On July 23, termed the “Great Heat” in the Chinese solar term system, the temperature in Shanghai peaked at 36.9 celsius degrees, which was doubtlessly not good news for the traffic police.

This was most especially so for the traffic auxiliary policewomen, who were officially on duty for the first time after their two-month probation period.

(A policewoman directs traffic at a main intersection.)

Jiang Tianyi, an auxiliary policewoman in the Hongkou traffic police detachment, is among the first auxiliary policewomen who have been openly recruited to the public security service.

Despite parasols being set-up at intersections, the auxiliary policewomen working could not seek refuge under them due to the busy traffic in the morning rush hour. On the sweltering hot day, Jiang, a post-90s lady, had to apply SPF 50+ sunblock once every hour, in case of sunburn. Along with the sunscreen, a water bottle, a small electric fan, some tissues and a bottle of toilet water were stuffed in her fanny pack.

(Working in the scorching sun, Jiang drips with sweat.)

Standing in the middle of the road, Jiang has no place to shelter in the brutal sun.“We have to stand on the road for half an hour each time, which equals about 10 changes of the traffic light. Of course, standing at the roadside is better, where we can take a drink of water in the shade.”

A nearby café provides the auxiliary police with a place to rest every 20 minutes. Despite her shirt being wet with sweat, to prevent sunburn she chose not to loosen her top button.

(Jiang recovers in the café with her coworkers help)

The auxiliary police have to set out early and return late, and their lunch is often finished nearby hastily. However, their changing room is about half an hour’s ride from the intersections. Once, an auxiliary policewoman was knocked down on her way to work, because she wanted to give way to a pedestrian who was jaywalking.

Despite all the difficulties, Jiang thinks standing on the road for six hours a day on average is enlivening and exciting. The boiling heat is a mere fly in the ointment, compared with the strong sense of justice in their hearts.

(The devices carried by the policewomen also need to be charged after a long and tough day.)