Over the past 11 months, the Force has been facing an unprecedented challenge. Throughout the trying times, all members of the Force have remained dedicated to their roles to maintain public safety and order. Meanwhile, from the “Thematic Study Report on the Public Order Events arising from the Fugitive Offenders Bill since June 2019 and the Police Actions in Response” recently issued by the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), the Force wishes to obtain advice on seeking improvement, in order to further enhance its professionalism when it comes to serving the public and ensure Hong Kong remains one of the safest and most stable societies in the world.

The Chief Executive held a press conference the same day the report was unveiled. She said, “I have spent a total of 10 hours to peruse the Chinese version of the report in one go and I commend the IPCC and its Secretariat on their devotion to duty and hard work. I also admire their effort in ascertaining the facts and repeatedly verifying the information by different means, with the aim of producing a report that is factual, fair and just. I hope all members of the public, regardless of their views and political stances on this social event, can evaluate this report without bias.”

She pointed out that the social event first transpired when the Government proposed to amend the “Fugitive Offenders Ordinance”. Later on, the movement was characterised by demands to withdraw the amendment bill, grant an amnesty to arrested persons, set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the Police and implement universal suffrage. Then, some people even went so far as to call for Hong Kong’s independence as well as foreign interference. Together with recent calls from both within and outside the Legislative Council to disband the Force, all these demands in fact harbour an agenda to endanger the governance of the Special Administrative Region. If these ever-spreading acts of violence are not nipped in the bud, the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and social stability will be on shaky ground, and Hong Kong will be plunged into a bottomless pit.

Answering questions from the media, the Chief Executive said, “Police officers do not have a role to play in politics. Their only role is ‘law enforcer’. Whether or not they are enforcing the law, Police officers who abuse or may have abused their statutory authority should also be held accountable in accordance with the law. However, it is very regrettable that the event has been plagued by numerous smear campaigns against the Police and allegations of ‘Police violence’, which are often weaponised in this protracted political protest. Even more undeservedly, the families of Police officers have become victims of attacks in all shapes and forms. As mentioned by the IPCC, the months-long event has dealt a crushing blow not only to the image and reputation of the Force at home and abroad, but also to public trust in the Police. I find this extremely saddening. In future, I hope all citizens can stick together, so we can repair relations between the Force and the public.”

Since June 2019, Police officers have all along stood fast at their posts without fear or hesitation, and spared no effort to perform their duties. The Secretary for Security expressed gratitude to Police officers for their efforts and contribution. The Security Bureau has been proactively coordinating support from other departments for the Police’s work, and striving for resources and welfare for the Force. Under the leadership of the Secretary for Security, the Special Constable scheme was launched in November last year so that members of other disciplined forces could join hands with the Police to curb violence and stop chaos. This month, the Special Constable scheme will be extended to all disciplined services departments. As for following up the Thematic Study by the IPCC, the Security Bureau will form a task force, as requested by the Chief Executive, to steer the work ahead and work with the Police to carefully study and effectively follow up the recommendations in the report, and will report to the Chief Executive regularly.

The Hong Kong Police Force accepts the report, and will actively take part in and fully cooperate with the task force steered by the Secretary for Security, to dissect and follow up the 52 recommendations in the report.