Don’t vent extradition bill fury on Hong Kong police, security chief John Lee tells protesters after force HQ besieged
- John Lee decries what he says were acts of vandalism and harassment at recent siege of force’s HQ
- Police chief adds that, despite his officers’ tolerant approach to recent action, unlawful acts will not go unpunished
Lee made the remarks as he met the press alongside Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung at the headquarters in Wan Chai. It was the first time the two officials had commented on the protests outside the compound, during which the building’s facade was vandalised and the outer walls defaced with abusive graffiti.
The minister said that while he, the city’s leader and the justice chief had apologised for deficiencies in the government’s work on the legislation, police officers had nothing to do with those failures.
“Even if you are dissatisfied with any [work] of the government, I hope you will not vent it at the police force,” he said.
“It is the police officers’ job to maintain public order … I hope people will not put the force and society on opposing sides.”
Hong Kong extradition bill protests at justice minister’s office
Lee reiterated he would not accede to protesters and community leaders’ demands for a commission of inquiry into the June 12 clashes, saying that was a job for the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC).
Lo warned that while the force tolerated the protests on Wednesday, it did not mean unlawful acts would go unpunished.
“We chose to be tolerant, because we made decisions based on the public interest and the interest of our colleagues. But it does not mean demonstrators will not bear any consequences for their violent and illegal acts,” he said.
Lee, who was a deputy police commissioner before joining the Security Bureau as undersecretary in 2012, said that, during the six-hour protests from Wednesday into Thursday morning, some demonstrators destroyed fences and barricades near the police headquarters, harassed a police officer who he said was trying to go to work, and aimed strong lights and laser beams at officers’ eyes.
“This could cause bodily harm,” he said.
Just like the [protesters], most of the frontline officers are young people. They chose this occupation to serve the community … I believe that there should be mutual respect
Citing Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, he said: “When you require others to respect your rights, you must also respect the rights of others.”
He said he hoped the public could respect the force.
“Police officers are part of society, and Hong Kong is the home of all Hongkongers,” he continued.
“Just like the [protesters], most of the frontline officers are young people. They chose this occupation to serve the community … I believe that there should be mutual respect.”
