bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Letters

There was a time when the Hong Kong Police Force was regarded as Asia's finest. Many would have argued that it was the best in the world, but that is no longer the case.
All the good that has been done over the years was undone by the deplorable events of September 28, when officers fired tear gas at protesting students exercising their democratic right to free speech.
The world's media and internet users transmitted those brutal images within minutes of the tear gas canisters being fired into the crowd. The force's image and public trust built over the years were, understandably, destroyed.
It is now time for the police to demonstrate to the doubting public that they are the defenders of the people; not the political tool of the government.
The force needs to show that it is there to protect the rights of individuals. That is the only way it can regain the trust it has lost.
There have been claims police colluded with triad members and anti-Occupy Central people to stir up trouble within the Occupy Central movement.
The fact that there is a suspicion that the countermovement to Occupy Central has been orchestrated by the government and police, or at the very least condoned by them, is a reason to further divide and polarise our society.
The latest incident on October 15, with the alleged assault by officers on a protester after clearing Lung Wo Road of demonstrators, has thrown further oil on the fire.
I am a well-known local singer, gay rights activist and convenor of a new organisation, Hong Kong Shield. It comprises cultural, entertainment and academic sectors to promote democracy and prevent any form of violence used against the public during this "umbrella movement" period.
We not only condemn the unnecessary force the police have used against protesters, we condemn any form of violence, tangible or intangible, used against any individual in a free and open society.
The police investigation into the alleged attack on October 15, and previous alleged attacks, must be independent and thorough. The report on the findings of the investigation must be made public as soon as possible.
We further demand that the police publish the guidelines the force follows for the use of pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets, and insist any future use of these weapons must follow international standards.
Anthony Wong Yiu-ming, convenor, Hong Kong Shield


Police must work to restore public trust after tear gas attacks

The police need to show that they are there to protect the rights of individuals. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

There was a time when the Hong Kong Police Force was regarded as Asia's finest. Many would have argued that it was the best in the world, but that is no longer the case.
