Letters | Is Hong Kong Police Force marching in step with high public esteem?

Report on dishonest officer at the airport is the latest in a string of incidents that regrettably calls into question the quality of the city’s police force

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Probationary inspectors and recruit constables attend the police passing-out parade, at the Hong Kong Police College in Wong Chuk Hang on February 16. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 6:30pm, 20 Feb 2019Updated: 6:30pm, 20 Feb 2019

I am writing in response to the article, “Police officer arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on suspicion of stealing wallet containing HK$50,000 from lost property” (February 14). As a student who is proud of our police force, I was extremely disappointed that an officer had been accused of such action, and I strongly believe that the selection process for new members of the force should be more strict.

The incident involved a wallet found by an airline employee at the arrivals hall baggage collection area who then handed it to the police report centre. Hours later, when the owner went to the report centre to claim the lost property, the money was discovered to be missing. An investigation found the police officer had been dishonest.

Police officers have the power to maintain law and order, which they can use in the exercise of their duties. However, incidents like that at the airport will only make people lose trust in the police. In recent years, the number of police officers being arrested and tried on different charges has been on the rise. This goes to suggest that something is lacking in the quality of the force, and that police officers are not as upstanding as they used to be.

We need stronger job screening for police officers, including mental health checks to ensure that applicants are really willing to serve the people. Besides, the police force should institute a yearly questionnaire to gauge officers’ morale and mindset. The force could also launch activities to instil positive values and attitudes, and a greater sense of responsibility among officers.

Brian Fong, Tsuen Wan