Just Saying | When you disrespect Hong Kong police, you don't deserve to be treated gently by them
Yonden Lhatoo says an online video of a Hong Kong family’s tirade directed at an officer shows a contempt for authority that must not be tolerated
I came across a shameful viral video online last week showing a Hong Kong police officer being verbally abused by a family he had pulled over for a traffic offence.
The 2½ -minute clip, taken from inside the family’s vehicle, shows the young officer writing up a ticket while a belligerent man, woman and child yell at him to hurry up. The man launches into one of the foulest tirades I’ve heard in Cantonese, bringing the officer’s anatomy, mother and entire family into the expletive-laden equation.
The policeman takes his time with the booking, but does nothing about the aural assault. I’m impressed by his self-control and composure, but also incredulous that the police force allows its frontline personnel to put up with such vile abuse.
What’s even more appalling is that this family decided to show off their “victory” over the policeman and post the video clip online. Talk about delusional self-righteousness. Their only saving grace is that they had to post a follow-up apology after triggering a barrage of condemnation from other internet users.
Let me say this to those three people in the vehicle, including the child, and anyone else in Hong Kong who might take their side: You have no idea how lucky you are to live in a city policed by such gentlemen.
Imagine if this had happened in the world’s “greatest” democracy, the United States, which often lectures us on human rights. Someone would have been manhandled, tasered or perhaps even shot dead.