Police donation fund 'may be for legal support' of suspended officers
Two major police unions have made a call for donations to support officers whose livelihoods have been hit by the Occupy pro-democracy protests.
Two major police unions have made a call for donations to support officers whose livelihoods have been hit by the Occupy pro-democracy protests.
But one police insider suggested yesterday that the fund was in fact intended to provide legal support for seven officers suspended pending an investigation into the alleged beating of Civic Party activist Ken Tsang Kin-chiu by officers.
The Junior Police Officers' Association and the Hong Kong Police Inspectors' Association set up the welfare foundation with the blessing of the police commissioner. They are seeking contributions from members and other officers until November 20.
Chan Cho-kwong, chairman of the junior officers' group, said Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung had approved the move last week. He said applicants would be assessed by a six-member panel. A decision on whether to support the officers involved in the beating allegation would rest with the panel.
"The purpose of the donation is to help those fellow officers whose families and whose own well-being have been affected by the Occupy movement," Chan said. "The most likely use of the money is to help those who are injured during the action, or to help officers requiring funds for legal assistance."
But a police source suggested the fund had really been set up partly as a legal fund for seven officers who have been suspended pending investigation into allegations they beat Tsang after his arrest. The source added: "But it would be politically difficult to be seen to do it for that purpose."
