New police division for Hong Kong mass protests sparks fears community relations will worsen

Pro-Beijing lawmaker praises unit as helping make evidence collection more professional, but pan-democrats worry about political oppression

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Rioting last year in Mong Kok, one of Hong Kong’s most densely populated areas, was cited as a reason for the new police division. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 8:45pm, 22 Oct 2017Updated: 3:58pm, 23 Oct 2017

A new police division set up under Hong Kong’s organised crime bureau in the wake of mass protests and rallies has sparked consternation from lawmakers and activists who claim community relations and official practices will worsen.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday revealed the new team was prompted by lessons learned from investigating the Mong Kok riot last year.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said the new unit started partial operation on July 1. Photo: Nora Tam

“Experience in areas such as evidence collection, which the new team will make use of, is important for investigating organised actions and relevant cases,” he said.

The riot broke out on the first night of Lunar New Year last year and lasted more than 10 hours. In total, 91 people were arrested, with seven found guilty of rioting.

The new unit, coded D Division, started “partial operation” on July 1 under the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, a police spokesman said, adding it was created in view of “the global trend of terrorism” and the force’s “experience in tackling massive disasters and cross-district public events”.

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