Viet raid risk fears set to be raised with A-G

WIDESPREAD police anger over inadequate safety in Vietnamese transfer operations will be raised with the Attorney-General by the Deputy Secretary for Security, Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai.

Mrs Yau told staff associations at the Police Force Council yesterday there was no policy saying charges would not be laid against Vietnamese in the lead-up to 1997.

The Government was responding to a protest from police and Correctional Services Department officers about the decision not to prosecute at least four Vietnamese who were identified on video committing assaults in a riot at Whitehead detention centre on May 20.

Senior Assistant Commissioner (Personnel and Training), Tony Mullins, said staff had put forward a vigorous argument.

'Obviously, some strong views were put forward by the staff on that decision not to go ahead with charges,' Mr Mullins said.

'As far as police management is concerned, we share the officers' concerns for their safety.

'We support them and we highly appreciate their professionalism in these matters, and their restraint.' During the meeting, Mrs Yau insisted nobody was above the law and each case would be assessed on its merits.

But she agreed to take up the matter with Attorney-General Jeremy Mathews to stress the officers' fears.

The combined protest was lodged by the Junior Police Officers' Association, the Local Inspectors' Association, the Expatriate Inspectors' Association and the Superintendents' Association. They will consider the Government's response before deciding whether to take further action.