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Closing ranks

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The cynical view of the scrapping of the Police Complaints Council bill is that the Government never had any appetite for it in the first place.

There has always been a reluctance to introduce changes that will make the police more accountable. Last year security officials rejected proposals to introduce an independent complaints mechanism, but it was hoped they were prepared to grasp a milder nettle with this bill. Apparently not.

The anger of legislators is fully justified. They have spent many hours debating an important piece of legislation that is long overdue and much needed. Furthermore, there is no logic in the argument that officers' morale could be damaged by the inclusion of independent monitors on the complaints team. If increased transparency is a virtue in open government, how can it be harmful when applied to the police? It is more likely that outsiders would enhance the credibility of the complaints procedure. In its present form, it is regarded as more of a mechanism for closing ranks than a disciplinary body dedicated to maintaining the high standards of the force.

Hong Kong's police are well-esteemed in the community, but they are not perfect. There is widespread disquiet about the frequency with which complaints of brutality or misconduct are dismissed by the Complaints Against Police Office. An amendment to allow legislators to call back cases if not satisfied with an official investigation is a reflection of how ineffectual the office is believed to be. If a lay person officiated, it might cut down some of the scepticism.

The constitutional correctness of the move to scrap the bill does not make their action any less deplorable. It is a shabby end for the elected legislature when the Government which did so much to champion democracy takes action which is less than democratic.

Public morale is vital too, especially when an unelected legislature is in the offing. Hong Kong is accustomed to a lively council which sets the pace. It does not relish a lap dog which is banned from barking if it does not do the Government's will.

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