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SCMP Reporter

What do you think of the rise in complaints against police?
I feel a loss of confidence in the police because of the growing number of complaints ('50pc rise in police gripes raises concerns', September 5).
I wonder how much we can rely on them to protect Hong Kong citizens given the number of negative comments that have been made. We need to ensure that officers are being properly trained and that they perform their duties in a conscientious manner.
If reforms are needed in the force, then they should be carried out.
Elaine Chan Yee-ling, North Point
I think most of the complaints against the police are irrational. 
Some people complain of officers being impolite, but do they ever look at it from the police point of view? I think if they did there would be fewer complaints. 
The fact is that when police are called out to deal with an incident, they will sometimes be treated impolitely. 
When they are on patrol and have suspicions about an individual, they will often ask for that person's identity card. 
That person may insult them and use foul language. Officers have no choice but to put up with this verbal abuse, because there are rules regarding their behaviour that they have to stick to. The police are under pressure every day.
I know some Hongkongers are struggling because of the financial crisis. They feel nervous and worried. However, they have to deal with these problems.  Animosity will not solve anything. 
Ivy Hui Ki-yan, Lam Tin
I think the increasing number of complaints should be a cause for concern for senior management in the police.  
Certain widely publicised incidents, such as the 'human roadblock' ('Police reconstruct roadblock amid concern at policy on illegal racing', September 6), have worried Hongkongers.
Such incidents harm  public confidence in the police force. It is important that officers are reminded of their roles in the force.
I appreciate that officers' workloads  can be a factor affecting their performance. 
Apart from bringing in new recruits, it is also important to help officers learn how to reduce the stress they feel, given that they have high-pressure jobs.
When they are undergoing their training, new recruits must be taught about the importance of having the right work attitude and  good manners. 
Priscilla Wong, Chai Wan
Are public transport services satisfactory?
I was not surprised to learn that the MTR feeder bus system was deemed the most satisfactory transport option, according to a recent survey ('Star Ferry and MTR see drop in ratings', September 4).
The reasons for this are clear.
Passengers find it convenient to take the MTR's feeder buses. In fact, convenience is the main factor when it comes to choosing a transport system. Also, some of the buses are free.  The standards of hygiene and comfort are also high.
According to the survey, commuters' satisfaction rate with the Star Ferry dropped more than 10 per cent in the past two years, as a result of its new Central pier being situated  next to the outlying island piers. Because of this, I find it inconvenient to take the Star Ferry nowadays.
Generally speaking, even though there is room for improvement, public transport services in our city are satisfactory.
Charlie Chan Wing-tai, Sha Tin
Should children get 15 years of free education?
The free education system  covers 12 years of primary and secondary school. This means that parents still need to pay fees for their children going to kindergarten and also have to pay for tertiary education.
Parents would like to see government subsidies covering the whole period of their children's education, but while this is a fine ideal, it is not realistic. It would place an enormous burden on the government's budget.
However, having three years of free education at kindergarten level is feasible. It would ease the financial burden faced by many parents, because kindergarten fees are  high.
Families could enjoy higher living standards if they did not have to pay these high charges for private kindergartens.
Also, I think that knowing kindergarten tuition would be paid might encourage more young couples to start a family, because whenever they are considering having a child, they have to take into account the costs that will be involved in bringing up a child. 
I think this would be better than the pre-primary education voucher scheme as a means of raising the falling birth rate.
Some may argue that the government should instead allocate this subsidy to tertiary education, rather than kindergarten. However, undergraduates can get jobs to help pay for their educational fees.
Also, the work experience would be valuable for them, because they would learn about what it will be like to have a job and they will find it easier to adapt to the workplace, after they graduate and join the workforce. 
Also, not all students can get a university place, so it might seem unfair if only some young people can get this subsidy.
Carman Chan Ka-man, Kwun Tong
What do you think of revisions to the drug-testing scheme?
The drug testing trial scheme in schools has proved highly controversial. 
The government is concerned about the effect drugs will have on the next generation. I appreciate that officials have thought about the feelings of students and decided that police will not be involved in the scheme. If police had been involved, then students who tested positive might have been unfairly labelled instead of being given a chance to reform. I am not so sure about the policy change under which  students who refuse to take the test will not have to submit to counselling. 
I think all aspects of the trial scheme should be carefully considered, and it should not be implemented hastily. 
Joey Cheung, Ma On Shan
On other matters...
I refer to the report ('Bruno advert too cheeky for MTR stations', September 8).
In my view, it is a problem for passengers seeing this poster 'advertising a controversial gay satire' in an MTR station, given that it is a public place. Some people seeing this poster might see it as being sexually provocative and suggestive. 
We have to appreciate that children, including teenagers, use MTR stations, and posters like this might exert a negative influence, especially the actual words that appear on the poster. Some people might see it as offensive to gays. 
Lee Ka-yin, Tsuen Wan



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