THE Royal Hong Kong Police Force was accused of 'underhand double dealing' yesterday for sacking a detective who gave evidence for a friend accused of drugs trafficking.
Undercover officer Au Yeung Kwok-hing, 40, who won several commendations during his 19-year career, was made to take early retirement after he was convicted of bringing the force into disrepute at a disciplinary hearing.
But yesterday the former detective sergeant launched a legal battle to get the tribunal's decision overturned. His counsel Neville Sarony, QC, told the High Court the detective got into trouble after agreeing to act as a character witness for his friend, Christopher Chau, at a drugs trial in New York.
Mr Chau, 40, who Mr Au Yeung had known since their schooldays, was jailed for one year after he was convicted of conspiracy to traffic heroin in July 1990.
Under police regulations officers must apply for permission before giving evidence in a court case.
When the district attorney in the New York trial asked Mr Au Yeung why he had not done so, the detective said he had forgotten.
But Mr Au Yeung, who was involved in drug and triad-busting operations, agreed to continue testifying, saying he was prepared to breach regulations because he was convinced Chau was innocent.
