My Take | ICAC investigation should be welcomed

The police’s anti-riot efforts since early June have been controversial, none more so than what happened on the night of July 21 in Yuen Long. What is ironic is that the furore stems from what they didn’t do rather than what they did. It has deepened the mistrust between the public and the police.

On that night, gangs of suspected triad-linked thugs attacked anti-government protesters and bystanders indiscriminately, first at a mall, then on an MTR platform and even inside a train. The attacks were carried out in two waves. Each time, police either didn’t show up or arrived too late.

There have been allegations that police deliberately turned a blind eye or even secretly colluded with the attackers. Top brass explained there was not enough manpower as most officers were tied up dealing with demonstrators in Western district on Hong Kong Island. Critics, especially opposition pan-democrats, have challenged the police’s version of events.

Now, the Independent Commission Against Corruption has set up a special unit to investigate what really happened. The public should welcome the probe, which will hopefully clear the air or otherwise uncover serious wrongdoings. There seems to be a prima facie case at least for dereliction of duty and misconduct in public office. As the anti-graft agency is independent of the police, its probe will be more credible.

Since June, police have had to work under extremely difficult conditions and face unprecedented criticism and complaints, most of which is unfair and self-serving, especially those from anti-government protesters and their supporters.

Meanwhile, top government officials from Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor down seem to have taken a leave of absence. That leaves the police to deal with an increasingly assertive and even violent protest movement that has shown no sign of dying down.

But as many people have pointed out, the current crisis cannot be resolved through law enforcement. There can only be a political solution. Yet, neither the opposition nor the government has shown any leadership capable of moving things forward. That means police will be trapped in this untenable position for a while yet. There is every danger that some officers in even the best-trained force will lose morale and crack.

Every modern police force needs to be monitored and kept within bounds. But we must also call out the hypocrisy of those who exploit criticism of police to gain political leverage and advantage.