Gregory Lau Tat-keung: the outspoken policeman who would not be silenced
Retired officer was determined to stand up for his beliefs, even if it meant sacrificing the chance to rise through the ranks
Before he was catapulted into the media spotlight at last month's pro-police rally in Mong Kok, Gregory Lau Tat-keung was better known as a veteran negotiator who had, in his 36-year career, always talked suicidal people out of killing themselves.
Looking back at the chaotic August 4 rally and the subsequent debate over the police force's impartiality and officers' political rights, the retired officer describes the event as "a political awakening for policemen".
He says about 2,000 off-duty and retired police officers attended the march.
"More police officers will now register as voters and pay more attention to current affairs. They will cast their votes for mild and peace-loving candidates in the coming elections," Lau, 55, tells the South China Morning Post.
The march was triggered by an online video of primary school teacher Alpais Lam Wai-sze verbally abusing police officers in July over their handling of a dispute between members of spiritual movement Falun Gong, which is banned on the mainland, and the pro-Beijing Youth Care Association.
Scuffles broke out between the police supporters, who were marching against Lam's treatment of the officers, and Lam's backers, who saw the police as being biased towards pro-establishment groups.