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Hong KongLaw and Crime

Hong Kong police operations chief plays down furore over minister’s remarks that officers ‘are not always the good guys’

Chris Tang calls for mutual understanding and vows force will serve public ‘wholeheartedly’ as he accepts development secretary’s explanation

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Police Director of Operations Chris Tang. Photo: Edward Wong
Karen Zhang
A senior member of Hong Kong’s police force sought to play down the recent furore over a minister who said “not all police officers are the good guys”, as he gave reassurance on Saturday that officers’ morale remained high, citing good rapport with the public.

Chris Tang Ping-keung, police director of operations, said while he understood the feelings of frontline colleagues concerning comments made last week by Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun, outsiders might see the matter differently.

Speaking on a radio programme, Tang said: “We understand the concern and feelings of our colleagues. In fact, the minister has already explained himself and reiterated his appreciation and support for police.

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“We will continue to work wholeheartedly for the Hong Kong people.”

The minister has already explained himself and reiterated his appreciation and support for police
Chris Tang, police operations chief
Wong, a former deputy security chief, was holding a sharing session on social issues with young audience members at the Hong Kong Book Fair when he quoted a famous Japanese author Keigo Higashino: “Criminals are not necessarily all bad guys – there are many objective factors behind a crime or reasons to be sympathetic. Likewise, not each and every cop is a good guy.”
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The remark ruffled feathers at the Junior Police Officers’ Association, which represents two-thirds of the 30,000-strong force in Hong Kong. In a letter to the development minister, group chairman Lam Chi-wai said Wong’s comment “deeply hurt officers’ confidence”.

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