Hong Kong Customs blazes trail for women in law enforcement with first female officer tipped for top role
- The Post is told Louise Ho, assistant commissioner at Customs and Excise, could take over at the top job in three years’ time
Louise Ho Pui-shan is set to take over the second most powerful job in customs, the Post has learned, putting her on track to lead the government agency in about three years, which would make her the first woman to rise through the ranks to head one of Hong Kong’s disciplined services.
More women are expected to follow in her footsteps and take up senior roles within the uniformed ranks as more of them join up and old gender stereotypes are discarded, an academic said.
Ho, the Customs and Excise Department’s assistant commissioner in charge of boundary and ports, will take up the deputy position next month, according to a senior government source. The 50-year-old is expected to ascend to the top post when the current commissioner, Hermes Tang Yi-hoi, retires in late 2021.
“Ho has extensive experience in investigations. Her outgoing personality also fits the top post. She’s a tough lady and we believe she can lead the 7,400-member department,” the source said.
“The succession also fits the philosophy of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who, when she was elected last year, vowed to promote more people from within the administration and more women leaders.”
