Hong Kong police quit posts at two city hospitals after complaining they were verbally abused over extradition bill arrests
- Tensions have reached boiling point with officers claiming they have been subjected to online hate campaign
- Lawmaker accuses force of putting retaliation above interests of general public
Police have been accused of being irresponsible and putting retaliation before Hongkongers’ interests for suspending round-the-clock services at their posts in two public hospitals, though sources said the steps were taken because officers have been verbally abused and were told they were not welcome.
Tensions between the police and anti-extradition protesters have reached boiling point, with hundreds of frontline officers and their families complaining of a public hate campaign against them, including posting their personal information online.
A petition by medical and legal professionals on Sunday, who accused the police of harassing hospital staff and arresting extradition bill protesters seeking treatment, even prompted the Junior Police Officers’ Association (JPOA) to say the Hospital Authority may as well cancel all police posts in every hospital.
On Wednesday, a police spokesman confirmed that officers originally stationed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei, and the Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan, have been instructed to just patrol in the vicinity.
“But they will return to the police posts regularly to provide services to those in need,” he said, telling the hospitals to dial 999 or contact nearby police stations if they need help.
The spokesman did not explain why the new arrangement was in place, but a force insider said it was because some hospital staff had indicated that the police were not welcome.