Shift in police tactics? Ex-commander of elite ‘Flying Tigers’ squad to be new operations chief overseeing handling of Hong Kong’s protest unrest
- Frank Kwok will swap posts with current assistant police commissioner in charge of force’s operations to bring ‘innovative’ tactics to drawn-out battle
- Source says move does not signal that police will increase degree of force against protesters
A former commander of the elite Special Duties Unit, known as the Flying Tigers, will become the police force’s operations chief under a management reshuffle aiming to strengthen handling of the city’s ongoing protest crisis, the Post has learned.
The move comes as Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung is expected to retire in a month, and his successor has yet to be named.
According to a senior police source, New Territories North regional commander Frank Kwok Yam-yung would swap posts “very soon” with assistant police commissioner Terence Mak Chin-ho, who is currently in charge of operations.
“We need wisdom in this battle and innovative tactics to deal with the cunning rioters,” the source said. “The battle is expected to last a long time. If we leave officers to cat-and-mouse chases on the streets, how many can they arrest?”
Kwok was an assault diver and group leader in the SDU in 1993, and became its commanding officer for four years, starting in 2006. He also headed the Airport Security Unit, the Police Tactical Unit and received training from overseas military organisations such as the Australian Special Air Service. The Post was told Mak was originally being groomed as a future police chief.
The insider said given Kwok’s rich experience in operations, he could bring more “surprising” ideas and tactics to the table, but that did not mean “more aggressive strategies”.
“Tactics are more crucial than the use of force. We need more tactical options and flexibility,” the source said.