Exclusive | Hong Kong police No 2 Chris Tang expected to take over as city’s top cop next week
- New police commissioner has to deal with violent protest clashes, restore confidence in force
- Officer with an ‘iron fist against crime’ has been seen on Hong Kong streets during unrest
Hong Kong’s deputy chief of police, Chris Tang Ping-keung, is expected to take command of the 31,000-strong force on November 19, at a time of unprecedented social unrest and deepening public mistrust of law enforcement.
The Junior Police Officers’ Association (JPOA), which represents 80 per cent of the force, has urged Tang to make pushing for a law against insulting public officers his first priority.
“We should be protected from being humiliated while on duty,” association chairman Lam Chi-wai said.
Pan-democrats said restoring public confidence in the force must be the new chief’s main priority, with police under fire for allegations of “uncontrolled brutality”.
Members of the pro-Beijing camp praised Tang for his humility and iron fist against crime, and acknowledged that he had his work cut out for him battling anti-government protesters. They also expected him to restore the police force’s good reputation.
The Post understands the government will make a formal announcement of Tang’s appointment in due course.