Hong Kong police’s outgoing deputy chief urges officers to treat residents ‘like family’ but remain wary of national security threats, signs of ‘soft resistance’
- Deputy Commissioner for Operations Albert Yuen concludes 37-year career on the force with call for improving relations with the public
- But he says officers should stay on guard against any signs of ‘soft resistance’, warning that no compromise can be made on national security
The outgoing Hong Kong police deputy commissioner has appealed to officers to treat people in need like family members to win over hearts and minds, but has warned them to be on the alert for national security threats and deal with signs of “soft resistance”.
Deputy Commissioner for Operations Albert Yuen Yuk-kin, who will retire on Tuesday, said he hoped officers would think outside the box and show empathy when carrying out their duties.
He stressed that sincerity in solving Hongkongers’ problems would be key to improving the force’s relations with the public.
“When handling pleas for help, if our colleagues can be compassionate and put themselves in residents’ shoes, perhaps treat them like family members seeking help, [then] … I believe from the bottom of my heart that this would make the force’s relations with the public more effective,” Yuen said.
The 57-year-old also defended the force’s tough approval processes for demonstrations since the social unrest in 2019.
He highlighted the public still enjoyed freedom of speech and free assembly as long as the rights of others were respected.
“When it comes to voices of opposition, I completely understand that, as Hong Kong residents enjoy the freedoms of speech and assembly. However, the turning point comes at any signs of soft resistance,” he said.