Hong Kong police watchdog's credibility under fire over Occupy Central assault ruling against superintendent

The police watchdog faces a credibility crisis after asking members to reconsider a ruling that a retiring superintendent assaulted an Occupy protester, following objections from the force.

In a closed-door meeting on July 10, members of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) ruled by 12 to six that Franklin Chu King-wai, who was divisional commander for Sha Tin at the time, committed assault when he hit Osman Cheng Chung-hang with his baton.

Upon receiving a reply from the police's internal Complaints Against Police Office (Capo) on Friday, which contained an amended investigation report with "new arguments", the IPCC's secretariat sent an email asking members to "respond to the case again", said an IPCC spokesman. Members will be sent the Capo documents today and must reply by Wednesday.

"As to whether or not there is a need to call another meeting … there has been no decision," the spokesman said yesterday.

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If the IPCC and Capo cannot agree a ruling on a case, both parties need to submit a report to the chief executive.

Cheng said he would be disappointed if the IPCC overturned its decision.