Hong Kong police officers, staff recognised in honours list for efforts during city’s anti-government protests

Police force wins 94 awards in recognition of its performance during the social unrest that rocked the city last year

Bernard Chan, the Hong Kong leader’s top adviser, awarded the city’s highest honour while health care workers recognised for work during pandemic

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Rupert Dover was among police officers commended by the chief executive. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 12:02am, 1 Oct 2020Updated: 2:21am, 1 Oct 2020

Hong Kong police officers and staff make up some 14 per cent of the honours awarded by the city’s leader this year.

The government handed out a record 687 awards in its honours list this time – the most since the system was launched in 1997, breaking the high of 444 in 2009.

The police force, often at the centre of controversy over its handling of anti-government protesters, won 94 awards in recognition of its performance during the social unrest that rocked the city last year.

Bernard Chan, 55, convenor of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s Executive Council, and who ran her election campaign in 2017, was awarded the top honour – the Grand Bauhinia Medal – for his “insightful advice and innovative ideas in the [government] policymaking process”, as well as “his exemplary contribution to good governance across a very extensive spectrum of public affairs over the years”.

Executive Council convenor Bernard Chan. Photo: Nora Tam

Chan was among four prominent figures from the political, business, and community services sectors to be granted the top honour.