Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3016384/hong-kong-police-should-admit-when-they-are-wrong-if-they-want-have Letters
Hong Kong police should admit when they are wrong if they want to have our trust
- From searching hospitals to beating unarmed protesters, Hong Kong’s police have been caught doing wrong and their defensive reactions to criticism aren’t helping
A police officer swings his baton as he restrains a protester outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong early on June 10. Photo: AFP
It is understandable that morale is very low in our police force, given that a large portion of the community has shown distrust and even anger towards them. Unfortunately, some of the police’s recent moves are not helping to build trust or harmony.
The Junior Police Officers’ Association (JPOA) issued a statement to condemn members of three professional groups who criticised some officers’ behaviour when trying to search and arrest suspected protesters in our hospitals. Saying that the accusations are unfounded and biased is not very wise. A number of policemen were involved in the various hospitals. Have they all made sworn affidavits that they had not engaged in this alleged behaviour?
It would take multiple negative responses to prove that the criticism is wrong, while a single piece of positive evidence can prove the criticism of the professionals to be correct. The JPOA, by making such a high-profile declaration, can help soothe its upset members, but further aggravate confrontation with the majority of the populace. And, if later they are proven wrong, that will only further erode trust in our society.
It is even more dumbfounding that police station services in some hospitals have been suspended, apparently in reaction to complaints by some hospital staff. Are these police stations a service to the public? Or is it just a service to some of the medical staff in our hospitals? This sounds more like children throwing a temper tantrum.
We teach our children to trust our policemen because they stand for justice and are there to protect us. Trust is earned and is not an entitlement upon entering the profession. I must say that the huge majority of our officers warrant our trust. Unfortunately, there are always black sheep in any group, be it police, doctors or lawyers.
There is little dispute that seven policemen attacked an unarmed demonstrator after his arrest during Occupy Central in 2014. To restore public trust in our policemen now, the perpetrators should stand up and bear the consequences of their lapse of judgment.
A video on the internet showed how, on June 12, an unarmed female demonstrator who retreated too slowly was charged to the ground by a group of policemen. As she curled up on the ground, about six policemen violently beat her repeatedly with their batons and shields. Is this defensive behaviour or are they trying to subdue an aggressive demonstrator? It is much worse than the seven policemen who apparently were getting revenge for having some liquid thrown at them by a male demonstrator. We teach our children to be honest, acknowledge their mistakes and apologise. Can someone be their role model?
Our society needs more love and harmony, not lies and hatred.
C.W. Chan, North Point