Ex-top Cop Says Officers' Jailing Hurt Him Deeply

Former Hong Kong police chief Andy Tsang said on Friday that his heart sank when he learnt that fellow officers had been put behind bars merely for "doing their jobs" during the 2014 Occupy protests.

But he admitted that the officers may have committed mistakes while carrying out their duties.

Tsang was referring to the jail sentence given to retired superintendent Frankly Chu for assaulting a bystander in Mong Kok, and seven officers who were jailed for kicking and punching an activist who was tied up and lying on the ground.

All eight are currently on bail as they appeal against their convictions and sentences.

Speaking exclusively to RTHK on the sidelines of a meeting in the capital of Beijing's top advisory body, the retired police commissioner also said he backs introducing new legislation to outlaw insults against officers, saying it's time to begin studying the matter.

Tsang said long before the 2014 Occupy movement, he had observed the need for such a law.

He said the legislation would not be needed if society was harmonious and people respected each other, but that may take a long time and require a lot of effort.