IPCC Drops Plan To Have Judge In Probe Panel

Hong Kong’s independent police watchdog dropped its own idea of inviting a judge to help with the investigation into police action on June 12, saying the person may not be able to discharge judicial duties.

The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) chairman had mooted the idea after critics questioned the watchdog ability to conduct an impartial probe and its lack of authority to achieve this.

Explaining his decision, Anthony Neoh said: "Once a judge sits as a member of this committee, it will be difficult for him to do his judicial duty."

"Even if it is a retired judge, most retired judges sits a few months a year as a deputy judge or a non-permanent judge in the Court of Final Appeal. So it takes him away from his duties," he explained further.

"The two doesn't mix very well as far as I am concerned," he throwing more light into the decision. "Here in fact we are performing our duty under the IPCC ordinance."

But Neoh said the IPCC will nevertheless launched an investigation into the series of anti-extradition bill protests from June 9 to July 1.

It has received 110 complaints so far linked to the protests. The watchdog assured that it will be listening to members of the public and police as part of this study.

Neoh said a report on the investigation will be ready in six months and he hopes to publicise it by then.