Top Police Official Appointed As Next Ombudsman

Deputy Police Commissioner Winnie Chiu has been formally appointed to take up the post of Ombudsman starting from April 1.

She will be serving on a five-year term and will succeed the outgoing watchdog chief Connie Lau.

Chiu, who was 20 years old when she joined the police force in 1983 as an inspector, went on to become Hong Kong's first ever female deputy commissioner. She was due to retire in August.

In a statement, the government said Chiu has over 35 years of experience in the police and she has accumulated rich experience in investigation, operations and policy planning.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam added that she is confident that Chiu will be able to demonstrate impartiality as the new Ombudsman.

Lau announced last year that she will not be seeking a second term and is due to step down on March 31. She said she wants to spend more time with her family.

According to the Ombudsman Ordinance, the Ombudsman is eligible for reappointment. While the first ever Ombudsman, Alice Tai, was reappointed for a second term in 2004, her successor, Alan Lai, only served one term from 2009.

Meanwhile, Senior Assistant Commissioner Kwok Yam-shu has been promoted to take up Chiu's post following her expected departure.

Kwok, 53, will become the deputy commissioner from March 4.