Young Being Used For Political Gains: Police Chief

Hong Kong's police chief has accused "some people" in society of encouraging young people to break the law and engage in violent acts during anti-extradition protests in order to make political gains.

Addressing lawmakers during a Legco security panel meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Chris Tang said these people had shirked their responsibilities by making youngsters bear all legal consequences, and that such people have passed the blame for radicalising young people onto the government and police.

But when asked by Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting – who is suing the police over damages in relation to the July 21 Yuen Long attack – to come forward with evidence, the police chief said he was unable to provide any, saying that the perpetrators themselves would not put themselves in harm's way.

Tang went on to allege that such perpetrators use roundabout or "devious ways" so that police are not able to find evidence of their involvement.

When pressed further by Lam, Tang replied: "I said that many people are condoning these illegal acts and passing the responsibility to younger people, just like some of the Legco members who spoke just now."

Tang did not specify which Legco members he was referring to.

He also dismissed allegations of police brutality or arbitrary arrests, saying his officers were only performing their duties on occasions when violence broke out.

During the security panel session, Civic Party lawmaker Jeremy Tam also quizzed Tang about alleged breaches of the law involving three senior police officers with regards to their homes.

Tang said that the matter was being looked into by the relevant departments, that the police force was conducting its own internal investigation, and that they would also look into whether or not the alleged violations breach internal guidelines or the Civil Service Code.

Speaking to RTHK, Lam said: "Under PK Tang's governance, the performance and the integrity of the police force turns [from] bad to worse."

"It is the practice, the common practice recently, that the police force harbour their wrong-doers without taking any disciplinary action against them."