CE visits police officers (with photos)

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, visited the Hong Kong Police Force this afternoon (January 31) to learn more about its recent situation, and met with the police officers who were injured earlier while handling the illegal violent incidents to give them her regards. The Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (CPGLO), Mr Luo Huining, was also there to express his regards. The Deputy Director of the CPGLO, Mr Yang Jianping; and the Director-General of the Police Liaison Department of the CPGLO, Mr Chen Feng, were present.

     Accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Mrs Lam and the officials visited the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai and the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, where they met with over 100 police officers in total to know more about their work. Noting that police officers have done a large amount of work over the past year, ranging from curbing violence to fighting the epidemic, she said that their work deserves full recognition. In particular, following the implementation of the National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the Police Force has shouldered the vital and honourable responsibility of safeguarding national security. On the unreasonable sanctions by the United States administration against a number of colleagues of the Police, who are charged with the duty to safeguard national security, Mrs Lam conveyed to colleagues the warm regards from President Xi Jinping expressed during her reporting of work last week.

     The Police Force has taken an active part in the prevention and control of the epidemic, including assisting the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health in tracing close contacts with the Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System. Mrs Lam and the officials visited the relevant office and learned that the system has to date helped with the investigation of 65 cases or clusters, and has identified more than 28 000 contacts. The Police Force also deployed a large number of officers from different police districts to support the operations on compulsory testing at specified "restricted areas" in various districts in recent days.

     The police officers who met with Mrs Lam included some who were injured when handling the illegal and violent incidents earlier. Praising them for their bravery in the face of violence, Mrs Lam expressed her regards and wished them a speedy and full recovery. Among the recipients of honours and awards in 2020, more than 100 of them  were members of the Police Force.

     "The reputation of the Police Force was seriously tarnished during the social unrest. I am pleased to note that the Force has been enhancing the public’s understanding of the work of the Police to restore people's confidence in the Force through various means in recent months. With the restoration of stability in society and commitment of police officers on the frontline to protect the safety and health of members of the public, I am sure that the Force will have the support of the general public," Mrs Lam said.
      
     Mrs Lam also took the opportunity to thank the CPGLO for its long-standing support for the work of the Force, and wished everyone at the event a healthy and happy Year of the Ox.