Police Commissioner Stephen Lo has said that a move to make officers patrol around two public hospitals, rather than manning official police posts, was a temporary measure owing to a “hostile working environment.”
As of Wednesday, police officers have been abandoning their posts at Yan Chai Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, with signs saying that people should call 999 in case of an emergency.
The move came after medical and legal sector professional groups criticised the force for arresting anti-extradition bill protesters who were seeking treatment at the two hospitals.
At police headquarters on Thursday, Lo confirmed that the police posts will not close permanently, but officers will patrol around the hospitals for the time being.
Lo said the measure was intended to reduce friction between officers and hospital staff.
“Over the past week, because of some political conflict, some political hatred has entered our workplace. My colleagues’ work at the police posts 24-hours a day. If it is a hostile environment, they cannot work properly,” he said.
He said the police will meet with top officials of the Hospital Authority on Friday to discuss cases of officers having difficulty at work and being treated impolitely. Lo added that the temporary measure will be removed soon if the situation improves.
Data leak
Meanwhile, police said they have discovered a website disclosing the personal data of police officers. The information was suspected to have been obtained by unlawful means.
The police were apparently referring to a site organised by people claiming to be from the hacker initiative “Anonymous.” It revealed names, phone numbers and addresses of more than 600 police officers.
“Over the years, we have been watching you. Your suppression of dissent; your criminal of violence; your violation of human rights, all of these things have caught our eye,” the website said. “Today, your use of firearms and biological weapons has clearly violated the ‘Hague Convention’ and the ‘Geneva Convention’.”
“Anonymous has therefore decided that your organization should be [rectified],” the website added. “If you continue the criminal [activity], finally, we will make known to [the public the] whole of your organization list.”
【星期三快訊】(2019-06-26)今晨，警方發現有網站發放涉嫌從不法途徑獲得的警務人員個人資料。若有人以不法手段獲得個人資料或在未經資料使用者同意下披露任何個人資料，已經可能干犯刑事罪行。警方再次強烈譴責這類型行為。This morning, police found a website disclosing the personal data of police officers. The data might have been obtained by unlawful means.If any person obtains personal data by unlawful means or discloses any personal data without data user’s consent, he/she may have committed a criminal offence.Police once again strongly condemn such behaviours.
Posted by 香港警察 Hong Kong Police on Wednesday, 26 June 2019
The message was seemingly referring to the use of force against protesters earlier in June. NGO Amnesty International said it had verified cases whereby the use of force by law enforcement had violated international laws and standards.
The police have said they strongly condemn the data leak and the Cyber Security & Technology Crime Bureau is investigating.
“The force reiterated that people obtaining personal data by unlawful means or disclosing any personal data without the data user’s consent, may have committed a criminal offence,” it said in a statement.
The Hong Kong Free Press #PressForFreedom 2019 Funding Drive seeks to raise HK$1.2m to support our non-profit newsroom and dedicated team of multi-media, multi-lingual reporters. HKFP is backed by readers, run by journalists and is immune to political and commercial pressure. This year’s critical fundraiser will provide us with the essential funds to continue our work into next year.
