Heads of three major Hong Kong police associations have expressed their recognition of Hong Kong police's professionalism and restraint displayed over the past period of time.
They have also voiced their confidence in safeguarding the foundation of the rule of law and social stability in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Since June, some radical protesters have violently charged police cordons, besieged police stations and committed vandalism, but the police have shown professionalism and exercised restraint with the use of appropriate force to cope with the situation, said Chan Man-tak, chairman of the Superintendents' Association of Hong Kong Police Force, on Thursday.
The police have done so to avoid escalation of conflicts and further damage to society, Chan said.
Compared with police responses to similar violent law violations in some countries and regions, the Hong Kong police have currently resorted to the minimum use of force, said Lam Chi-wai, chairman of the Junior Police Officers' Association of the Hong Kong Police Force (JPOA).
"Many police officers are working more than 10 hours each day. And they are also under tremendous mental stress for being assaulted by radicals on social media," Lam said.
"Even so, they are still working hard and sparing no effort to safeguard social stability," he said.
Noting that many police officers have sacrificed their time with family, some were even wounded in operations, Chan said the police officers will not be discouraged by the hard work and difficulties.
Chan also expressed hope that some foreign and Hong Kong media will not adopt "double standards" when covering relevant incidents.
At a press conference held on July 29, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council expressed understanding for the Hong Kong police force and their families for the tremendous stress they have been under. The spokesperson also extended respect to Hong Kong police officers.
Noting that the spokesperson's remarks have boosted the confidence of the Hong Kong police force, Wu Wai-kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Police Inspectors' Association (HKPIA), vowed to bring all the lawbreakers to justice.
Chan, on his part, also called on Hong Kong residents to oppose and resist violence and law violations of the radicals and to better safeguard Hong Kong's rule of law and social prosperity.
Noting that the police are capable of handling any violent incident caused by radicals in Hong Kong, Lam expressed firm confidence in safeguarding Hong Kong's social order and protecting residents.
Wu said the police will focus on detaining radical protesters as well as publishing more information to inform residents of possible dangerous locations and warn them against law-violating behaviors.
The Superintendents' Association, the HKPIA and the JPOA have over 400 personnel, 2,000 and 20,000 members respectively. Enditem
