Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) has formulated a comprehensive and proactive public relations action plan for Operation SOLARPEAK in line with the Force Public Relations Strategy and Force Media Strategy. The plan covers three phases: pre-operation, during operation and post-operation.
Prior to the operation, senior PPRB officers met media representatives in a bid to enhance mutual understanding, with emphasis on the practices to promptly disseminate information on police actions through conventional media platforms such as PPRB Newsroom and an interactive platform, as well as other electronic platforms such as Police Public Page and HKP Mobile Application. Expanded PPRB Media Liaison Teams received enhanced training and took part in operational exercises.
On September 27, a large number of protesters started assembling unlawfully at different locations and obstructing the roads in various districts. Later, people having different views had scuffles on many occasions. PPRB officers closely monitored developments and prepared for taking on an unprecedented challenge.
Timely release of information
Upon commencement of Operation SOLARPEAK, effective communication with the general public was vital. Thus, police provided a lot of information to the public, such as the locations and situations of protesters, traffic impact, and appeals, advice and warnings to protesters. More importantly, PPRB provided the public with timely and detailed explanations of police actions and measures, and clarified misleading and unfounded allegations and rumours.
During the operational phase, PPRB issued press releases via an interactive platform. Up to October 7, 28 press releases or clarifications in connection with the operation were issued. Stand-up briefings given by Force spokesmen were arranged to announce important messages.
Force spokesmen also held daily press conferences to announce key messages, rebut unjust and unfounded allegations and answer media enquiries. Video clips of the conferences were uploaded daily onto the HKP YouTube channel to provide a convenient means for the public to view the contents.
PPRB also maintained close contact with staff associations and provided them with the press releases and video clips of the press conferences so that they would explain the Force's stances and progress of the operation to their members, the media and the public.
To beef up capability to respond to media enquiries, additional manpower was deployed to disseminate key messages and work out updated lines-to-take as the situation developed. Meanwhile, Media Liaison Teams were deployed at various locations to engage the media for co-operation, relieving the media communication workload of the frontline officers being occupied in the operation.
Enhance public understanding
Despite the hard work of the frontline officers, misleading and even defamatory information still circulated in the media or on the Internet. Besides press releases on the Force's lines-to-take issued via the above platforms, PPRB also arranged media interviews with the officers who worked on the frontline for long hours, handled confrontations in chaotic situations, and sustained injuries. The interviews reflected their experiences, feelings and difficulties to the public.
To ensure that the public would understand officers' roles from different angles, PPRB video recording teams recorded videos and the images that normally would not be shared by the public. With a view to boosting officers' morale, two video clips, known as "Regain•Because of You" and "Missions•Hong Kong Police", have been uploaded onto the HKP YouTube channel. They have attracted favourable comments and a high viewing rate.
Enlist public support
For Hong Kong's stability, officers did their utmost to maintain law and order, ensure smooth traffic flow, and protect life and property. Supporting staff also provided supplies and backup for officers working on the frontline.
For its roles in the operation, PPRB also demonstrated officers' professionalism and efforts to the public, enlisted public support for officers' work and sustained public confidence and faith in the Force.
PPRB Chief Superintendent Steve Hui commented, "The subject of public relations is always a highly challenging task. There was wide public support as officers displayed their resolution and confidence in tackling challenges. The positive results PPRB has attained are attributable not only to the unity and mutual support among our colleagues, but also our thorough preparation, which allowed us to achieve our objectives and the highest level of effectiveness. The operation is still underway but I am confident that the professionalism and efforts of our officers would help Hong Kong remain one of the safest and most stable societies in the world. I am also confident that upon conclusion of the operation, we would earn recognition and support from the community."
