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CAPO vindicates innocent officer
 Breathing relief: PC Au Pak-chuen. Inset: ACP SQ Harry Blud commends the CAPO sleuths |
Most officers might feel a touch anxious at the mention of the Complaints Against Police Office. And so did Tsuen Wan Patrol Sub-unit Team Two Police Constable Au Pak-chuen.
However, he recently changed his attitude after a complaint filed by an illegal immigrant was proven false in an impartial investigation by CAPO New Territories Office Team 10.
The man received head injuries when arrested in Tsuen Wan by New Territories South Emergency Unit officers on September 23 last year. He was repatriated after medical treatment, but a month later he was intercepted at the border where he allegedly assaulted a Police officer. He was charged and sentenced to 15 months jail. He lodged a complaint alleging the head injuries were caused by PC Au attacking him with a baton during the arrest. But investigations revealed PC Au did not even take part in it, he only stood guard over him at Yan Chai Hospital before taking him to Tsuen Wan Police Station the next day.
An arresting officer and a witness verified the head injuries were caused by an accidental fall. CAPO laid charges against the complainant who was found guilty on June 22, and sentenced to another four months.
PC Au said he would never forget what happened, adding the incident taught him a lesson in exercising extra care while on duty.
"I just don't know why I was accused by that guy. I did not even touch or talk to him. I was really depressed, especially when he identified me as the assaulting officer. It seemed I was transformed from a law enforcer to a suspect," he said.
PC Au thanked his superiors and colleagues for their support and trust during the investigation, and applauded the good work of the CAPO officers who were also praised by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Service Quality) Harry Blud who presented letters of commendation to Chief Inspector Charlie So Chak-hung, Woman Senior Inspector Jacqueline Yao and Sergeant Shum Hing-leung on July 14.