CPC Series:
Types of public complaints against Police

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(This is an essay by Station Sergeant Yuen Wai-han)

Some nine months have passed since my transfer from the Police Training School to the Kowloon Office of the Complaints Against Police Office.

During this period, and with my experience in handling complaints of various nature while serving as a member of the CPC, I have learned a lot about complaints against the Police, which are mainly attributable to:

(i) false accusations directed against the Force;

(ii) misunderstanding resulting from failure to comprehend the law;

(iii) the arrested person finding a means to escape being punished;

(iv) retaliation against certain Police officers;

(v) fault on the Police side; and

(vi) Police officer not being conversant with the law or work procedures.

I remember while I was in the PTS, I used to teach about prevention of complaints against the Police. In fact, to avoid complaints, it is essential for us to behave ourselves by being courteous, fair and just; and demonstrate our professionalism through enriching our knowledge on law and work procedures. Even though things are easier said than done, we must nonetheless exercise extreme care and be courteous when dealing with the public

Nowadays, even the Government and other public organisations are endeavouring to provide customer-oriented services, and attach great importance to politeness. If we want to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding and complaints, or minimise their occurrences, we should be more courteous by saying "please", "thanks for your co-operation", "sorry" and the like, and patiently explain the law and our work procedures in our contact with the public.

Despite our best efforts to avoid complaints, we would still be targets of complaints. But don't be upset and never give up!

So long as we are innocent, CAPO will mete out justice fairly and impartially.