Undercover operations pay off

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Among the trickiest and most difficult of law enforcement operations are those that involve an officer going undercover to secure evidence against law-breakers, especially those involved in organised crime and triad activities.

The Commissioner's Operational Targets for 2003 contain a commitment to "maintain the fight against triad-related violence" by "continuing to mount strategic undercover operations".

Undercover operations are necessary largely because of the difficulties in securing stronger evidence against the actual organisers and perpetrators of crime (triad-related or otherwise). The lack of credible evidence against them makes prosecution an extremely difficult exercise.

But, experience has proved that undercover operations, though being highly risky, usually bear fruit, especially those mounted against triads. Few appreciate these better than Senior Inspector Mr Addy Li Chi-kin of the New Territories South Regional Crime Unit.

In an interview with Mr Li, OffBeat asked him for the secret of his success.

"There is no secret," he said with modesty. "The training and selection process that we all have undergone have given us the skills and knowledge to do all that is required of us. But the handler does have to be extremely conscientious and he must establish a strong rapport with his undercover agents. It's almost like an ideal relationship between a caring father and a talented grown-up son. Anyway, our personal safety is the most important factor we assess all the time."

Operation Against Youth Crime

Mr Li said his most interesting but rather bizarre assignment was an undercover operation against youth crime codenamed "Bluesheep", which had some truly hilarious moments. "The operation involved putting an undercover operative into a Form Three class to gather evidence about intimidation, extortion and bullying in billiard halls, video games centres and playgrounds. Of course, for this we needed the co-operation from the headmaster of the school, who arranged the undercover officer to join the school in June 2001. But, when my undercover arrived just after the beginning of the school term, fellow students immediately nicknamed him 'undercover agent' because of the similarity and popularity of a local film in which the actor also acted as a secondary school student to collect intelligence.

"When this was reported to me, I had to decide whether or not to go ahead with our long-planned operation. With the agreement of the undercover agent and approval from my seniors, it was decided that we would and that he must brazen it out. He did so and, because he was a very good football player, he gradually won the trust and respect of his 'naughty' peers and was allowed to join in their activities. His nickname stuck, however, even among the triad 'big brothers' to whom he was subsequently introduced.

"I was posing as the guardian of my cousin (the undercover), so when he played truant with other miscreants, or deliberately scored low marks in exams, his form master summoned me to the school. He then berated me for being a poor role model and lectured me on how to wean my 'ward' away from a life of crime. He was so concerned about the welfare of my 'ward', and so professional in the advice he gave me that I was tempted to let him know the true situation. Of course, I didn't.

"Eventually, the case was brought to a close in June 2002 when more than 30 students were arrested together with 20 outsiders, mostly active triad members. On this occasion, considerable use was made of 'Superintendent's Discretion' and I am happy to say that most of those accorded with that privilege appeared to have turned over new leaves. The rest of the students and the outsiders were later convicted of more serious triad related offences and sentenced to appropriate terms of detention in September 2003."

When it was all over, Mr Li continued, he and his undercover agent explained the situation to the form master who took it all in good part. Fortunately, he was also able to pass a message to the headmaster for the teacher's conscientious dedication to duty and his determined effort to save his "ward" from a life of crime.

Mr Li saw planning undercover operations and handling undercover agents as extremely challenging tasks.

"The handler must be professional and decisive. The officer working as undercover is totally dependent upon his handler looking after his safety and welfare while he is collecting intelligence and evidence. If he becomes psychologically stressed, he must receive appropriate counselling from his handler. It is, however, usually a most rewarding task. You can be certain that there will be arrests at the end of the operation and that you will have helped to make Hong Kong an even safer city for its law-abiding citizens and visitors," he concluded.

CP Mr Tsang Yam-pui presents a commendation to SIP Li Chi-kin in recognition of his good work