Top cop decries 100 days of abuse, humiliation

Police Commissioner Stephen Lo says the force will never shy away from upholding the law without fear or favour. File photo: RTHK

Police Commissioner Stephen Lo has sent a message to all his 30,000 officers conveying the force's "deep appreciation and gratitude" for their efforts over 100 days of protests in the face of what he described as tremendous stress, provocation, humiliation and false allegations.



Lo said the past few months will have been the "most unforgettable" for many officers, and the events of this summer will be "well remembered" in the force's history.



He said anti-government protesters have "maliciously targeted" officers and obstructed them from carrying out their duties.



"I fully understand the extreme danger and the tremendous stress that each and every one of us has been under over the past 100 days," he said.



"In this trying period, we may have been frustrated by lack of family time due to prolonged working hours; we may have been exhaused by working in arduous conditions for extended hours; we may have been humiliated by frequent provocations from the protesters, we may have been aggrieved by false allegations and defamations," Lo said in his note.



"Above all, we may have been worried about the potential threat to our family's safety and emotions".



Lo said he wanted to reiterate that the force would continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that officers are able to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, and their welfare – along with that of their families – will be well taken care of.



He added that the police have always been the agency of first and last resort in Hong Kong.



"Our community is counting on us to steadfastly uphold law and order without fear or favour and we will never shy away from this task."