Respect police officers

A primary school teacher's verbal abuse of police officers keeping public order in the street has triggered heated debates throughout the city. The incident has gripped so much attention because it concerns a popular moral standard, civic character, a teacher's quality and the dignity of the police force.

The overall standard of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is very high. It is a highly disciplined law-enforcement unit dedicated to serving the public justly and fairly with adequate tolerance for different opinions as well as ample respect for people's individual rights and interests. It is safe to say the HKPF is one of the best police forces in the world.

There are many countries in the world where the presidents and legislators are all elected by popular vote, but are they "true democracies" as some people claim? One can reach their own conclusion by looking at how their police forces do their jobs, whether human rights are well protected as well as how well their administrative and judicial systems operate.

For example, it has been three years since the Manila Hostage Crisis, in which eight Hong Kong residents were murdered and seven injured by a discharged Philippine policeman, who held them hostage for 10 hours before shooting them in cold blood. The victims and their families have not been given the closure they deserve to this day.

It is the police's job and responsibility to maintain public security and order anywhere in the world. The HKPF has done an excellent job protecting Hong Kong residents' lives and properties. Imagine what would have happened if the police officers did not show up to keep the situation under control in Mong Kok the other day.

The teacher's name-calling incident should be wrapped up as soon as possible, but it will always remind us: respect the HKPF and respect police officers on duty, please!

The author is a current affairs commentator. This is an excerpted translation of his article published in Hong Kong Commercial Daily on Aug 16.

(HK Edition 08/17/2013 page6)