Lee: Journalist probed after HK police received complaint

HONG KONG – Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday said the Hong Kong police were investigating a journalist because a complaint had been filed against her.

Answering questions from the media, Lee said the inquiry into the complaint against journalist Choy Yuk-ling, a producer for Radio Television Hong Kong, was no different from any other police investigation.

"It is a case which is investigated as a result of a complaint. If police receive a complaint, they have to act accordingly and do investigation according to what the complaint is all about. It is a reactive investigation as a result of a complaint," Lee said.

"It is the case's circumstances which decide which is the subject of investigation. This is no different from any investigation that the Police have been doing as a result of a complaint," he added.

Also on Wednesday, Lee told the Legislative Council (LegCo) that the police attach utmost importance to the discipline and integrity of police officers.

Replying to questions from LegCo member Andrew Wan Siu-kin about police conduct, Lee said the Hong Kong Police Force have an established mechanism to regulate officers' discipline.

He said the police will not hesitate to undertake a disciplinary review against any breach of discipline and impose appropriate penalties.

"Police management will not tolerate any acts of breach of the law or discipline by police officers. Supervisors are required to carry out stringent supervisory duties," Lee said.

"The police will investigate all cases of breach of the law or discipline in a serious manner, handling them fairly and impartially," he added.

As for those police officers who were reportedly criticized by the courts for their performance in giving evidence, Lee said the police will consider the comments and see if any follow-up action is required.

"Where the court deems it necessary to refer the case to the Department of Justice for follow-up, the police will conduct an investigation according to the actual situation," Lee said.

He also noted that a court's refusal to accept evidence from a witness testifying in a criminal trial could be "due to different factors" – like a witness' unclear memory - and should not be hastily concluded as "a breach of law."