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History of the Hong Kong Police Force

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398: 703:(big head, green coat). By 1900 dark blue had become standard, although the style and headdress still varied according to the race of the police officer. The conical hat of Chinese personnel disappeared after the 1920s, and similar khaki drill (summer) and navy blue uniforms (winter) were worn by all personnel. Both Chinese and European officers wore the same black peaked caps with silver badges. The Sikhs however continued to be distinguished by red turbans. White tunics were worn by police bandsmen and senior officers for ceremonial occasions. 289: 281: 77: 344:
of grip in both public and private sectors, and officials with strong values and Victorian concepts of management and discipline were sent to raise standards. Strong leadership, both of Hong Kong and of the force, began to pay dividends towards the latter part of the 19th century, and business prospered accordingly. Piracy on the seas was a constant challenge for the Water Police.
36: 179: 476:. The 1950s saw the start of Hong Kong's forty-year rise to global eminence. Throughout this period, the Hong Kong Police had successfully tackled many issues that had challenged the city's stability. Between 1949 and 1989, for example, Hong Kong experienced several huge waves of immigration from mainland China, most notably the period from 1958 to 1962. 672: 558:
arrived in Hong Kong, putting considerable strain on police resources – first for the marine police who intercepted them, then for the officers who processed them and manned the dozens of camps in the territory, and lastly for those who had to repatriate unsuccessful asylum applicants
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For several decades, Hong Kong was a 'rough-and-tumble' port with a 'wild west' attitude to law and order. Consequently, many members of the force were equally rough individuals. As Hong Kong began to flourish and make its place in the world, Britain began to take a dim view of the government's lack
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in 1974 was the prime one. After teething troubles, including a mass walkout by officers in 1977, by the early '80s a combination of the ICAC, firm police management, better emoluments and an amnesty had succeeded in destroying the overall culture, removing powerful figures, educating against greed
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Corruption emerged as a prominent issue in Hong Kong in the 1960s; the Hong Kong Police—as did almost every government department—experienced this and it peaked between 1962 and 1974, involving officers of all ranks and ethnicities. Motives and opportunities for corruption were many and varied, but
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Chinese were recruited as constables, and this went on until the early 1960s. The last European inspectorate officers joined in 1994. The first female inspector joined in 1949, followed by the first intake of Woman Police Constables in 1951 - currently about 14 percent of the force is female, being
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While cap badges and other insignia changed with the ending of British rule, the basic khaki drill and navy blue uniforms of the colonial period remained in use. Up until about 2020, when a year-round blue uniform was adopted, the Hong Kong Police continued to wear two seasonal uniforms - a khaki
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After the war, the mechanism of government in Hong Kong was in shambles; no men or equipment, devastated buildings and important resources like intelligence files, fingerprints, criminal records and personnel documents all lost or destroyed. The Water Police had four barely serviceable launches.
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mainly included poor pay and worries about China invading and abolishing pensions, while opportunities resulted from the vibrant growth in economic progress and its industrious, self-starting people were forming thousands of small street-level businesses all ripe for "protection."
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sparked by labour disputes, instability in China and Japanese militarism. When war came again in 1941, an unknown number of police officers and reserves - Chinese, Indian, European and Eurasian - had their lives taken by the Japanese during both the main conflict and the
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In July 2022, for the flag raising ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the handover, the Hong Kong Police Force and all Hong Kong Disciplined Services, ceased to use the parade drills and English verbal commands inherited from their colonial past. Instead, the
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For months, cadets and officers had practiced at Fanling Police College under the supervision of Chinese soldiers of the PLC stationed in Hong Kong. It was also noted that the bagpipers from the Hong Kong Police Band did not take part in any ongoing ceremony.
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The Hong Kong Police was officially established by the colonial government on 1 May 1844, and the duties of the magistrate and head of police were separated. At the time of its establishment, the police force consisted of thirty-two men. The
620:'s appointment as the Commissioner of Police in November 2019, the police force changed its motto from "We serve with pride and care", which had been used for more than 20 years, to "Serving Hong Kong with honour, duty and loyalty." 479:
The most serious challenge to the force has been civil disorder. In 1956, supporters of the China Nationalist movement defied government regulations providing the pretext for the eruption of conflict with
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thereby generating the foundation of today's structure and philosophy. The proposals included equality in recruitment and promotion for local officers and the cessation of recruitment of European
641:, charged with investigating and arresting offenders for NSL violations. Edwina Lau, Deputy Commissioner of Police (National Security), is tasked to head the unit. The department's number 2, 547: 94: 49: 347:
Responsibility for the city's prisons passed out of the control of the police in 1879. The 1890s brought challenges, both operational and organisational - there were outbreaks of
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drill summer uniform (tan for women officers) and a navy blue uniform for winter, with constables and sergeants wearing blue shirts and more senior staff wearing white ones.
1141: 998: 645:, was caught by colleagues during an anti-vice raid on an unlicensed massage parlour in April 2021. The police later cleared him of "wrongdoing" but he remains on leave. 648:
In November 2020, the Hong Kong Police Force launched a hotline where residents can report breaches of the national security law that China imposed earlier in the year.
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technology and biometric identification products feature in the arrangement, and will be utilized in 32 city police force branches and three immigration locations.
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On 1 July 1997, when China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, the "Royal" prefix was removed from the force's title, changing it to "Hong Kong Police Force". The
716: 513: 320:. Policemen from different ethnic groups were assigned a different alphabetical letter before their batch numbers: "A" for Europeans, "B" for Indians, "C" for 542:
income to boost their meagre wages. Members of the police were offenders with the highest profile and took most opprobrium. It took the determined stance of
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During this time, the police, along with members of departments like Public Works, Fire, Transport and others, all had their own distinct methods of earning
1101: 1024: 610: 546:, together with Commissioner Charles Payne Sutcliffe, to instigate the firmest of measures to eradicate syndicated corruption—and the establishment of the 847:... the Force changed its title on 1 July 1997 to the 'Hong Kong Police Force' and adopted a new crest, replacing the royal crown with a bauhinia emblem. 55: 528: 200: 187: 1185: 911: 512:. For its determined and successful efforts in suppressing this lengthy insurrection, the Hong Kong Police were granted the "Royal" prefix in 1969. 141: 113: 301: 785: 656: » of the People Liberation Army of the PRC was used. Officials stated that this was a way to "show patriotism to the motherland". 414: 120: 634: 421:
Nevertheless, the situation presented an opportunity to "start from scratch" and after the 'British Military Administration', during which
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in 1997, the Hong Kong Police Force (formerly the Royal Hong Kong Police Force) has since been responsible for serving the city.
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In August 2022, the Public Relations Wing announced that it would monitor public opinion online and fight "fake news".
627: 134: 192: 87: 1102:"Hong Kong Police Arrest 4 for Alleged National Security Breach Under New Law | Voice of America - English" 601:. The Hong Kong Police Force has faced allegations of misconduct, including the use of excessive force, in both 280: 964: 609:, leading to several lawsuits filed in October 2019 against the HKPF for allegations of misconduct. A range of 594: 473: 440: 409:
From 1942 to 1945, Japan occupied Hong Kong and the HKPF was temporarily disbanded and replaced by Japanese
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workers instigated long and bloody riots. The Hong Kong Police lost ten men during the turmoil which saw a
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On 30 April 1841, twelve weeks after the British had landed in Hong Kong, orders were given by Captain
288: 754:(in Chinese (Hong Kong) and English). Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2012 602: 509: 485: 444: 497: 484:
activists and sympathisers - serious disorder was suppressed by the force with assistance from the
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The headgear worn during the 19th century varied according to ethnicity: European officers wore
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Police officers in summer uniform. Everything, except for the shorts, was used until about 2005.
972: 825: 781: 773: 692: 555: 355:(an additional 356sq.miles of land) in 1898–99, created difficult, but surmountable problems. 337: 256:(HKPF) was officially established by the British colonial government, the same year that the 563: 543: 448: 1068: 798: 428:
headed the force, Hong Kong was in a position to stand on its own feet again in May 1946.
352: 745: 799:"Chapter 4 Changes to the Policing Model and the Return of Hong Kong to China 1994–1999" 1233: 381: 377: 297: 257: 724:
Kam C. Wong. Policing in Hong Kong: History and Reform (CRC: Taylor and Francis, 2015)
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composition of the inaugural force consisted of mixed Chinese, European nationals or
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to establish a police force in the new colony. The first chief of police was Captain
999:"police failed to display ID numbers, as security chief says uniform has 'no room'" 539: 517: 369: 329: 313: 240: 826:"4) Changes to the Policing Model and the Return of Hong Kong to China 1994–1999" 680: 373: 269: 76: 671: 380:. In the 1920s and 1930s, Hong Kong's general peace was punctuated by bouts of 912:"Police fire tear gas and baton charge thousands of Occupy Central protesters" 653: 617: 613:
left the force's popularity plunging after 2014, but even more so after 2019.
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In April 2012, the Hong Kong Police Force publicly confirmed a ten-year
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Hong Kong Police Swaping British Footdrills in Favour of PLA Goose Step
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In the 2010s, the police force played a prominent role in handling the
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represented in all ranks between constable and assistant commissioner.
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broadly supported them, and they were implemented under Commissioner
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to become the Commandant General of the Royal Hong Kong Police.
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A group of Hong Kong native policemen in the late 19th century.
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Carroll, John Mark. (2007). A concise history of Hong Kong.
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in 1914 saw many European officers enlist and return to the
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History of the police force under British and Chinese rule
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passed out of the duties of the Hong Kong Police Force.
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suggested that this change would curry favour with the
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ten-month campaign of insurrection, bombing and murder
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Emblem of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force (1969─1997)
264:. While changes have been implemented throughout the 695:. All of them, however, shared the same olive green 566:was also changed, replacing the royal crown with a 472:In 1945, firefighting responsibilities passed to a 101:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 721:Kam C. Wong, Policing in Hong Kong (Ashgate, 2012) 548:Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) 372:in 1911 brought civil unrest, and the start of 1051:"From Asia's Finest to Hong Kong's Most Hated" 717:Historic police station buildings in Hong Kong 304:, who also served as the Captain of the Chief 284:Hong Kong police officer, early 20th century. 8: 551:and increasing instances of accountability. 886:"Police fired at least 3 teargas canisters" 64:Learn how and when to remove these messages 582:with the 3M Cogent company to develop the 699:in winter - giving rise to the nickname, 554:In the 1970s and 1980s, large numbers of 351:in 1893–94; whilst the annexation of the 226:Learn how and when to remove this message 161:Learn how and when to remove this message 203:of all important aspects of the article. 1069:"New top cop spells out plan of action" 740: 738: 734: 110:"History of the Hong Kong Police Force" 1049:Sataline, Suzanne (1 September 2019). 199:Please consider expanding the lead to 637:in mid-2020, the force established a 7: 1116:"National security body established" 99:adding citations to reliable sources 492:broke out over a price rise on the 611:controversies involving the police 435:Hong Kong on 8 December 1941, the 25: 413:, which was headquartered at the 45:This article has multiple issues. 1120:Hong Kong Government news portal 1023:Lau, Chris (16 September 2019). 523:In 1961, the responsibility for 177: 75: 34: 1090:. 23 November 2019. p. 24. 635:Hong Kong national security law 250:history of the Hong Kong Police 191:may be too short to adequately 86:needs additional citations for 53:or discuss these issues on the 201:provide an accessible overview 1: 866:. AVISIAN, Inc. 11 April 2012 324:, and "D" for recruited from 252:originates in 1841, when the 997:Cheng, Kris (20 June 2019). 691:, and Chinese officers wore 639:National Security Department 415:Legislative Council Building 328:. "E" was later assigned to 268:(PRC) since the transfer of 628:central government of China 1274: 599:2019–20 Hong Kong protests 529:customs, and excise duties 468:Second half of the century 266:People's Republic of China 963:Qin, Amy (14 July 2019). 586:arm of the organization. 1029:South China Morning Post 916:South China Morning Post 746: 633:With the passage of the 595:2014 Hong Kong protests 516:was appointed by Queen 445:Governor Sir Mark Young 1253:Hong Kong Police Force 1238:Hong Kong Police Force 834:Hong Kong Police Force 804:Hong Kong Police Force 676: 441:John Pennefather-Evans 437:Commissioner of Police 406: 293: 285: 254:Hong Kong Police Force 245: 18:Royal Hong Kong Police 674: 667:Evolution of uniforms 580:contractual agreement 474:separate fire brigade 400: 291: 283: 243: 1258:History of Hong Kong 1146:Hong Kong Free Press 1003:Hong Kong Free Press 788:. p 123-125, p 129. 95:improve this article 1075:. 20 November 2019. 918:. 29 September 2014 498:Cultural Revolution 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