Let the force do its job

It is becoming increasingly easy for Hong Kong society to go to opposite extremes as many incidents start with good intentions but somehow develop into confrontations between two sides representing opposite extremes with little if any room for compromise. The recent disputes over primary school teacher Lam Wai-sze’s verbal abuse of police officers on duty offer a ready example of such confrontations.

Lam’s outrageous behavior toward police officers on duty drew strong condemnation from numerous members of the public and scattered applause from like-minded anti-social extremists. One has to wonder what good there is for Hong Kong society in such unwarranted confrontations. Will name-calling help an ill-advised teacher come to terms with her mistakes and mend her ways in terms of professional ethics and human decency? Can a swearing match between her supporters and detractors make it easier for the police to do its job?

The Hong Kong Police Force has always been a politically neutral lawenforcement unit of outstanding efficiency in maintaining public order in the city. Our police officers are under growing pressure to remain politically neutral while performing their responsibilities in upholding the rule of law as well as protecting the freedoms of speech, assembly and association. It is already very hard for them to maintain a reasonable balance between protecting public interest and respecting certain individuals’ basic rights these days. It will be practically impossible for them to do their jobs well if disputes keep escalating into violent confrontations. We must do our best to stay calm and reach common understanding through peaceful exchange of views.

The critical question is what Hong Kong society really wants. Is it escalating confrontation or peaceful dialog? This author believes the great majority of Hong Kong residents will pick the latter. Let’s avoid confrontations and make it easier for the police force to do its job!