Police launch inquiry into apparent suicide of suspect
The Hong Kong Police Force has launched a probe into a possible security lapse after a suspect — who allegedly raped and robbed a young woman earlier this week — died following an apparent suicide in his cell on Thursday.
According to police, the man hanged himself inside a cell at Sau Mau Ping Police Station using the ethernet cable from a computer.
Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung said the police were very concerned about the incident. A regional crime unit from different parts of the city has been deployed to launch a full investigation into the case.
An autopsy will be carried out and a subsequent report submitted to the Coroner’s Court.
Lo explained that officers have to follow strict guidelines when dealing with suspects in custody, including body searches and cell inspections. This is to protect suspects’ safety and prevent any violent behavior by suspects.
The police will also investigate the procedures involved in this case and whether there was any negligence, Lo said.
Investigation into the alleged rape and robbery would also continue, Lo added.
According to Police General Orders (PGO), the duty officer decides on the type of body search to be used based on what offenses detained suspects may have committed, their criminal record, the level of violence they exhibited and whether they showed any suicidal tendencies.
There are three levels of body search protocol — non-removal of clothing; removal of clothing and removal of underwear, according to the PGO.
The duty officer also has to produce a record of all custody searches conducted on people who are detained, according to the PGO.
Currently, there are no surveillance television cameras in cells due to privacy concerns. Officers inspect those in custody on an hourly basis, according to police.
The suspect, 48, surnamed Lam, was arrested at nearby Po Tat Estate on Wednesday.
He was believed to be unemployed; Lam had a record of more than 20 criminal offenses including theft and drug-related ones.
On Sunday he was said to have snatched a smartphone from a 22-year-old woman using a Kwun Tong Road footbridge on her way home. She gave chase and when she reached the bottom of the footbridge Lam, who had been hiding, allegedly grabbed her. Police said he then tied the woman’s wrists together with the phone cable and raped her. Lam then stole her phone, two bank cards and an identification card, before leaving the woman, police said. She managed to free herself after three hours.