Hong Kong police plan to ‘stick to soft approach and exercise restraint’ after 15-hour siege by protesters against extradition bill
- Muted tactic praised for avoiding clashes but concerns raised over morale of force, as observers note some protesters had clearly broken law with impunity
- Force wary of deepening public mistrust following June 12 crackdown
Hong Kong police plan to stick to their restrained approach towards anti-extradition bill protesters despite a 15-hour siege of the force’s headquarters that ended only early on Saturday morning, the Post has learned.
While the more muted and controlled tactic was praised for successfully avoiding clashes, some observers and officers also raised concerns over morale in the force, pointing out that laws had been broken with impunity while officers stood by watching.
For hours throughout Friday, police were reduced to standing silently behind glass doors and windows as protesters threw eggs at their Wan Chai headquarters, painted graffiti over the building’s walls, blocked the exits of the compound and flashed laser beams at them.
In the aftermath, the force appeared to have taken several measures to bolster spirits, including distributing inspirational videos of colleagues and paying closer attention to the physical needs of employees.
“At this stage, we will continue to remain tolerant until protesters use force to storm police lines and pose a risk to the public,” a source in the force told the Post.
At this stage, we will continue to remain tolerant until protesters use force to storm police lines and pose a risk to the public
