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Clifford Lo

Jess Ma

An off-duty police officer in Hong Kong is believed to have taken his own life by shooting himself with his service pistol in the New Territories, the Post has learned.
Police said emergency personnel were called in when a hiker found the injured officer lying beside a handgun in bushes near Muk Min Ha Tsuen, off Route Twisk in Tsuen Wan, at around 11.44am.
A police spokesman said the injured man was taken unconscious to Yan Chai Hospital in the same district, where he was pronounced dead.
A source familiar with the case said the man was a 39-year-old crime squad officer and had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
The insider said an initial investigation suggested the detective took his own life before he was scheduled to report for duty in Tsuen Wan police district in the afternoon.
He added that the detective had left behind some notes that included “goodbyes to his friends”, but none of the letters directly stated he was suicidal.
“A preliminary investigation suggested the officer took his own life due to emotional issues,” he said, adding that there was no evidence to suggest that it was work-related.
The New Territories South regional crime unit is investigating. A postmortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.
A police spokesman expressed sorrow and regret over the death of the officer and extended sympathies to his family members to whom help would be offered.
The spokesman also said that the management took a very serious view on suicide cases involving officers. Over the years, a strategy had been put in place to prevent suicide through building a caring, supportive and healthy lifestyle culture. A supportive and caring workforce culture was also promoted.
Clinical psychologists and force welfare officers were also in place to provide round-the-clock professional services and support.
The policeman was the second officer to have taken his own life in recent weeks.
On June 16, a 51-year-old officer killed himself with his firearm inside a changing room at a police marine division base in Sai Wan Ho.
The man, who the Post learned was a senior constable, was found injured with a service pistol beside him, but was later pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial investigation by the force confirmed his death was a suicide.
The force at the time expressed its sorrow and regret over the senior constable’s death, saying it would offer timely help to his family.
If you have suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 18111 for the government-run “Mental Health Support Hotline” or +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans and +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services.
In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.
Additional reporting by Danny Mok


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Law and Crime

Off-duty policeman found by hiker in New Territories trail at around 11.44am on Monday.


Suicides in Hong Kong

Hong Kong society