IPCC deputy secretary-general Daniel Mui (left). Photo: RTHK
The police watchdog has criticised the force for keeping a local tour guide on bail for months after the case against her hit a dead-end. The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) also urged officers to be more careful in granting bail to non-residents.
The guide had lodged a complaint with the IPCC after police required her to extend her bail four times over a five-month period, after she was caught up in a fight between two mainland tourists and their guide in Tsim Sha Tsui in 2012.
She was arrested along with the two tourists, and a passerby who also intervened, for fighting in a public place.
The two tourists then jumped bail before any charges were laid, while the passerby was unconditionally released. Further attempts to locate the two mainlanders failed.
The IPCC’s deputy secretary-general, Daniel Mui, said there was no justification for keeping the guide on bail, adding that she should have been released because the evidence against her was so thin.
The internal police complaints unit, the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) originally dismissed her complaint against the officer involved, but overturned its ruling that his decision was “fair and reasonable” following the IPCC review. It has since found the neglect of duty allegation to be substantiated, and has given “advice” to the inspector.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1216867-20151012.htm
