Hong Kong sees more complaints against police

Hong Kong saw 1,660 complaints against police officers in the first 11 months of this year, a 4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the Independent Police Complaints Council announced on Tuesday.

The police watchdog said today it had received 1,660 complaints about Hong Kong police by November this year, 61 more than last year.

The major complaint types are "neglect of duty" and "misconduct, improper manner, and offensive language," accounting for up to 95 percent of the complaints.

The watchdog said complaints about "neglect of duty" have increased by 58, or 5 percent, when compared to last year. Complaints about “unnecessary use of authority,“ meanwhile, stood at 22, five less than the previous year.

Frankie Yick Chi-ming, vice-chairman of the Council, said a majority of complaints cannot be verified, adding that complaints made “in the heat of the moment” are unfair to the police force.

Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, the watchdog’s chairwoman, meanwhile, urged citizens to provide their names and other details when filing complaints.