Former police sergeant gets community service order for fraud and concealing debts

A former police sergeant was sentenced to 220 hours of community service for fraud and making false declarations when applying for continued service application and credit union loans.

The 48-year-old defendant Lam Kong-lung admitted concealing an outstanding debt of HK$710,000 when applying for a loan with the Hong Kong Police Credit Union in 2018, where he was granted a loan of HK$62,000.

He also admitted to concealing a debt of HK$710,000 in 2021 when applying for the "Continued Service of Police Officers Beyond Prescribed Retirement Age Scheme," a scheme allowing non-directorate level police officers over 55 years old to extend their retirement until they are 60.

Lam has pleaded guilty to one count of using documents with intent to deceive and one count of fraud in January.

In sentencing at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, acting Principal Magistrate Andy Cheng Lim-chi said he "deserved another chance" for pleading guilty.

Police told Singtao Daily, The Standard's sister newspaper, that Lam left his position as a police sergeant in 2023. They added that the force attaches great importance to the conduct of officers, and any type of illegal behavior will be handled seriously and never be tolerated.