'Rising star' set for high-profile job

Former police Special Duties Unit chief Chan Sze-tat will be the new police PR head, sources said.

The appointment comes as deputy police commissioner in operations Albert Yuen Yuk-kin, 57, will retire on August 16.

It is understood that current deputy police commissioner in management Joe Chow Yat-ming, 50, will fill Yuen's shoes, and in turn will be succeeded by Johnson Chan Joon-sun, 50, currently director of operations.

Joe Chan Tung, current assistant commissioner of police public relations, will succeed Johnson Chan as director of operations.

The force's public relations branch was first established in 1967 but it was upgraded to Public Relations Wing in July last year as part of the force's move to enhance its public image.

Chan Sze-tat, 47, currently assistant commissioner of support, will become the new PR Wing chief.

Local media reports in April speculated the position would be filled by Damon Au Wing-leung, current Wan Chai district commander.

But it is understood that Au will instead take over Chan Sze-tat's position as the new assistant commissioner of support.

Chan is seen as s "rising star" in the force. After graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he joined the police force in 1997 as an inspector.

He has served in various divisions including the Special Duties Unit, Police Tactical Unit, Security Wing, and as personal assistant to former police commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung.

Chan was promoted to the rank of superintendent in 2017 and had been the deputy commander of the Sha Tin district and commander of the Airport district.

Upon his promotion to the rank of chief superintendent in 2019, he assumed command of the Wan Chai district and later became chief superintendent of support.

In April, Chan was promoted to assistant commissioner of support to take charge of the Support Wing.

Chan has received training at training institutes in the mainland and overseas, including the China Executive Leadership Academy, Australian Institute of Police Management and University of Cambridge.

He holds two Master's degrees, one in counselling and the other in applied criminology and police management.

In February, Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee saw his term extended by two years until April 1, 2025.

The government said it was to "facilitate a smooth transition" of the senior police management.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com