Insulting acts against public officers will not be criminalized for now

Eunice Lam

The Civil Servant Bureau said it would not criminalize insulting acts against public officers in the current government term.

In a written response to the Legislative Council panel on public service, the bureau said the government has zero tolerance for insulting acts against public officers and acknowledged society's concerns against such acts.

It said civil servants should be respected for their professionalism and impartiality when serving the community.

"However, looking around in different jurisdictions, laws specifically prohibiting insults to public officers are not common. If relevant legislation is to be implemented it will be quite challenging and controversial, such as the question of what defines an insult," the bureau said.

It added that there were existing laws that prohibit acts that may hinder or harm civil servants, citing the disorder in public places offense under the Public Order Ordinance and "resisting or obstructing a public officer or other person lawfully engaged in a public duty" in the Summary Offences Ordinance.

"Having considered these circumstances, the government believes that there is no need to deal with the act of insulting public officers via legislation at present," the bureau said.

The bureau and Home and Youth Affairs Bureau have met civil service trade unions and explained the decision to them.

It said the administration will continue to utilize existing laws and enhance occupational safety measures, such as improving frontline law enforcement officers' equipment, as well as review relevant guidelines in using such equipment to prevent and reduce insults to officers.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com