Latest news with #JoeChowYatming
South China Morning Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong police must be more transparent, but not when it harms probes: top cop
The public has increasingly higher expectations of transparency for Hong Kong police, the force's chief has said, outlining his plan to keep residents informed without compromising investigations. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming told the Post in an exclusive interview that one of the challenges facing the force was the higher expectations brought about by the rise of social media, which fuelled the demand for people to know more about police work. 'We have to be more transparent to let the public know, to understand our work. So at least after they understand our work, they will assist us,' Chow said. The top cop spoke on Friday after making community policing one of his four strategic directions upon taking office in April, alongside another goal to strengthen integrity, professionalism and values within the force. Community policing involves officers working closely with other stakeholders in the city. Chow said the force needed to further inform residents about its work to assure them that Hong Kong was still one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.
South China Morning Post
21-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong police chief vows technology push with robot dogs, CCTV and drones
Hong Kong's police chief has pledged to use more advanced technology to beat crime as part of his 'smart policing' strategy, revealing that the force is testing robot dogs at station cells and planning to expand drone patrols and install more street surveillance cameras. In an exclusive interview, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming told the Post that the force would have to make good use of technology in the modern era, but emphasised that automation would never replace human officers. 'Technology is something that we can ride on,' Chow said. 'We can make good use of it and see if we can save some manpower and enhance operational effectiveness, but it doesn't mean they can replace human beings.' The police chief made digital policing one of his four strategic directions for the 27,000-strong force after taking office in April, succeeding Raymond Siu Chak-yee upon his retirement. Three months into his tenure, the force has been increasing the number of surveillance cameras installed across the city has started a trial of drone patrols. Chow told the Post that police had procured a few robot dogs to explore how they could be used, with the force currently testing them by using them to conduct checks and patrols in detention cells at police stations. 'Even though now most of the detainees are aware of the CCTV, we still need some police to check the cells and to see if there's anything, maybe there are some blind spots,' he said.
South China Morning Post
12-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Value team spirit and unity, new Hong Kong police chief tells recruits
Hong Kong's new police chief has underscored the importance of unity in the 27,000-strong force at his first passing-out parade inspection, while revealing that recruitment has risen significantly since entry requirements were eased three years ago. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming said after the parade on Saturday, which marked the admission of 43 probationary inspectors and 219 constables to the force, that he felt honoured to be officiating at the ceremony and highlighted the importance of teamwork in his own 30-year career. 'Throughout the many years of my police career, teamwork has been more than just colleagues and peers. I think family and friends are also indispensable elements,' Chow said at the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang. Chow, who took the helm in April after his predecessor Raymond Siu Chak-yee retired, urged the new recruits to treasure the members of their cohort and the memories forged during their gruelling training days as they embarked on their police careers. 'Officers should value team spirit and chemistry both within the force and when facing external parties, rise against challenges, share weal and woe as well as take care of one another. As captains, one should lead by example and stand on the front lines,' Chow said. After the parade, Chow revealed that 1,224 entrants joined the force in the 2024-25 financial year, a 25 per cent increase over the previous 12 months. The police chief added that the number of applicants between April and June this year had also risen by 10 per cent compared with the same period in 2024, but he stopped short of revealing the figure.
