Hong Kong Security Chief Shows No Remorse

Security Chief John Lee would not resign over handling the June 12 protests

While Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor apologized yesterday but would not resign, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu also apologized for the government's mishandling of the extradition bill, and also refused to step down.

Members of the public were so angry at the police in how they fired 150 rounds of tear gas, twice as  much as was fired in the 2014 Occupy protests, and also used rubber bullets and beanbag rounds which shot at close range can result in serious injuries.

There were many cases of excessive police brutality

The antagonism towards the police has gotten so bad that some officers were identified online, their names and pictures circulated on the internet and on forums there were suggestions of finding out their family members and putting pressure on them.

Lee, who was a high-ranking police officer before joining the cabinet, acknowledged the public backlash and anxiety, but said any discontent with the government should not be directed at the police force.

"They were also treated violently [by protesters]... officers' lives were threatened," Lee said. He added police defense barriers were rushed by protesters, some of whom threw bricks and metal bars at officers after 3pm on Wednesday.

He says as a result the police had no choice but to use tear gas and rubber bullets to defend themselves.

The police force has also come under fire because officers from the Special Tactical Squad did not have their numbers displayed on their uniforms, making it difficult for anyone to lodge a complaint.

Lee claims the police officers had to defend themselves

At the Legislative Council, Lee explained the reason why these officers did not have numerical identification because there was not enough room on their uniforms.

Excuse me? Seriously?

What kind of an excuse is this?

It's just another indication of how out of touch the Lam administration and by extension the police force are and they seem to show no intention of trying to heal the rifts between them and the public.

Looks like plans for protests on Friday will probably go ahead...