Police Sergeant's Drunken Misadventure

An office measures out how far apart people should be

 

The Hong Kong police are out in force these days to make sure people are social distancing in groups of four in public. 

But they themselves have flouted the rules and then some.

A sergeant was sentenced to 160 hours of community service for assaulting a junior officer during an illegal public gathering. He was suspended.

David Leung pleaded guilty to common assault

David Leung Kwok-wing was spared jail at Tuen Mun Court on Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to common assault during a drunken brawl on April 19.

The 40-year-old Leung and his nine colleagues flouted the government's ban on public gatherings of more than four people when they met for dinner late in the evening for a farewell dinner for policewoman So Ling-nga, who was leaving the force.

Leung got into a heated exchange with 31-year-old So after she teased him for his "inability to drink". 

During the altercation he grabbed her by the hair for 10 seconds, causing her head to swell and she sustained scratches to her arms. She was granted two days' sick leave after the incident.

At first Leung denied the accusation under caution and during a police investigation, and then changed his plea to guilty. He has agreed to compensate So HK$3,000 (US$387) for her injuries.

Ten officers also fined for not social distancing

Magistrate Kelly Shui accepted the probation officer's recommendation of community service for Leung only because of his timely guilty plea. She told Leung his fall from grace was due to his arrogance.

"The two days' sick leave [given to the victim] was, to some extent, telling that you had no reservation to go all out when you pulled your colleague's hair," Shui told the sergeant.

"You are a law enforcement officer. You yourself have to set a good example for others. You have to be forgiving to your colleagues."

Shui warned the court "would not go easy" on Leung should he violate the terms of the community service order.

The 10 officers, all from Tin Shui Wai Police Station, have been fined for breaking the social distancing ban, but it was not revealed how much they were fined, as it can be as much as HK$50,000 (or imprisoned for six months).

Leung will also undergo an internal disciplinary hearing. 

Why these officers thought they were above the law or could get away with flouting social-distancing measures is outrageous, and then to get drunk and pull a colleague's hair because she teased him for not holding his alcohol is just as outrageous.

At least justice was done here.

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