Top National Security Officer Caught in Police Raid

Choi was caught in a raid on an unlicensed massage parlour

This morning news broke that the No. 2 officer in the National Security Department was caught in a raid on an unlicensed massage parlour and that he was placed on leave for a month while the incident was being investigated.

In other words, before anyone has been convicted under the national security law that was implemented last June, a top national security officer has already fallen from grace.

Tang admits scandal affected force's reputation

It was later reported that Senior Assistant Commissioner and Director of National Security Frederic Choi Chin-pang would resign, but earlier this evening Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung said Choi would not be involved in anymore security work, and claimed he did not receive any resignation.

Tang remained tight-lipped about details of the case, though he admitted the scandal would undoubtedly affect the reputation of the force, but that it would be business as usual for the department working on national security issues.

He denied withholding information about the incident, as it was leaked to the media, and Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei was not impressed, saying the force had covered up it up until the media broke the news.

And even though Tang pledged the force would be transparent and open with the matter, he refused to provide details of the matter, which Lo said evasiveness would not help build public trust in the police chief's vow.

Choi was honoured by Lam in February

Meanwhile a police monitoring group said the force must be left red-faced by the incident.

"This is embarrassing news for the police force given they are trying to regain public trust and improve their image," said Icarus Wong from Civil Rights Observer.

Choi joined the force in 1995 and was promoted to senior superintendent in 2014, then given the job of leading a Security Wing formation tasked with intelligence operations, investigation, analysis, and liaison. He was made senior assistant commissioner and director of the National Security Department in July.

He received the Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service from Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor last year.

Choi was among seven top officers honoured by Lam for their contributions to safeguarding national security at a ceremony at Government House in February.

The NSL was implemented in June last year

So now the police is investigating one of its own. Will it be objective and comprehensive? The public will not know for sure, but to have this incident confirmed by Tang is a black mark on the relatively new national security department.

Does this mean China has lost trust the local security department and take over?

It just takes one to screw it up, doesn't it?