The Independent Police Complaint Council (IPCC) has proposed a revote on a previous ruling that concluded a case of alleged assualt from a police superintendent on an innocent bystander during the Occupy movement was “valid”.
Superintendent Franklin Chu is accused of beating a bystander with his baton on November 26 outside the Mong Kok police station during his Occupy-related crowd control duties. Other pedistrians are seen cowering after witnessing Chu’s actions.
It is understood that the victim, a Mong Kok resident named Osman Cheng, was not part of the Occupy Movement.
Chu, who is due to retire on July 23, previously defended himself, saying he had no bad intentions and his baton merely “touched other persons” in the process of his duties, according to Apple Daily.
The committee voted last week via a secret ballot – with 12 votes against 6 – that the complaint against Chu was genuine. All committee members were requested to attend the vote.
The police force was dissatisfied after hearing the result, and the committee’s conclusion be lowered “not fully substantiated”.
Chu was filmed “exercising force” on the pedestrian, but an intended and harmful motive could not be proven as he was conducting his duty, the force argued.
IPCC has informed members by email of its consideration on the force’s “new viewpoint” and requested a revote on the matter.
“In order to ensure a fair and impartial decision, the committee will consider all new viewpoints, whether from the complainants or complainees”, a spokesperson from the organisation said.
It was reported that the revote would be cast via email in an open ballot, although the committee’s chairman is yet to confirm that.
Meanwhile, two young persons were convicted earlier this month for “prank calling” Chu, and were sentenced to 12 months of probation order.
The court heard that the pair was distressed after seeing Chu’s actions on video, and called the policeman on multiple occasions after obtaining his personal telephone number on an online forum. The magistrate called it “a malicious act”, Cable TV reported.
Photo and video: DBC
Reader Interactions