Senior appointments in the Hong Kong Police Force (with photos)
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     The State Council has, on the nomination and recommendation by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr C Y Leung, approved the appointment of Mr Lo Wai-chung, Deputy Commissioner of Police, as the Commissioner of Police and the removal of Mr Tsang Wai-hung from the Principal Official post.  Mr Lo took up the new appointment today (May 4) when Mr Tsang proceeded on pre-retirement leave on the same day after serving the Police Force for 37 years.

     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Lo Wai-chung, the Chief Executive said, "Mr Lo has served in the Hong Kong Police Force for nearly 31 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in the operations and management of the Police Force.  Over the years, Mr Lo has made great efforts in enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the Police Force.  I am confident that he will lead the Police Force in meeting the challenges ahead."

     Speaking on the retirement of Mr Tsang Wai-hung, the Chief Executive said, "Upon taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Police in January 2011, Mr Tsang has made commendable efforts in maintaining the law and order of the community.  He has entrenched the service quality culture in the Police Force and demonstrated personal care and attention for frontline staff.  Under his able leadership, the Police Force has continued to excel as a world-class professional law enforcement body.  We sincerely wish Mr Tsang a happy retirement."

     The Government also announced that Mr Chau Kwok-leung, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, succeeded Mr Lo Wai-chung as Deputy Commissioner of Police today.

     The following are biographical notes on Mr Tsang Wai-hung, Mr Lo Wai-chung and Mr Chau Kwok-leung:

Mr Tsang Wai-hung
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     Mr Tsang Wai-hung, aged 57, joined the Hong Kong Police Force in January 1978 as a Probationary Inspector.  He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 1998, Assistant Commissioner in 2003, Senior Assistant Commissioner in 2005 and Deputy Commissioner in 2008.  He took up the Commissioner of Police post in January 2011.

     Mr Tsang served in many different positions during his 37 years of service in the Police Force.  Between 1993 and 1995, he was seconded to the Metropolitan Police in London, United Kingdom, where he worked as a detective superintendent.  He was Senior Superintendent (Crime) (New Territories North Headquarters), District Commander (Wanchai) and Chief Superintendent (Organized Crime and Triad Bureau) between 1996 and 2002, and Assistant Commissioner (Information Systems Wing) from 2003.  He served as Director of Personnel and Training and Director of Operations between February 2005 and January 2008, and was Deputy Commissioner (Management) and Deputy Commissioner (Operations) from January 2008 to January 2011.  He was appointed as Commissioner of Police in January 2011.

     During his career in the Police Force, Mr Tsang has received many awards.  He was awarded Commissioner's Commendation in 1981, five Commanding Officer's Commendations between 1982 and 1988, Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1996, Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal in 1997 with the first, second and third Clasps in 2003, 2008 and 2011 respectively, Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1999, Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2007 and the Chief Executive's Commendation in 2009.

Mr Lo Wai-chung
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     Mr Lo Wai-chung, aged 53, joined the Hong Kong Police Force in July 1984 as a Probationary Inspector.  He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2005, Assistant Commissioner in 2009 and Senior Assistant Commissioner in 2011.  He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner in August 2013 and Commissioner of Police on May 4, 2015.

     Mr Lo has held a variety of posts in the Police Force, responsible for crime investigations, security and operations as well as management work.  Between 1999 and 2002, he was seconded to INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, where he worked as a Liaison Officer and subsequently as Assistant Director heading the INTERPOL Asia & South Pacific Branch.  He served in a number of posts including Senior Superintendent (Service Quality), Senior Superintendent (Complaints Against Police Office), Chief Superintendent (Security) and Deputy Regional Commander (Kowloon West) between 2002 and 2009.  He was Assistant Commissioner (Security) from October 2009 and Director of Crime and Security from January 2011.  He became Deputy Commissioner (Operations) in August 2013 and took up the Deputy Commissioner (Management) post in September 2014.

     During his career in the Police Force, Mr Lo has received many awards.  He was awarded Commissioner's Certification of Academic Merit in 1985, Commanding Officer's Commendation in 1989, Commissioner's Commendation in 1995, Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal in 2002 with the first Clasp in 2009, Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2009 and Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014.

Mr Chau Kwok-leung
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     Mr Chau Kwok-leung, aged 55, joined the Hong Kong Police Force in September 1978 as a Police Constable and was appointed as an Inspector in 1985.  He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2004, Assistant Commissioner in 2009 and Senior Assistant Commissioner in January 2013.  He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner on May 4, 2015.

     Mr Chau has served in many different posts in the Police Force, responsible for frontline operations, training and management work.  He served as District Commander (Airport), Senior Superintendent (Operations), District Commander (Central) and Chief Superintendent (Human Resources) between 2001 and 2009.  He was Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) and Regional Commander (New Territories North Region) from 2009 to 2012.  He took up the post of Director of Personnel and Training in December 2012.

     During his career in the Police Force, Mr Chau has received many awards.  He was awarded the Brian Slevin Trophy in 1985, five Commanding Officer's Commendations between 1989 and 1996, Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1996, Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal in 1997 with the first, second and third Clasps in 2003, 2008 and 2011 respectively, Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2006 and Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014.

Ends/Monday, May 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 08:15

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