Citizen's alliance in HK proposes 'Police Day'

An alliance of Hong Kong citizens has called for designating Aug 10 each year as Hong Kong's "Police Day" to honor the policemen for their efforts, Ta Kung Pao reported.

The alliance, "Safeguard Hong Kong", launched a regional-wide rally on Saturday in support of Hong Kong policemen who have greatly invested in maintaining peace and order in the region.

Hong Kong's legislators from various parties also said that Hong Kong policemen deserve to have a specific day in honor of what they have done to enhance the rule of law and to maintain regional stability.

Elizabeth Quat from the city's largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said many of her friends took an active part in Saturday's activity to show their respect for the policemen, according to the report.

"They have been under huge and constant pressure in recent days," she was cited as saying. Some stayed on duty for as long as 30 hours, some had no time to eat, and some dared not drink too much water for fear that there was no toilet nearby.

"The policemen who have worked so hard to protect Hong Kong definitely deserve our support," she said, while explaining why she supported establishing a "Police Day".

Alice Mak Mei-kuen, another lawmaker from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU), also supported the initiative, seeing it as a gesture of appreciation for police who are worthy of commendation for their hard work, the report said.

She referred to what she considered an "occupational discrimination" a few days ago, when a shopping mall failed to show enough respect to some policemen only because they went there to find a bathroom when not carrying out any duties.

All types of works should be treated equally, and what the shopping mall has done was obviously inappropriate, she added.

Lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai from the Liberal Party of Hong Kong also expressed his support for the police. "It is thanks to them that Hong Kong has maintained good public order and an extremely low crime rate," he was cited as saying, adding that the policemen have remained restrained and loyal to their duties in the face of confrontation and deliberate provocative acts by rioters, which deserves to be supported.

Ho Kai-ming, a lawmaker from HKFTU, was also cited in favor of creating a "Police Day" to show support and respect for police officers. He said service industries should be neutral and professional and denounces acts against the police.