Raymond Siu Explained

Raymond Siu
Native Name Lang:zh-hk
Office:Commissioner of Police
Term Start:25 June 2021
1Namedata:Carrie Lam
John Lee Ka-chiu
Predecessor:Chris Tang
Birth Date:2 April 1966
Birth Place:British Hong Kong
Alma Mater:University of Birmingham (BS)
Module:
Child:yes
Serviceyears:1988–present

Raymond Siu Chak-yee (Chinese: 蕭澤頤; born 2 April 1966[1]) is the current Commissioner of Police of the Hong Kong Police Force since 25 June 2021.[2] He previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of the Hong Kong Police Force under his predecessor Chris Tang.[3]

Education

Siu received a Bachelor of Science with a course in chemistry from the University of Birmingham in England in 1988.[4] [5]

Career

Siu joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a probationary inspector in December 1988 and had since risen through the ranks, becoming chief superintendent in 2013, assistant commissioner (personnel) in 2017, senior assistant commissioner (director of operations) in 2018 and deputy commissioner (operations) in November 2019.[6]

Siu has served in various posts of different job nature, mostly frontline operational units as well as criminal intelligence-related duties and Personnel Wing. During his career, Siu has attended overseas development courses at various training institutes including Tsinghua University, Stanford University, Harvard University and the Chinese Academy of Governance.[7] Upon promotion to Senior Superintendent in 2007, Siu served as the Deputy District Commander of Kwai Tsing District and District Commander of Airport District. In 2013, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent and took over the command of Kowloon City District. Upon completion of a tour, he then assumed the post of Chief Superintendent, Human Resources Branch, Personnel Wing. In January 2017, Siu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police when he was then assigned to command the Personnel Wing. In November 2018, Siu was promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, taking up the post of Director of Operations. In November 2019, Siu was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations).[8]

Commissioner of Police

With the nomination and recommendation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the State Council appointed Siu as the Commissioner of Police on 25 June 2021, succeeding Chris Tang who was promoted to serve in Carrie Lam's administration as Secretary for Security.

In October 2021, Siu declined to meet with Amber Poon's mother when she invited him to join her for a press conference.[9]

On 5 January 2022, Carrie Lam announced new warnings and restrictions against social gathering due to potential COVID-19 outbreaks.[10] One day later, it was discovered that Siu attended a birthday party hosted by Witman Hung Wai-man, with 222 guests.[11] [12] At least one guest tested positive with COVID-19, causing many guests to be quarantined.[13] Sui later said that his attendance was part of community engagement and to meet stakeholders.[14] He was ordered to take leave until 24 January.[15] Later in June 2022, Siu said that he did not break any laws and that he is not interested in alcohol.[16]

On 24 September 2022, Siu said that the threat of terrorists in Hong Kong was at a moderate level, and that there was no specific threats or intelligence that the city was targeted. However, Siu said "We cannot let our guard down. There are still some people going underground and using soft resistance tactics to try to incite people to come out. We will closely monitor our intelligence and see whether such acts are happening online."[17]

In January 2023, Siu said that fake news about police must be corrected within 2 hours, and said that fake news had a big impact on the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.[18]

In February 2023, Siu disagreed with a reporter who asked if police were too focused on the national security law, after reports showed that crime had increased 10% from 2021 to 2022.[19]

Personal life

In August 2022, Siu tested positive for COVID-19.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-06-25. 蕭澤頤 - 最新文章. 2021-06-26. The News Lens 關鍵評論網. zh-Hant-TW. 26 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001107/https://www.thenewslens.com/tag/%E8%95%AD%E6%BE%A4%E9%A0%A4. live.
  2. Web site: 2021-06-25. Several challenges ahead for Hong Kong's new police chief, insiders say. 2021-06-25. South China Morning Post. en. 25 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625234009/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3138809/new-hong-kong-police-chief-will-have-tackle-manpower-crunch. live.
  3. Web site: 2021-06-25. Security chief John Lee to become Hong Kong's no. 2; police chief to head up security. 2021-06-26. Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. en-GB. 4 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210704104151/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/06/25/breaking-security-chief-john-lee-to-become-hong-kongs-no-2-police-chief-to-head-up-security-report/. live.
  4. Web site: 蕭澤頤小檔案 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927221453/http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/232109/2021/0817/621214.html . 2022-09-27 . 2022-09-27 . Ta Kung Pao.
  5. Web site: University of Birmingham Development and Alumni Office . 1988 Lost Alumni List - University of Birmingham . 2022-09-27 . yumpu.com . 16 . en . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930193758/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/35065286/1988-lost-alumni-list-university-of-birmingham . live .
  6. Web site: Government announces appointment and removal of Principal Officials (with photos). info.gov.hk. 25 June 2021. 27 June 2021. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308031514/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/25/P2021062500412.htm. live.
  7. Web site: 警隊架構:高級官員 香港警務處 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927222227/https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_tc/01_about_us/os_sofficers.html . 2022-09-27 . 2022-09-27 . www.police.gov.hk.
  8. Web site: Senior Officers of Hong Kong Police Force . Hong Kong Police Force Public Page . 4 July 2021 . 15 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200815114551/https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/01_about_us/os_sofficers.html . live .
  9. Web site: Chau . Candice . 2021-10-20 . Hong Kong lawmakers and gov't officials shun meeting with mother of murder victim, security chief points to Taiwan . 2022-09-17 . Hong Kong Free Press HKFP . en-GB . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930170430/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/10/20/hong-kong-lawmakers-and-govt-officials-shun-meeting-with-mother-of-murder-victim-security-chief-points-to-taiwan/ . live .
  10. Web site: 2022-01-05. Bars, gyms to close, 6pm restaurant curfew as Hong Kong ramps up Omicron battle. 2022-01-07. South China Morning Post. en. 7 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107102205/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3162190/coronavirus-hong-kongs-fifth-wave-has-already. live.
  11. Web site: 衞生防護中心最新發現洪為民宴會人數為222人 - RTHK. 12 January 2022. 13 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113121525/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1628558-20220112.htm. live.
  12. Web site: Hong Kong Finds New Suspected Covid Case at Official’s Scandal-Hit Birthday Party . 10 January 2022 . 10 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220110121001/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-10/hong-kong-finds-another-suspected-covid-case-at-notorious-party . live .
  13. Web site: 2022-01-07. All 170 guests of Covid-19 scandal-hit birthday party sent to quarantine. 2022-01-07. South China Morning Post. en. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930193757/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3162476/coronavirus-19-hong-kong-lawmakers-attended-birthday-party. live.
  14. Web site: 2022-01-27. Hong Kong police commissioner defends attendance at Omicron-hit birthday bash. 2022-01-27. South China Morning Post. en. 27 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127111357/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3164946/hong-kong-police-chief-defends-attendance-omicron-hit. live.
  15. Web site: Leave extension defuses Tsui resign speculation. 27 January 2022. 27 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127152728/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/238349/Leave-extension-defuses-Tsui-resign-speculation. live.
  16. Web site: Police won't lower guard around July 1: chief - RTHK . 2022-06-14 . news.rthk.hk . en-gb . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930193800/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1652957-20220614.htm . live .
  17. Web site: Police to mobilise 'many' officers on October 1 - RTHK . 2022-09-24 . news.rthk.hk . en-gb . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930193800/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1668256-20220924.htm . live .
  18. Web site: Police set 2-hour target for clearing up fake news - RTHK . 2023-01-08 . news.rthk.hk . en-gb.
  19. Web site: Leung . Hillary . 2023-02-15 . Hong Kong police deny putting 'too much effort' into national security as leap in fraud drives 10% crime rate increase . 2023-02-15 . Hong Kong Free Press HKFP . en-GB.
  20. Web site: Standard . The . Police chief tests positive for Covid   . 2022-08-25 . The Standard . en . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930193758/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193788/Police-chief-tests-positive-for-Covid- . live .