ICAC arrests four police officers and 21 civilians for alleged corruption in a three-day operation
2002-7-26
The ICAC in the past three days has arrested a total of 25 persons, including four police officers, on suspicion of breaching the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO).
In an operation code-named "Hippo" commencing on Tuesday (July 23), a Superintendent of the Police was arrested on suspicion of accepting advantages for providing assistance and advice to persons under police investigation, contrary to Section 4 of PBO.
The Superintendent was arrested also on suspicion of obtaining unauthorised loans, contrary to Section 3 of PBO.
Two Police Sergeants were also netted in the operation on suspicion of conspiring with the Superintendent in committing the Section 4 offences.
A Woman Police Constable was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with the Superintendent and one of the Sergeants to accept advantages for conducting unauthorised checks on the Police computer system.
During the operation, twelve civilians, including a nightclub operator, were arrested on suspicion of offering advantages to the police officers for obtaining assistance over various police investigations.
The ICAC operation was mounted as result of an investigation into a corruption complaint from the public.
As part of the investigation, the ICAC on Wednesday (July 24) night mounted a decoy and search operation at two massage parlours in Yau Ma Tei.
Two massage parlour licence holders, two parlour operators and five massage girls were arrested on suspicion of providing free massage and sauna services to some police officers.
During a follow-up search at one of the arrested civilians' residence, ICAC officers uncovered a small quantity of methamphetamine (“ICE”).
In the past three days, the ICAC has also interviewed 11 police officers and 64 civilians in connection with this enquiry.
The Police had rendered full co-operation to the ICAC during the investigation.
All the arrestees have been released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.
In an operation code-named "Hippo" commencing on Tuesday (July 23), a Superintendent of the Police was arrested on suspicion of accepting advantages for providing assistance and advice to persons under police investigation, contrary to Section 4 of PBO.
The Superintendent was arrested also on suspicion of obtaining unauthorised loans, contrary to Section 3 of PBO.
Two Police Sergeants were also netted in the operation on suspicion of conspiring with the Superintendent in committing the Section 4 offences.
A Woman Police Constable was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with the Superintendent and one of the Sergeants to accept advantages for conducting unauthorised checks on the Police computer system.
During the operation, twelve civilians, including a nightclub operator, were arrested on suspicion of offering advantages to the police officers for obtaining assistance over various police investigations.
The ICAC operation was mounted as result of an investigation into a corruption complaint from the public.
As part of the investigation, the ICAC on Wednesday (July 24) night mounted a decoy and search operation at two massage parlours in Yau Ma Tei.
Two massage parlour licence holders, two parlour operators and five massage girls were arrested on suspicion of providing free massage and sauna services to some police officers.
During a follow-up search at one of the arrested civilians' residence, ICAC officers uncovered a small quantity of methamphetamine (“ICE”).
In the past three days, the ICAC has also interviewed 11 police officers and 64 civilians in connection with this enquiry.
The Police had rendered full co-operation to the ICAC during the investigation.
All the arrestees have been released on ICAC bail, pending further enquiries.