Sergeant of Police College charged with bribery, MIPO and deception
2019-10-25
A Police Sergeant has been charged by the ICAC today (October 25) with bribery, misconduct in public office (MIPO) and deception involving a total of $250,000 when he was supervising a squad of 30 Training Police Constables (TPCs) at the Hong Kong Police College (HKPC).
Au Chi-wai, 49, faces four charges – one of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; one of MIPO, contrary to Common Law; and two of obtaining property by deception, contrary to Section 17(1) of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Eastern Magistracy next Tuesday (October 29) for the case to be transferred to the District Court for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was a Police Sergeant attached to the Drill and Musketry Unit of the HKPC. Between late 2012 and mid-2013, the HKPC organised a residential training course for newly recruited TPCs.
The new recruits were divided into seven squads, each comprising 30 TCPs. The defendant was the Assistant Course Instructor of one of the squads responsible for foot drill lessons, discipline and administration.
The two deception charges allege that between December 17, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the defendant dishonestly obtained from 30 TPCs a total of $240,000 with the intention of permanently depriving them of their properties by deception.
The defendant has allegedly falsely represented to the 30 TPCs that they were each required to pay $6,000 for purchasing various items of stationery and equipment left by the preceding squad; and pay $60,000 in total for renting professional equipment to make a commemorative photograph album.
The MIPO charge alleges that the defendant, in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself during the abovementioned period.
He has allegedly taken advantage of the professional relationships with the 30 TPCs for private gains by soliciting them to purchase notebook computers via himself; and became involved in activities leading to conflict of interest by soliciting them to purchase various items unrelated to their training in the HKPC.
The bribery charge alleges that between June 1 and 30, 2013, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted from the 30 TPCs a computer software worth about $10,000 as an inducement to or reward for being or remaining favourably disposed to them.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by Police, which have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.
Au Chi-wai, 49, faces four charges – one of public servant accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; one of MIPO, contrary to Common Law; and two of obtaining property by deception, contrary to Section 17(1) of the Theft Ordinance.
The defendant will appear at the Eastern Magistracy next Tuesday (October 29) for the case to be transferred to the District Court for plea.
At the material time, the defendant was a Police Sergeant attached to the Drill and Musketry Unit of the HKPC. Between late 2012 and mid-2013, the HKPC organised a residential training course for newly recruited TPCs.
The new recruits were divided into seven squads, each comprising 30 TCPs. The defendant was the Assistant Course Instructor of one of the squads responsible for foot drill lessons, discipline and administration.
The two deception charges allege that between December 17, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the defendant dishonestly obtained from 30 TPCs a total of $240,000 with the intention of permanently depriving them of their properties by deception.
The defendant has allegedly falsely represented to the 30 TPCs that they were each required to pay $6,000 for purchasing various items of stationery and equipment left by the preceding squad; and pay $60,000 in total for renting professional equipment to make a commemorative photograph album.
The MIPO charge alleges that the defendant, in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself during the abovementioned period.
He has allegedly taken advantage of the professional relationships with the 30 TPCs for private gains by soliciting them to purchase notebook computers via himself; and became involved in activities leading to conflict of interest by soliciting them to purchase various items unrelated to their training in the HKPC.
The bribery charge alleges that between June 1 and 30, 2013, the defendant, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted from the 30 TPCs a computer software worth about $10,000 as an inducement to or reward for being or remaining favourably disposed to them.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by Police, which have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The defendant has been released on ICAC bail, pending his court appearance next Tuesday.