Via the ABC:
SA Police has launched an investigation into a photo which purportedly shows one of its uniformed police officers supporting Hong Kong’s police force.
The photo, which features in an International Police Association (IPA) magazine, defends the conduct of Hong Kong Police during the protests last year, despite claims from protesters that officers used excessive force.
It appears to show a SA Police officer sitting in a car holding a piece of paper saying: “Support Hong Kong Police Force to Uphold Law and Order — Australia”.
It was unclear whether the image used in the magazine had been digitally altered or manipulated.
ABC News has obscured the officer’s identity for legal reasons.
A SA Police spokesperson confirmed the officer who appeared in the photo is a current employee.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the photo was taken without the consent of SA Police and an investigation was underway.
“I’m aware of the photograph. That photograph was not taken with the endorsement or consent of the South Australia Police. It was the actions of an individual police officer and they’re being investigated at the moment,” Mr Stevens said.
“I have not had any suggestion put to me that it was doctored.”
The photo was published alongside other pictures appearing to show officers from around the world expressing support for Hong Kong police.
During the height of the protests in Hong Kong last year, some protesters threw petrol bombs at police and vandals set alight China-linked businesses.
Hong Kong officers often responded with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, rubber bullets and rounds of live ammunition.
Pro-democracy protesters have accused Hong Kong police of using excessive force, a claim which the Hong Kong Police Force denies.
Hong Kong police wanted to ‘set the record straight’ in magazine
The special edition IPA magazine was compiled with the support of Hong Kong police to “set the record straight” about recent pro-democracy protests in the city.
“Given the scope and volume of the malicious misinformation circulated in the media and in online forums to discredit the Hong Kong Police and jeopardise operational capability, this booklet also serves to set the record straight,” the first page of the magazine reads.
“This special edition booklet is meant to give a fair account of the truth of Hong Kong’s situation to law enforcement agencies around the world,” the magazine reads on the same page the picture in question features.
Hong Kong pro-democracy group, Australia-Hong Kong Link, said they had relied on the police to keep them safe at protests in South Australia from pro-Beijing counter protesters.
Charlotte* a Hong Konger in Adelaide from the Australia-Hong Kong Link group said she was shocked to see the image.
“They have actively, provided aid and contact in case it was necessary and have met with some of our members to discuss safety measures.
“We do have to consider it out of place to have seen a photo like that.
“Some of our community’s members already have very little trust in police forces in general due to the portrayal given by Hong Kong Police, and that is unfortunately being affected since the discovery of the photo.”
*Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity and safety.
Nice bit of community outreach there.
