The Independent Police Complaints Council endorsed the results of the investigation for 1,705 reportable complaint cases between April 1 last year and March 31 this year, representing an increase of 22.7 percent compared to the previous year. 

The council also endorsed a total of 2,747 allegations, an increase of 18.9 percent compared to the previous year.

Of which, allegations of “misconduct, improper manner, and offensive language” have increased to 1,307 from 1,011 in the year before. The council also saw 1,169 allegations of “neglect of duty”, 201 more than in the previous year. 

Meanwhile, 119 of the allegations were related to “assault”, down from 168 the year before.

Of the 2,747 allegations, the watchdog had fully investigated 881 and found around 15 percent of them, or 83, to be substantiated. Meanwhile, 289 (32.8%) were classified as “unsubstantiated”, along with 397 (45.1%) classified as “no fault”.

Concluding the council’s work, chairwoman Priscilla Wong Pui-sze said they have noted more than 50% of the total number of allegations have been classified as “Not Pursuable” or “Withdrawn” because the complainants became out of reach after filing their complaints or withdrew their complaints.

She stressed that it is the basic responsibility of complainants to provide means of contact when enjoying their rights to make complaints, along with promptly providing complete, true and accurate details regarding the complaint.