I had some trouble with the police a couple weeks ago as well down at the boardwalk next to Star Ferry in central. You are not allowed to smoke down there, but being Friday and after work I did it anyway. It is quite common people do it down there, e.g. next to the DB pier at Beer Bay. Anyway, I got approached by 3 cops and told to put out my cigarette, which I did. I was then told I will be issued 2 tickets, one for smoking 1500HKD and one for trashing 1500HKD(I put the cigarette out by throwing it on the ground and stepping on it).
So, they asked for my ID, which I gave them. Then they started asking for my adress, what work I do, how long I have been in HK etc. I told them that I don't see what difference it makes, and if they just could give me the ticket so I can continue that would be highly appreciated. They told me they will mail the ticket home to me, which I found a bit odd. I still refused to give the adress, to which they said that if I do not give them my home adress we have to go down to the police station, to which I replied that is completely fine with me because I am in no hurry.
Having told them I can go to the station with them, as they themselves had told me that we will do, made them quite pissed off. I had to listen for 15-20 minutes about how I am causing trouble and that "You are not a child". This scolding was punctuated a couple times again with demands that I give my address, or they will take me to the police station to which I always responded that I don't mind going there.
Anyway, 25 minutes later one of the cops, who had stayed quiet the whole process told me okay, look, I will give you a warning this time which I said fine, thank you.
I saw one of the cops who gave me the scolding again this week down in Sheung Wan while going out to get lunch from the office, he recognised me while I was walking down the street and came up to me with "Hey, I know you, what are you doing here etc" Ignored him and he shouted something to me from behind but don't know what.
I am white
Nope, I'm not the one with worthless comment here. Why is the police refusing to accept the reasonable explanation of the OP? They are not doing their jobs, more like abusing it.
If you think the HK police don't target minorities, that just show you don't go out enough (or you are white and don't notice this).
Last edited by Cho-man; 16-09-2015 at 10:01 AM.
Not sure you are right,
I wasn't driving a car, so seems to me that I am not under any obligation to give them my adress.The police have the power to question anyone in accordance with the above rules. On the other hand, the common law as well as Article 11(2g) of section 8 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap. 383) provide that a person has the right not to be compelled to testify against himself or to confess guilt, i.e. every person in Hong Kong has the right to silence. By virtue of that right, a person may in general refuse to answer any question posed by a police officer. However, the driver of a vehicle who is suspected of committing a road traffic offence or being involved in a traffic accident must give his name, address and driving licence number to the police upon request ( section 63 of the Road Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 374).
Actually, as it is my right not to give them my address I don't see why they need to get all worked up about me exercising that right. I had people come up to me afterwards asking what happened and why the cops were so aggressive.
Last edited by henkka; 16-09-2015 at 10:14 AM.
Last edited by Cho-man; 16-09-2015 at 10:17 AM.
Thats true, I did, just like a all the mainland chinese down there who smoke as well. Anyway, I never had an issue with the fact that they tried to issue me a ticket or that they approached me to ask my ID. Actually, I think they did the correct thing and if they did that will all the illegally parked cars in central as well, I would be very happy.
The problem was, these cops went nuts over the fact that I exercised my right to stay silent. I do understand that it might be inconvenient for them, but that still doesn't change the fact that I dont need to give them the adress.
and @pin,Original Post Deleted
So what is "due cause"? Acting suspiciously? Oh, you walked suspiciously, you looked suspiciously in front of you, you breathed suspiciously, your clothes are suspicious, whatever. This is your "due cause". This is a cop deciding that you did something suspiciously, and therefore you need to show your ID. In other words they can stop anybody they want, and ask for ID. That's what I wrote, and that's what you confirmed with your links.