Stephen Lo

Stephen Lo Wai-chung GBS PDSM PMSM JP (Chinese: 盧偉聰) is a Hong Kong retired law enforcement administrator. Lo joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 1984 after his graduation from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor of social science in management. He served as the Commissioner of Police of Hong Kong from 2015 to 2019, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) from 2014 to 2015, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) from 2013 to 2014, and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police from 2011 to 2013.[1]

Not to be confused with the Hong Kong and Macanese businessman Steven Lo.

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Lo. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Stephen Lo and the Chinese-style name is Lo Wai-chung.
Stephen Lo Wai-chung
GBS PDSM PMSM JP
盧偉聰
Commissioner of Police
In office
5 May 2015 – 18 November 2019
Chief ExecutiveLeung Chun-ying → Carrie Lam
Secretary for SecurityLai Tung-kwok → John Lee
Preceded byAndy Tsang
Succeeded byChris Tang
Personal details
Born (1961-11-19) 19 November 1961
Hong Kong
Alma materUniversity of Hong Kong (BSS)
AwardsPolice Meritorious Service Medal (2009)
Police Distinguished Service Medal (2014)
Stephen Lo Wai-chung
Traditional Chinese盧偉聰
Simplified Chinese卢伟聪

Biography

Lo attended the University of Hong Kong and received a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in management studies. After his graduation, Lo joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force on 16 July 1984 as an inspector and was promoted to Senior Inspector on 1 November 1987. He worked at the Regional Crime Unit and Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. He is specialised in "criminal investigation, international liaison, service quality management, security and operational duties," according to the government official website. He also helped the police to develop the first-generation Major Incident and Disaster Support System.[2]

In 1999, he was seconded to the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France, initially as Liaison Officer. In 2001, he was promoted to assistant director of its Asia and South Pacific Branch.[3] Lo returned to Hong Kong in 2002 to take the position of senior superintendent in the Service Quality Wing and the Complaints Against Police Office. In 2005, he was promoted to chief superintendent in the Security Wing and Deputy Regional Commander in Kowloon West. In 2009, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Security Wing. He held the position for two years until he was appointed Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Crime and Security Wing in 2011. On 13 August 2013, he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in 2013 and then was transferred to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) in September 2014.[2][4]

Lo has also completed a few overseas training programmes, including the command course for police chiefs from the Chinese People's Public Security University in 2004, a management course for senior government officials from Harvard University in 2007, and a leadership development programme from the National Executive Institute of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States in 2010. He also obtained a master's degree in Risk, Crisis & Disaster Management.[2]

He was awarded the Police Meritorious Service Medal in 2009 and the Police Distinguished Service Medal in 2014.[2]

On 4 May 2015, the State Council of the People's Republic of China appointed Lo Commissioner of Police, succeeding Andy Tsang Wai-hung.[5] He was criticised as "soft" and "feeble" by frontline officers after he announced an investigation into the firing of two warning shots by a police officer during the 2016 Mong Kok civil unrest.[6]

On 15 February 2017, Lo stated that he was "saddened" by the guilty verdict of seven police officers who were found guilty of assaulting the pro-democracy activist Ken Tsang during the Occupy Central protests.[7]

In November 2019, Lo retired as Commissioner of Police amidst criticisms of the police's handling of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.[1][8]

In August 2020, Lo and ten other officials were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13936 by President Trump for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.[9][10][11]

On 10 February 2021, Carrie Lam awarded Lo the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service for his "significant contribution to combatting the social disturbance in 2019 and safeguarding national security".[12]

References
  1. "China's State Council Appoints New Police Chief in Hong Kong". The New York Times. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  2. "Mr Lo Wai-chung, Commissioner of Police". Hong Kong Government.
  3. "Senior Officers". The Hong Kong Police Force. February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. "Senior appointment in Police Force". HKSAR Government. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. Li, Shadow (5 May 2015). "New commissioner vows to fight tech crimes, terrorism". China Daily. Hong Kong. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  6. Siu, Jasmine; Leung, Christy (11 February 2016). "Angry Hong Kong police criticise 'feeble' senior management over Mong Kok riot arrangements". South China Morning Post.
  7. "Hong Kong police chief 'saddened' by conviction of seven officers in Occupy assault case". SCMP. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  8. "No fanfare or farewell dinner as police chief makes a quiet exit". South China Morning Post. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  9. "US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, police chief and 9 other top officials for 'undermining autonomy'". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  10. Macias, Amanda (7 August 2020). "U.S. sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for carrying out Chinese 'policies of suppression'". CNBC. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  11. "Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong's Autonomy". United States Department of the Treasury. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  12. "CE commends seven serving and retired senior police officers (with photos)". Hong Kong Government. 10 February 2021.
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