TNAG-0551-FCO40-646-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 91

CONFLI

1. buttal th

i

8.

After completion of training he was posted to a Division in Kowloon where he served as a Patrol Inspector until February 1963.

NOTE: During his service in Kowloon he encountered what

he described as "pressure to join the corruption conspiracy". It was made clear to him that if he did not conform to the generally recognised practice of accepting "hush money" he would undoubtedly receive bad progress reports from his Divisional Superintendent. In support he quoted two instances where he was handed $500 by the office boot black who, when challenged, stated "it was from the Superintendent". Apparently, according to Ellis, it was the practice to accept "hush money" and to ignore petty offences committed by hawkers, street gamblers, etc. He claims that he saw blatant instances of condonation of offences by his Inspector colleagues, both British and Chinese.

9.

In February 1963 he was transferred to the Police Training contingent (now the Police Tactical Unit) at Fanling. He served there as a platoon commander until May 1963 when he was removed from his command for, as he put it, "bringing his platoon to near mutiny", He claims that he administered his platoon efficiently but that he was prepared to listen to the views and complaints of the rank and file. This was unacceptable to his superiors.

•

NOTE: During his service with the FTC, Ellis alleges that young officers were formally advised by a senior officer on the subject of corruption. Surprisingly, the advice was "Do not accept small bribes take a large bribe and then get out of the Force"!

10.

In May 1963 Ellis was transferred to Yau Ma Ti Police Sub-division. In July 1963 he was discharged from the Force on the grounds of being "temperamentally unsuitable for police service.

.11. He claims that his experiences in Kowloon and the

PTC had completely demoralised him and that, on discharge he was told he would have to wait four weeks (unpaid) for a passage to the United Kingdom.

12. He asked for a general reference as his discharge certificate would be unlikely to commend him to a potential employer but was told that Government Regulations precluded its issue.

· 13. He consulted with a solicitor on the preparation of a draft petition to the Governor in appeal against his discharge but when the solicitor saw the name of the senior officer against whom Ellis alleged persecution, the solicitor said he was a personal friend of the officer and tried to persuade Ellis to water down the petition. Ellis then decided not to pursue the matter further in Hong Kong as he felt that no local police officer would be willing to be involved in a locally-

duc opquiry.

CONFIDENTIAL

1