HK Police suspended amid probe of Kwun Tong brothel
Police suspended amid probe of brothel
Simpson Cheung and Chris Ip
Nov 06, 2011
scmp.com
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Five police officers have been suspended after they were arrested by anti-corruption agents investigating allegations that they were either running a brothel or accepting free sexual services from prostitutes in return for turning a blind eye to the vice den.
The five - male and female auxiliary officers and three full-time officers - have been released on bail by the Independent Commission Against Corruption as the anti-graft body continues investigations into the alleged racket, which centres on an ageing block of flats in Kwun Tong.
No one has been charged but further arrests have not been ruled out.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case and historical animosity between the police and ICAC, details of the arrests late last month have only just leaked out. Neither the anti-graft body nor the police will comment officially on the arrests.
But separate law enforcement sources have confirmed that the five were arrested late last month by the ICAC.
A source with close knowledge of the investigation said a brothel run by police officers existed and an investigation was still under way. It is understood the vice den has been operating for nearly three years.
Another police officer said the two auxiliary officers from the Kowloon City station were arrested for operating the vice den. He described them as very experienced, with more than 20 years in the force.
"I was very surprised when I heard about this," he said. The officer also said two police constables from the vice squad at the same station were arrested for receiving "benefits" and turning a blind eye to the vice den.
Another police officer said a sergeant from the Kwun Tong vice squad was also arrested.
Junior Police Officers' Association chairman Gary Wong Ching said regulations for auxiliary police officers were the same as for regular officers.
"The force has a very strict regulation that officers should not visit sensitive places when they are off duty, not even unlicensed pubs. They would face disciplinary action if they are caught during a raid," he said.
The brothel - which spanned six flats over two floors in an old tenement building in Fu Yan Street in Kwun Tong, with some operating in subdivided cubicles - has been shut down by the ICAC.
A handwritten notice on the door of one apartment says it is the subject of an ICAC investigation. It was not known whether any prostitutes or pimps were arrested in the operation.
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