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Dear members of the University Affairs Committee,

​Thank you for your letter enquiring about the protocol established between the University and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) regarding police entry onto campus. With the current developments across the city, we understand that students would like to be sure that this protocol is being followed.

This current protocol has been developed over many years through meetings and discussions between the University and the HKPF. As recently as July of this year, the HKPF reaffirmed that they would continue to respect and comply with the established practice.

The in-principle agreement under the protocol is that the HKPF will not enter the campus, except in the following situations:

a) To respond to “999” calls; or

b) To enter with a Search Warrant or Court order or other legal document.

(Please also see paragraph 8 below)

In the situation referred to in 3(a) above, it is the agreed practice that when the HKPF receives “999” calls, the officer-in-charge will communicate with HKU security staff before entering the campus. The security staff will first meet with the police officers, such as at the West Gate of the Main Campus, before coming on campus. For other off-campus sites, such as Halls and Residential Colleges, it may take some time for security officers to travel from the Main Campus to the site. Thus depending on the location and nature of the incident, it may be necessary for the on-site security or other staff members to meet and accompany the police officers upon their arrival.

It was in the situation referred to in 3(a) above that the incident on Oct 4 took place. As we outlined in our email reply to Hall members of Oct 9, 2019, the HKPF responded to a “999” call on Oct 4, 2019 regarding a case of alleged vandalism at the Jockey Club Student Village II. HKU security staff (on the Main Campus) were informed and they immediately alerted the security staff at the Hall. However, before the Hall staff could speak to the HKPF at the scene, the police officers had already left, after having very quickly established that the alleged vandalism had occurred on HKU campus and not on public property.

In response to our enquiry, the HKPF subsequently informed us that shortly after the police officers arrived at the scene, they stopped a male, believed to be the student referred to in your letter, on Pokfulam Road for questioning. The HKPF reported that this took place on public property.

In the situations referred to 3(b) where the HKPF intends to conduct a search with a search warrant or court order, it was agreed that HKU security staff will be present on site observing the police operation to ensure that the search is within the terms of the warrant/court order.

It is important for members of the University community to also be aware that, apart from the situations referred to in 3(a) and 3(b) above, under Section 10, 50(3) and 50(4) of the Police Force Ordinance, a police officer may enter any public or private premises (without the need for any consent) if the officer reasonably suspects that a criminal offence is being committed there.

The mechanism of the established protocol between the University and the HKPF that you requested has been laid out in the points above. You may wish to consider circulating these points to relevant student members.

The University will continue to ensure adherence to established protocol and that there should be no entry into University premises by police for searches or arrests without reasonable legal grounds.

In light of this incident and to help prevent future misunderstandings, the Estates Office will consider providing clearer boundary demarcations between HKU and public property where possible.

The University will continue to strive to ensure that the campus remains a safe and supportive environment for academic endeavours.

Professor Y.C. Richard Wong
Acting Executive Vice-President