Off-duty Hong Kong police sergeant suspended for alleged drink-driving

Hong Kong police have arrested and suspended an off-duty sergeant who allegedly drove a private car under the influence of alcohol and crashed into a van at Kowloon East regional headquarters.

A police spokesman said on Wednesday that the station sergeant from the regional headquarters had been charged with four offences – drink-driving, careless driving, failing to stop after a traffic accident and failing to report a traffic accident.

The man’s case is scheduled to be heard at Kwun Tong Court next Thursday.

According to a source, the incident took place at about 11.50pm on Tuesday when the off-duty officer drove a private car within the premises on Concorde Road, Kai Tak, and subsequently lost control before colliding with a police van.

An image circulating online showed the van, marked with “PTU D”, which refers to the Police Tactical Unit, had sustained minor damage to its right front side.

Police officers arrived at the scene and administered a breathalyser test to the driver, who failed.

The spokesman said the station sergeant had been suspended from duty. He reiterated that police had attached great importance to officers’ integrity and would not tolerate any unlawful behaviour.