The State Council has approved the appointment of Tang King-shing as Commissioner of Police from January 16 when Dick Lee retires after 34 years of service.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Yam will succeed Mr Tang as Deputy Commissioner.

New posts: Deputy Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing (left) will succeed Dick Lee as Commissioner on January 16. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Yam (right) will succeed Mr Tang as Deputy Commissioner.

Wealth of experience

Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Mr Tang has served for more than 30 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in the force's operations and management.

"Over the years, Mr Tang has made great efforts in enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the Police Force. I am confident that he will lead the Police Force in meeting the challenges ahead," he said.

Mr Tsang commended Mr Lee for maintaining law and order as Commissioner since December 2003.

"He has entrenched the service quality culture in the Police Force and demonstrated personal care and attention for frontline staff. Under his able leadership, the Police Force has continued to excel as a world-class professional law-enforcement body. We sincerely wish Mr Lee a happy retirement."

Full confidence

In a meet-the-media session this afternoon, Mr Lee said he has been awaiting this news for a long time.

He praised Mr Tang as a professional, experienced and capable leader, adding he has full confidence that Mr Tang will take the force forward and keep Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world.

Mr Tang said it was an honour to be appointed Police Commissioner.

He said he would have a heavy duty and burden, and face many challenges. But with the hard work of all the staff, he  had every confidence the force would be able to address the challenges.

Four objectives 

He set out four key objectives. He will first enhance internal communications to understand staff concerns and the problems they face in discharging their duties. He would find feasible solutions to relieve their work stress and enhance efficiency.

Secondly, he will enhance liaison and cooperation with the community.

Thirdly, he will enhance the force's cooperation with the Mainland authorities and other law-enforcement agencies to tackle cross-boundary crimes and terrorist activities.

Lastly, he will step up staff training to better prepare them for the ever more difficult tasks and to manage major events in the coming years.

Biographies

Mr Tang, 52, joined the force in 1976 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 1996, Assistant Commissioner in 1999, Senior Assistant Commissioner in 2002 and Deputy Commissioner in 2003.

Mr Lee, 56, joined the force in 1972 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 1992, Assistant Commissioner in 1995, Senior Assistant Commissioner in 1998, Deputy Commissioner in 2001, and Commissioner in 2003.

Mr Yam, 53, joined the Force in 1972 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 1996, Assistant Commissioner in 1998 and Senior Assistant Commissioner in 2002.