The Hong Kong police force have received the lowest satisfaction rating among all disciplinary forces, according to a survey conducted last month.
The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) interviewed 1,062 people by phone between November 21 and 26. The force received 35.3 marks out of 100, with 40 per cent of the respondents giving zero marks.
Large-scale protests in the city are entering their sixth month. Originally against a now-withdrawn extradition law, the movement has morphed into a wider one demanding democracy and an investigation into police behaviour.
The rating of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison stood at 44.2 marks. Last month, Chinese army personnel helped to clear debris left by protesters at Hong Kong Baptist University in Kowloon Tong.
The highest ratings went to the Fire Services Department, who gained 80.5 marks out of 100, and the Auxiliary Medical Service, which received 80.2 marks.
PORI said the popularity figures of all disciplinary forces and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison dropped significantly, except the Auxiliary Medical Service.
The relative positions among the disciplinary forces have not changed much, according to PORI.
The crowdfunded polling body’s director, Robert Chung, said the police will have to re-brand their image.
“They are professionally out of order – clearly there are problems inside the force,” he said.
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