Marine police, back-end officers to patrol streets
Police Commissioner Raymond Siu on Saturday said more officers will be deployed to frontline policing to step up patrols across the territory, following a string of recent violent attacks in the SAR.  Hong Kong has witnessed a number of violent incidents this month, including a fatal knife attack at a Diamond Hill shopping mall and the stabbing of a McDonald's manager in Sai Wan.  "Apart from our usual frontline officers who conduct patrols, we have also redeployed many back-end support colleagues, including plainclothes officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. They will don a police vest, and step up patrols as well as stops and searches at malls and crowded places," he said. "From Monday, some marine officers will also assist high-profile patrols on land." Speaking after a graduation parade for new officers, Siu also urged the public, including security guards and taxi drivers, to alert the force if they encounter anything suspicious.  But Siu noted that wounding and serious assault cases in the first five months of this year were down by more than 10 percent compared to the same period in 2019.  The police chief, meanwhile, confirmed that the force has so far received one application to stage a public rally on July 1. Officers are now deciding whether to issue a letter of no objection for the event, which would take the form of a car rally.  On recruitment, Siu said 1,200 people had applied to join the force as constables after it relaxed several eligibility requirements last month, more than double the figure in April. The number of people applying to become inspectors rose from 209 in April to 666 last month.  The height and weight requirements for Hong Kong police officers had been scrapped, with those hoping to join also now able to wear glasses or contact lenses during eyesight checks. Recruits also just need to pass a written test, regardless of their public exam results in Chinese and English. Siu said the relaxed hiring requirements has allowed more aspiring individuals to join the force, but stressed that the quality of officers would be maintained.