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Joe Chow Yat-ming

The latest news and updates on Joe Chow Yat-ming, appointed Commissioner of Police for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in April 2025, he began his career as an Inspector in 1995. He possesses extensive experience in criminal investigation and intelligence, including a secondment to Interpol. Notably, he commanded operations during the 2019 social unrest, such as the Polytechnic University incident. His current role focuses on safeguarding national security, advancing smart policing with technology, and strengthening team culture. He holds degrees from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, alongside international training.

The reinforcement work is mainly focused on flats that were severely damaged in the blaze. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong police boost checks at Tai Po fire block after jewellery theft arrests

Workers required to store personal belongings including mobile phones in lockers and not allowed to carry more than HK$500 in cash onto the site.

8 Mar 2026 - 10:31PM

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Fines, penalties and forfeitures pump HK$2.1 billion into government coffers

2 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong inspector dies after shooting herself, probe under way

25 Feb 2026 - 4:48PM

Hong Kong police

Hong Kong aims to add facial recognition to public CCTVs this year: police chief

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow says high-traffic and strategically located shopping centres will be prioritised.

15 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM

CCTV cameras in Mong Kok. Photo: Eugene Lee

Crime in Hong Kong

‘Unforgivable’: police chief slams lawyer, doctors linked to crash-for-cash scams

‘Knowledgeable professionals should not do such immoral and unethical things,’ Commissioner of Police Joe Chow says.

14 Feb 2026 - 6:01PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Police chief says no let-up on national security despite stability in Hong Kong

City will continue to ramp up intelligence gathering and education as ‘undercurrents’ of threats persist, Joe Chow says.

11 Feb 2026 - 11:58PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Scam cases fall for first time in Hong Kong since 2019, annual figures show

While deception cases accounted for nearly half of 89,137 crimes recorded in 2025, number was down by 2.9 per cent from 2024’s figure.

10 Feb 2026 - 10:51PM

Stacks of money are displayed as evidence in a scam case. There were 43,212 scam cases last year, according to police. Photo: Handout

Crime in Hong Kong

Fugitive caught after 37 years handed back to Hong Kong police

Suspect Mui Yiu-keung is believed to have fled the city through illegal means, with no departure record found following 1989 killing on a Sai Kung beach.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:52PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong murder suspect arrested after 37 years on run to be extradited

Mui Yiu-keung was wanted in connection with a brutal murder on a Sai Kung beach in 1989.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM

Crime in Hong Kong

6 arrested over 51 million yen robbery in Hong Kong, with ‘mole’ among victims

Police chief Joe Chow says the six suspects include three Japanese men.

31 Jan 2026 - 10:02PM

Hong Kong police investigate a robbery outside a money exchange shop in Sheung Wan. Photo: Karma Lo

Crime in Hong Kong

Online shopping scams cost Hongkongers HK$14 million in first week of 2026

Police urge caution among consumers and sellers after receiving 276 reports of online shopping fraud last week.

13 Jan 2026 - 12:25PM

The cases and losses reported last week marked a significant increase from the 230 reports and more than HK$5.7 million lost in the final week of 2025. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong police

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong police

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:30AM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Death toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 161 after new DNA match

‘DNA tests are still being carried out, and we do not rule out the possibility that the DNA of other deceased people may be identified,’ police commissioner says.

20 Dec 2025 - 6:40PM

The aftermath of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong police

Hong Kong police officer dies a week after falling ill following diving test

Senior inspector, 31, underwent emergency brain surgery and remained in a critical condition until his death.

11 Dec 2025 - 4:07PM

The Special Duties Unit is an elite squad of the Hong Kong Police Force and carries out high-risk operations. This diver is pictured during a police operation in June. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Steel bars brought in to strengthen building ravaged in Hong Kong’s Tai Po blaze

Bars hauled into flats at Wang Cheong House, the first of seven blocks engulfed by fire, while authorities say probe will take two to three weeks.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:07PMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong orders scaffold netting to be removed at 200 sites in wake of inferno

Police have arrested six men from company responsible for fire alarm system at Wang Fuk Court for allegedly making false declarations.

4 Dec 2025 - 2:58AMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Property firm ISS insists it has ‘admin role’, but Hong Kong watchdog disagrees

Property Management Services Authority vows to rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches in wake of deadly Wang Fuk Court fire.

4 Dec 2025 - 2:30AMvideocam

The fire alarms did not go off when the blaze broke out on Wednesday last week and swept through seven residential blocks. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Digging through Hong Kong’s disaster site left them wanting to cry

Head of Disaster Victim Identification Unit describes difficult conditions team faced in search for bodies at Wang Fuk Court after inferno.

4 Dec 2025 - 2:43PMvideocam

Legislative Council election 2025

Hair-raising: Hong Kong’s top officials style Cantonese puns into poll-day push

Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair.

12 Nov 2025 - 12:09AM

Legislative Council election 2025

Fewer registered professionals, more councillors contesting Hong Kong Legco poll

Post check of declared occupations found that 28 per cent of candidates are professionals, a 10 percentage point decrease over the last poll.

8 Nov 2025 - 10:45PM

The Legislative Council election nomination period closed on Thursday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police strengthen fight against virtual asset crimes with new task force

Despite 16 per cent year-on-year decrease in number of cases to 1,463, financial losses increased by 5 per cent, exceeding HK$2.27 billion.

10 Oct 2025 - 9:21PM

(From left) Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow and Undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Joseph Chan. Photo: Elson Li

Scams and swindles

Editorial | Hong Kong’s growing cross-border cooperation against crime is bearing fruit

Security authorities in the region are seeing the benefits of timely intelligence exchange and joint operations against scam syndicates.

5 Oct 2025 - 7:15AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Exclusive | Hong Kong police chief and regional counterparts discuss scams and training

Police Commissioner Joe Chow says global forum good opportunity to showcase China’s commitment to law enforcement collaboration.

20 Sep 2025 - 8:48PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong youth crime falls by 14%, but drug and assault cases rise

Police made 1,326 arrests in first half of year, down from 1,541 last year, but warn of growing drug and assault offences.

15 Sep 2025 - 10:26PM

Authorities highlight this year’s edition of the youth crime prevention booklet during a press conference at police headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Dickson Lee

US-China relations

Letters | What the US should take away from China’s Victory Day parade

Readers discuss the significance of China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the use of CCTV cameras in Hong Kong.

9 Sep 2025 - 11:30AM

The People Liberation Army’s ground assault formation takes part in a military parade in Beijing on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Photo: Xinhua

Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | No room for complacency in Hong Kong’s fight to combat scam epidemic

Public awareness of the need to guard against investment fraud has grown, but so has the number of cases.

3 Sep 2025 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong politics

John Lee leads Victory Day delegation to Beijing as Hong Kong prepares events

Some Hong Kong schools will arrange for pupils to watch live broadcast of Beijing parade on Wednesday to deepen historical understanding.

2 Sep 2025 - 11:10PM

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Joe Chow Yat-ming

Hong Kong police boost checks at Tai Po fire block after jewellery theft arrests

Workers required to store personal belongings including mobile phones in lockers and not allowed to carry more than HK$500 in cash onto the site.

Fines, penalties and forfeitures pump HK$2.1 billion into government coffers

Hong Kong inspector dies after shooting herself, probe under way

Hong Kong aims to add facial recognition to public CCTVs this year: police chief

Commissioner of Police Joe Chow says high-traffic and strategically located shopping centres will be prioritised.

‘Unforgivable’: police chief slams lawyer, doctors linked to crash-for-cash scams

‘Knowledgeable professionals should not do such immoral and unethical things,’ Commissioner of Police Joe Chow says.

Police chief says no let-up on national security despite stability in Hong Kong

City will continue to ramp up intelligence gathering and education as ‘undercurrents’ of threats persist, Joe Chow says.

Scam cases fall for first time in Hong Kong since 2019, annual figures show

While deception cases accounted for nearly half of 89,137 crimes recorded in 2025, number was down by 2.9 per cent from 2024’s figure.

Fugitive caught after 37 years handed back to Hong Kong police

Suspect Mui Yiu-keung is believed to have fled the city through illegal means, with no departure record found following 1989 killing on a Sai Kung beach.

Hong Kong murder suspect arrested after 37 years on run to be extradited

Mui Yiu-keung was wanted in connection with a brutal murder on a Sai Kung beach in 1989.

6 arrested over 51 million yen robbery in Hong Kong, with ‘mole’ among victims

Police chief Joe Chow says the six suspects include three Japanese men.

Online shopping scams cost Hongkongers HK$14 million in first week of 2026

Police urge caution among consumers and sellers after receiving 276 reports of online shopping fraud last week.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

Death toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 161 after new DNA match

‘DNA tests are still being carried out, and we do not rule out the possibility that the DNA of other deceased people may be identified,’ police commissioner says.

Hong Kong police officer dies a week after falling ill following diving test

Senior inspector, 31, underwent emergency brain surgery and remained in a critical condition until his death.

Steel bars brought in to strengthen building ravaged in Hong Kong’s Tai Po blaze

Bars hauled into flats at Wang Cheong House, the first of seven blocks engulfed by fire, while authorities say probe will take two to three weeks.

Hong Kong orders scaffold netting to be removed at 200 sites in wake of inferno

Police have arrested six men from company responsible for fire alarm system at Wang Fuk Court for allegedly making false declarations.

Property firm ISS insists it has ‘admin role’, but Hong Kong watchdog disagrees

Property Management Services Authority vows to rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches in wake of deadly Wang Fuk Court fire.

Digging through Hong Kong’s disaster site left them wanting to cry

Head of Disaster Victim Identification Unit describes difficult conditions team faced in search for bodies at Wang Fuk Court after inferno.

Hair-raising: Hong Kong’s top officials style Cantonese puns into poll-day push

Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair.

Fewer registered professionals, more councillors contesting Hong Kong Legco poll

Post check of declared occupations found that 28 per cent of candidates are professionals, a 10 percentage point decrease over the last poll.

Hong Kong police strengthen fight against virtual asset crimes with new task force

Despite 16 per cent year-on-year decrease in number of cases to 1,463, financial losses increased by 5 per cent, exceeding HK$2.27 billion.

Editorial | Hong Kong’s growing cross-border cooperation against crime is bearing fruit

Security authorities in the region are seeing the benefits of timely intelligence exchange and joint operations against scam syndicates.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Hong Kong police chief and regional counterparts discuss scams and training

Police Commissioner Joe Chow says global forum good opportunity to showcase China’s commitment to law enforcement collaboration.

Hong Kong youth crime falls by 14%, but drug and assault cases rise

Police made 1,326 arrests in first half of year, down from 1,541 last year, but warn of growing drug and assault offences.

Letters | What the US should take away from China’s Victory Day parade

Readers discuss the significance of China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the use of CCTV cameras in Hong Kong.

Editorial | No room for complacency in Hong Kong’s fight to combat scam epidemic

Public awareness of the need to guard against investment fraud has grown, but so has the number of cases.

John Lee leads Victory Day delegation to Beijing as Hong Kong prepares events

Some Hong Kong schools will arrange for pupils to watch live broadcast of Beijing parade on Wednesday to deepen historical understanding.

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

Exclusive | Hong Kong police chief and regional counterparts discuss scams and training