Eric Chan Yat-ming has officially assumed the role of Commissioner of Police today, succeeding Siu Chak-yee, who has retired. Chan’s appointment was approved by the State Council following the recommendation of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee.
A Career Spanning Three Decades
Chan, 52, graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1995 and immediately joined the Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved in criminal investigations and intelligence gathering, accumulating experience at district, regional, and headquarters levels.
Promoted to Superintendent in 2010, he worked in the Criminal Intelligence Bureau before being seconded to INTERPOL’s Secretariat in Lyon, France, between 2012 and 2013. His overseas experience provided him with a global perspective on crime prevention and policing strategies.
After returning to Hong Kong, Chan was promoted to Senior Superintendent in 2013 and took on the role of Deputy Commander of the Criminal Intelligence Bureau. He later served as the head of the bureau when he was made Chief Superintendent in 2016. In 2017, he became the commander of Yau Tsim Police District, and in early 2019, he was appointed Deputy Commander of Kowloon West Region. During the Polytechnic University siege in November 2019, he acted as the operational commander, overseeing the police response in what was one of the most controversial episodes of the anti-government protests.
Steady Rise to Leadership
In February 2020, Chan was promoted to Assistant Commissioner, leading the Operations and later the Personnel and Training departments. He was then appointed Senior Assistant Commissioner in January 2021, overseeing personnel management, before moving to the Crime and Security Department in August that year.
In April 2022, he became Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management), and by August 2023, he had taken over as Deputy Commissioner (Operations), overseeing all law enforcement activities. Over the years, he has received training at institutions in mainland China, Harvard University, the UK College of Policing, and the Scottish Police College, further strengthening his leadership credentials.
Salary and Compensation
As Commissioner of Police, Chan will receive a monthly salary of between £32,450 and £33,450 (HKD 320,590 – 330,115), according to the Hong Kong government’s pay scale for top police officials. This places him among the highest-paid public servants in the city.
Will Eric Chan Be the Next “Honoured” Target of US Sanctions?
Just two days before Chan’s appointment, the US government imposed sanctions on his predecessor, Siu Chak-yee, citing his role in enforcing the National Security Law and suppressing political opposition. This move has raised questions about whether Chan will soon find himself in Washington’s crosshairs.
Given that the position of Hong Kong’s Police Commissioner appears to have become a regular fixture on the US Treasury’s “watchlist,” Chan may soon discover whether he, too, will be granted the dubious honour of being sanctioned. If history is any indication, he may need to prepare for the possibility that his international travel and financial assets could be subject to restrictions—perhaps even before he has had the chance to arrange his first overseas work trip.
While some within the Hong Kong establishment might view such sanctions as a badge of honour, they can also bring practical inconveniences. Restricted banking access, travel limitations, and potential reputational damage could affect Chan’s ability to engage with international law enforcement bodies—a task that previous Hong Kong police commissioners used to undertake with relative ease.
As Chan steps into his new role, the international community and Hongkongers worldwide will be watching closely to see whether he will be the next recipient of this “exclusive membership” or whether Washington will hold off, at least for now.
