Chinese Life in the 19–20th Century - Law and Order
In the captivating tapestry of nineteenth-century Hong Kong, a thriving metropolis emerged, seamlessly blending the East and West in magnificent harmony. Amidst lush hills and glistening waters, momentous historical events unfolded, shaping the city’s destiny. The narrow streets wafted the scent of incense and spices, attracting adventurers from distant lands to a city flourishing amidst the winds of change.
During this transformative era, iconic transportation infrastructure weaved itself into the fabric of Hong Kong’s identity. The Star Ferry, linking Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, bridged time and space with its captivating maritime allure. Ascending the steep slopes of Victoria Peak, the Peak Tram offered awe-inspiring vistas of the city. The Kowloon-Canton Railway intertwined the city’s fate with the mainland, propelling Hong Kong into a pivotal trading hub. Amidst the crescendo of progress, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) headquarters stood as a testament to the city’s economic might and entrepreneurial spirit.
However, beneath the bustling streets of Hong Kong, a clandestine world unraveled in the nineteenth century. Opium dens whispered forbidden pleasures, while secret societies known as Triads wielded influence, engaging in extortion and organized crime. Theft and piracy lurked along the waterfront, preying upon merchants and seafarers. Despite the efforts of the British colonial authorities, crime thrived, leaving a somber mark on the city’s history.
Vices
The opium trade played a significant role in Hong Kong’s criminal landscape. The Treaty of Nanking and subsequent negotiations failed to address the opium trade, leading to an informal regulatory system. British opium traders were barred from direct trade in the Treaty ports, resulting in an underground network facilitated by unofficial intermediaries. This unregulated system allowed the opium trade to flourish for 45 years. Opium ships became lucrative targets for pirates due to the drug’s high value.
Prostitution was seen as an inevitable vice, and efforts were made to control venereal diseases through Contagious Diseases Acts. Similar measures were introduced during Governor Sir John Bowring’s tenure. Gambling was widespread among the Chinese population, prompting the colonial government to license gambling dens in an attempt to regulate it.
HKPF
In 1841, when the Union Flag was raised over Possession Point, Hong Kong Island had a modest population of approximately 6,000 people. The majority of inhabitants were Tanka fishermen and Hakka charcoal burners residing in impoverished coastal villages. However, with the sudden influx of merchants eager to conduct business in the new trading hub across the Pearl River, the population swiftly soared. The harbor transformed into a bustling hub, welcoming ships from various nations and fostering vibrant trade. Alongside legitimate establishments, less reputable businesses such as grog shops, gambling dens, opium parlors, and brothels sprang up, posing a challenge to law and order.
Two months after the British arrival, lawlessness reached a critical point. Pirates roamed the waters surrounding Hong Kong, and there was no organized police force to tackle the situation. To address this, Captain Charles Elliot, the British plenipotentiary who had seized Hong Kong, appointed Captain William Caine of the 26th Foot Regiment as Chief Magistrate. Caine assumed the responsibility of managing the police, magistrates’ court, and jail, all within a limited budget for salaries and facilities.
In 1844, the law and order situation had not significantly improved. Private watchmen attempted to maintain order but achieved limited success. Finally, on 1 May 1844, the first Police Ordinance was enacted, officially establishing the Colonial Police Force. This marked the foundation of a professional and disciplined law enforcement body in Hong Kong, modeled after London’s Metropolitan Police, which had been formed just 12 years earlier.
The early Hong Kong Police Force was chaotic and disorganized, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Chinese, Europeans, and Indians. However, in 1845, Captain Superintendent Charles May arrived and implemented significant improvements. He reformed the force, assembling a 171-strong team and establishing police stations at strategic locations. May also introduced better conditions of service, including fair pay, pensions, and accommodations, although recruiting suitable constables remained a challenge.
Despite the difficulties, the force expanded alongside Hong Kong’s growing prosperity. Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, new police stations were constructed, ensuring a more extensive presence across the territory. However, maintaining law and order remained an ongoing battle, especially during turbulent times such as the Tai Ping Rebellion, which resulted in an influx of refugees.
In 1862, Charles May handed over the Police Force to William Quin and assumed the role of Police Magistrate. Quin implemented stringent discipline and brought in experienced personnel to further strengthen the force. By 1867, the force boasted nearly 600 officers, with a significant contingent of Indian constables.
In 1893, Francis May assumed command of the force, leading it through challenging times, including the handling of the plague outbreak in Tai Ping Shan in 1894. May played a pivotal role not only in running the police force but also in other areas of governance, such as fire services, prisons, and the legislative council.
The 20th century brought both hopes and turmoil. Trade continued to thrive, but political changes in China incited unrest. The police faced challenges, including strikes, boycotts, and the maintenance of peace during periods of upheaval. World War I further strained the force as many officers enlisted in the military. However, civilians were recruited as Special Constables to support the regular force, marking the beginning of a tradition of dedicated service.
Punishments
Throughout the nineteenth century, Hong Kong gained a reputation as a colonial enclave where corporal punishment, such as the lash and rattan, was more prevalent than anywhere else in the world. The use of custodial sentences only became more common in the latter part of the century, never fully replacing corporal punishment. As Hong Kong developed into a thriving trading port after its establishment in 1841, colonial authorities employed various forms of punishment against criminals. Transportation, imprisonment, prison hulks, flogging, banishment, and branding were all experimented with by successive governors in their efforts to maintain social order on an island perceived to be plagued by mainland criminals.
These approaches were rooted in deterrence and differential treatment, aimed at preventing crime rather than rehabilitating offenders. As imprisonment gradually became the only viable alternative to transportation and flogging, the principle of “less eligibility” was applied to prisoners, subjecting them to arduous labor and meager provisions. However, even within prisons, European and Chinese prisoners were subjected to different diets and types of labor.
The concept of moral reformation was introduced towards the end of the 1870s, championed by an unpopular governor with the support of London, despite resistance from colonial authorities and European communities in Hong Kong. While custodial sentences became the primary penalty for offenders, local elites opposed the construction of a prison based on the separate system, which featured individual cells — a hallmark of the reformative approach prevailing in Europe. It was not until 1936, with backing from the Colonial Office, that a new prison embracing the reformative approach was established. On the other hand, the abandonment of flogging within prisons was delayed for several decades after World War II due to a lack of popular support from both European and Chinese communities. Although the use of the cat o’ nine tails was outlawed in July 1948, with a preserved sample held as a museum piece, the cane continued to be employed on juvenile and adult prisoners for many years.
Tai Kwan and Center of Justice
With a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century, the Central Police Station Compound in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, stands as a testament to its evolution in meeting the law enforcement needs under British colonial rule. Initially comprising low-rise buildings, the site gained official recognition in 1995 when the Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison were designated as Declared Monuments.
In 1841, Captain William Caine assumed the role of Chief Magistrate and oversaw the construction of the first magistracy and prison. The Colonial Police Force was established in 1844, and Superintendent Charles May proposed the reconstruction of gaols and a new magistracy to accommodate the growing population and rising crime rates.
In response to prison overcrowding in 1862, Victoria Gaol underwent redevelopment based on a radial plan. By 1864, the first-generation Central Police Station had been relocated, and the Barrack Block was completed, establishing an integrated law enforcement system encompassing the police station, magistracy, and prison facilities.
Governor Sir William Robinson approved a prison extension in 1893, resulting in additional buildings and the demolition of parts of Victoria Gaol. In 1914, the Central Magistracy underwent reconstruction, housing two courtrooms and commencing operations the following year. A new Police Headquarters Block was constructed in 1919, featuring an authoritative façade facing Hollywood Road. The Prisons Department assumed control of the prisons in 1920, marking a significant shift. Notably, Victoria Gaol housed Ho Chi-minh, the former Vietnamese leader, from 1931 to 1933 and experienced temporary closures and conversions between 1937 and 1939. During World War II, the compound suffered severe bomb damage and was utilized by the Japanese military. Post-war repairs and construction led to the reopening of the Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison in 1946.
The 1967 Riots saw the former Central Police Station transformed into a control room, while the Central Magistracy heard numerous riot-related cases, and the Victoria Remand Prison served as a detention facility. In 1967, the Victoria Remand Prison transitioned into the Victoria Reception Centre and later reverted to its original function as Victoria Prison. The Central Magistracy was decommissioned in 1979, serving different purposes until its conversion in 1984. The influx of illegal immigrants prompted the establishment of the Victoria Immigration Centre in 1980. Notably, the Prisons Department became the Correctional Services Department in 1982, emphasizing rehabilitation. In 1984, the 19th-century watchtower known as Bauhinia House became a halfway house for women inmates. This historic compound continues to stand as a significant landmark, representing the transformation of Hong Kong’s law enforcement system over the years.
