police cannot speak english!

friend was in a car accident (first time here) and taxi hit him. police arrived but couldn't speak English so had to call friend's wife. police explained that they would like both parties to settle and can always contact police later. left a police slip with reference number then left. after getting a quote on the damage the taxi driver refused to settle. friend then called the police (based on info on the police slip) to say no settlement achieved, would like to leave statement. a police called back (good English) and say an officer x is now handling the case. friend called officer x the next day with questions and asked for officer x and he doesn't speak English and instead asked to speak to the Chinese speaking wife! wife says husband would like to make a statement and they said they cannot because they need to engage a official translator! they asked if anyone can speak english and they insisted trtanslator is better.

while this English issue was dragging on, the taxi driver went to the police and made a statement claiming he was not at fault.

my friend (and I now hearing his story) is quite concerned that he will not get a fair case due to not one can speak English and dragging the case.

can we request an English speaking officer? and would that make the case take even longer?

should my friend just go the police station and make a statement and if they can't speak English again just launch a complain?

it is very ridiculous that in hong kong police officers do not speak English.

"it is very ridiculous that in hong kong police officers do not speak English." wow, where are you from? are you trying to tell us that all Italian police speaks English, Russian police speaks English and Filipino police speaks english and ... ??


C'mon, this is a Chinese city, and you should know that Cantonese/Chinese is the first language here. Probably you should know that there is going to be some language barrier when you are in a non-English speaking city...

That is rubbish. Lots of police.speak English.


Just go to a large station like Wan Chai and make a statement.


Should not be a problem. Get the.original officer who fobbed it off involved.


Or.write to PIC, you can do.that in English, that I know for sure.

are you saying it is ok for an international city of Hong Kong's stature to have police officers who refuse to speak English (or get involved in cases where English is required)?

how is that ok when say you have a hostage situation? or a terrible traffic accident? or even something simpler say a tourist asking for direction?

when my friend called for the policed, it was clear that the police was speaking to a non-Chinese speaking person because they ask for the name, etc.

and to answer your question: yes, Italian police speaks English. if the original officer did not speak English, they had a one who spoke very good English. I have this experience - same for Spanish police...

that is how things should work.

hong kong police entrance exam includes English and after 1997, putonghua (the basic law in full and simplified characters). wake up.

I think the OP has a very specific question. I'm not sure if he/she will get the answer here but people with nothing to contribute or help should perhaps refrain from making useless comments.

Amparo Kia for your information both English and Cantonese are the official languages of Hong Kong.


Nigella if you require an English speaking Officer, YES! you can request one and if the original Officer was unable to communicate with you, you are within your rights to request an English speaking Officer attend the scene. If you are denied then you must insist on speaking to the Duty Officer. I would advise your friend to go to the Station and make a statement and insist on an English speaking Officer. They will find you one!

to add: If the said Police Station is requesting that your friend provide a translator I would advise him to contact the Station Commander and ask him who is going to pay the cost. I can assure you the Commander will find you an English speaking Officer. I have never heard of such a case before and as for the Police requesting he provides a translator that is just nonsense. I do believe he has a certain amount of time to make a statement (30 days maybe) so he needs to ensure he does not go over that time limit.

thank you JJChan.

my friend called up the police again and explained that he that wasn't given a fair chance for his side of the story. fortunately a subordinate answered the call and organised his statement with a translator within 24 hours. my friend did find out that the investigating officer did not speak English well and was going away for a 3 week holiday which was why he pushed everything back (whtouth explaining to my friend of course). that wasn't so great but apart from that my friend feels better now. he is waiting for the police to complete investigation.

btw - it's 10 days to make a statement from the time of incident.