[hollyer]

I'm constantly being pulled up by police for ID check and a few times for clothing and bag search which is very intrusive. It happened again this morning as I left my apartment to catch the bus to go to work.

I try to get a good explanation in English from the police when it happens but all they say is "it's just my job" and "it's random immigration duty" and "suspect you are carrying something". Guilty of carrying an umbrella, a bottle of water and my lunch!

Really if it's "random" I never see the police checking the Chinese businessman that's standing next to me, or the lady walking in front, or the young couple holding hands. I've been stopped up to 20 times, if only I was this "random" lucky at Mark Six I wouldn't need to work anymore.

And it's not that I'm at bad places like red light districts, counterfeit markets. Interestingly, it always happens in HK island and when I'm by myself on the main streets, never happens in Kowloon which is more seedy and populated.

Does anyone else who's a "banana" (ABC, CBC, etc) have this problem because of your looks, your dress sense? It's annoying that it happens often and I don't really know why or how I could prevent it.

I've been living here 2 years and have PR. I'm a teacher at one of the top international schools in HK. I was born and educated in Australia and this is my first job abroad.

I'm in my late 20's with HK parents. Born and raised in Australia I have strong aussie accent and I don't have the typical honkie look or personality. I'm not used to being stopped and checked for no real reason, I didn't do anything, didn't pick up anything or speak to anyone.

How many times have you been checked at "random"?

[freeier]

what do you dressed as ? provocative ?

[KnowItAll]

It is never random. There is a fair bit of profiling that goes on and if any cop denies this.. he is lying.

http://www.info.gov.hk/police/hkp-ho...misc/power.htm

[Mr.Bing]

Are you male or female?

[HKChigger]

I see lots and lots of males in their 20's stopped and searched. They are always alone and Chinese. Once a cop stopped a guy in Prince Edward Station and was a ABC. The cop asked for ID and guy was like, "uh is passport ok?" and the cop waved him on right away lol.

You said you don't look like a Hong Konger, you wouldn't look like a mainlander by any chance would you? How is your dress code? If they see someone looking Chinese without proper Chinese profile they may suspect something and stop you.

[dicesix]

Hollyer, I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I would like to answer your question, but would have to know how you dress or look like.

Whenever I witnessed police pulling up people for a bag search, those people were male most of the time. They were either young teenagers (Mong Kok style) or (probably) from the Mainland because I heard them speak Mandarin or Non-Chinese/ Non-Westeners.

[sylvesterjay]

I would think once you show them your HKID card with PR on it, they have no reason to search your bag. so tell them to stuff it and walk away

[climber07]

I saw them twice ask Chinese guys in their 20's for ID at the Central & Admiralty MTR, I didn't notice anything unusual about them per say, but I'm sure I don't have a trained eye for what the police are looking for. On both occassions they gave them back their IDs within one or two minutes.

[Monde]

Originally Posted by sylvesterjay

so tell them to stuff it and walk away

That will probably get you arrested. There is something that is triggering a warning in the police. Just because you are a Hong Kong Local or have a ID card does not suddenly stop you from being a criminal....Not saying that Hollyer is but that is what they are looking for.

Thank goodness that they are as it makes the streets safer for all of us.

[Sunfire]

What are one's rights when it comes to this kind of thing anyway? I know they can ask for your ID at any time, and that makes sense. But what about when they want to search you or your possessions? Can they just say they think you're carrying something suspicious and go through your things at any time?