Hong Kong police have appointed 江學禮 to lead its national security department, replacing retired deputy commissioner for national security 簡啟恩. The appointment was made by Chief Executive John KC Lee under Article 16(2) of the Hong Kong National Security Law.
It took effect on 22 September 2026. The new chief took the oath of office the same day, with Lee witnessing the ceremony.
簡啟恩 had served 35 years in the police force before retiring this month.
The new chief joined the police in 1996 as an inspector. From 2013 to 2016, he was seconded to Hong Kong's Security Bureau, where he worked as an assistant secretary in an emergency support unit and as an organiser of cross-department counter-terrorism exercises. He later commanded several units in the police security branch.
His progression into national security leadership began with his appointment as assistant commissioner for national security in 2020. He became head of the police national security division in 2023 and, according to Lee, has worked in that division since the National Security Law came into force.
Lee described his performance as outstanding and said he had shown strong leadership and a high degree of national security awareness. The chief executive also said he was confident the new department head could take on greater responsibility and make a greater contribution to national security.