Peter Godber

Who is Peter Godber?

Peter Fitzroy Godber was a former Chief Superintendent of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Embroiled in a bribery scandal shortly before his retirement in 1973, he fled to the United Kingdom. He was apprehended in 1974 by British police and extradited back to Hong Kong and subsequently convicted for police corruption and bribery. Godber was sentenced to four years in prison with HK$25,000 in restitution.

Before his downfall on corruption charges, Godber had been regarded as a brave and effective senior police officer who played a leading role in restoring order during the major disturbances of 1966-1967 and who was decorated for his efforts. At this time, instigated by the Chinese government, Communists in Hong Kong tried to bring down the colonial administration. Hong Kong was subject to bomb attacks, riots and violence against those regarded by the Communists as opposing re-unification. A number of Hong Kong policemen were killed by bombs and attacks in the streets.

Before his retirement in 1973, Godber had amassed no less than 4.3 million Hong Kong Dollars in his overseas and local bank accounts.