David Hodson’s career with the police in Hong Kong spanned 38 years, from 1962 to 1999. He was Head of Interpol Hong Kong for 4 years being responsible for international liaison. For 20 years he was head of specialist criminal investigation bureaus dealing with narcotics, criminal intelligence, and organized crime. He was appointed as Assistant Commissioner (Crime) from 1994 until 1997 being responsible for all bureaus at Headquarters and for policy and professional standards of criminal investigation throughout the Force.

He has received specialist training in criminal investigation in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Interpol HQ, UN Division of Drugs and China. He has been a regular speaker at international conferences and at the University of Hong Kong. His expertise is in developing strategies to deal with crime in an environment sensitive to human rights and investigating crime in a Chinese community.

On retirement in 1997, he was re-engaged by the Hong Kong Police as Consultant for Crime and Security for 2 years during the transition of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty, dealing with sensitive operations for the police and ICAC. He was appointed as the first Hon. Director of the Centre for Criminology at the University of Hong Kong from 1999 until 2004. In recognition of his distinguished service to the University he was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Criminology for life. In 2001 he was appointed as a Visiting Professor at the Chinese People’s Security University, Beijing. He is a founding Director of Oxfam Hong Kong and was a member of the Council (Board of Directors) for 23 years. In September 2011, he was appointed as an Honorary Adviser to the Police College, Hong Kong Police.

In 1976, he received the Award of Special Honour from the Association of International Narcotic Law Enforcement Officers. He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for meritorious service in 1975 and the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service in 1994.