The head of the ICAC's L Group moved fast, arriving at Police Force Headquarters with his men in less than fifteen minutes.
The officers at the downstairs reception immediately passed the news up through the ranks, until it finally reached the Political Investigation Department's Office Area.
Under normal procedures, investigators from the Independent Commission Against Corruption had the authority and right to enter most areas within Hong Kong Island.
But the Police Force's National Security Department clearly fell outside that normal scope.
Never mind that the Independent Commission Against Corruption's current investigation did not target the Police Force's National Security Department.
Even if a member of that department really had come under suspicion, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption had obtained leads,
the eventual investigation would still not be as simple as the Independent Commission Against Corruption issuing an investigation order and then proceeding.
Formal written authorization from the Hong Kong Government's National Security Committee was required, and various confidentiality regulations also had to be observed throughout the investigation.
After all, the significance of the Police Force's National Security Department went far beyond that of a Hong Kong Government disciplined service.
Many of the secrets involved even extended beyond Hong Kong Island's boundaries.
What was more, the Independent Commission Against Corruption's L Group only had investigative authority over the commission's internal affairs.
Therefore, without formal investigation documents from senior officials, or an invitation and permission from National Security Department personnel,
the head of the ICAC's L Group was stopped right at the reception of Police Force Headquarters.
To put it bluntly, investigators from the Independent Commission Against Corruption might have had the authority to force their way into Zhou Quan's office, or even Hong Kong Island Government House.
But if they forced their way into the National Security Department's offices,