During this period, he was in charge of restoring order after rioting broke out at Vietnamese boat people detention centres across Hong Kong against the policy of mandatory repatriation.

He became well known for ordering the playing of Beethoven's 5th Symphony over a PA system to cover the noise of protesters at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

He personally visited the scene of the fatal shooting of a police officer by another in Tsim Sha Tsui in the small hours of 17 March 2006.

Lee's handling of militant Korean protesters during the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in December 2006 earned him local and international acclaim.

He has stated on an RTHK interview that he will no longer work for a salary after his retirement and intends to spend more time with his family and promoting local sports in Hong Kong.