Description
In the 1950s and 1960s, Hong Kong experienced large-scale unrest and riots on several occasions such as the Double Tenth riots in 1956, the Star Ferry fare increase riots in 1966 and the 1967 riots.
The Double Tenth riots caused 59 deaths and over 300 casualties in just two days. The strong desire to enhance its riot control capabilities led the Force to allocate HK$1.5 million to set up a dedicated unit to cope with emergencies.
In February 1958, the Police Training Contingent was set up at the Fanling Barracks at the foot of Volunteer Slopes in Fanling. It was responsible for riot control, crowd management and the reopening of blocked roads, etc.
The Star Ferry fare increase riots in 1966 and the 1967 riots eventually came to an end with the deployment of the Police Training Contingent. In the early days, the riot police were equipped with only crude helmets and shields for protection.
After the 1967 riots, the Force restructured itself and strengthened the riot control function. In 1968, the Police Training Contingent was disbanded and a new unit was established: the Police Tactical Unit (PTU), headquartered in the former Police Training Contingent. At that time, the Force invited instructors from the British Army in Hong Kong to train the PTU officers. The training instructors incorporated local elements into the British Army’s riot control tactics and trainees had to undergo very stringent paramilitary riot control training. In 1969, the dark blue beret was introduced to the PTU for the comfort of its officers; hence, the Unit was dubbed the “Blue Berets”.
