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Questions on new batons

I refer to my letter "More Options May Mean Less Fatal Shootings" which appeared in these columns in Issue 648 (January 27 to February 9, 1999), in which I suggested the issue of an extendible baton to Uniform Branch officers.

The reply stated: "Officers will be required to undergo a short training course before carrying this baton on duty. The Training Wing will co-ordinate the training and hopefully completion of the training will coincide with the completion of purchase procedures in May 1999."

In June, myself and a number of other officers helped train the majority of front-line officers in the Force. Now that this training has been completed, I would like to know when the batons will be issued. If new batons are not issued within a relatively short period the danger is officers trained may have forgotten how to use them.

I would also like to know whether there will be an appropriate "Training Manual", something which officers can refer to if they have to defend their use of the baton in court.

Such a manual will also ensure that in future all instructors teach to the same standard, rather than 'personalising' their lectures and instruction. If an appropriate manual is not made available then the Force may have difficulty in defending the use of the baton and the training given to officers.

N. A. Pearson
Senior Inspector
Enforcement & Control Division/Traffic/Hong Kong Island




Reply from Support Wing

The extendible baton training will be completed by the end of August. Extendible batons and their pouches will then be issued to all formations in September.

As far as the training manual is concerned, the Training Wing is in the process of producing a training video and a handout on resistance control tactics. Instructions on baton tactics will be included in the training.

I wish to thank your reader for his ideas. Should there be any other queries please contact me on 2860-2541.

Law Cheuk-hung
Superintendent/Field/Support







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