SSP T Paul Croft shows boots and gloves on trial and new-issue helmets and lenses

Some 500 full-face helmets with in-built radio microphones and speakers have been delivered along with about 3,000 pairs of clear lenses.

The helmets are adjustable to give officers both full-face and open-face options to allow for good safety and ventilation. They also allow hands-free access to their police radio via a simple electric cable which runs to a microphone and speaker in the helmet.

The delivery comes as the Force continues to look at helmets from around the world to seek further improvements.

Meanwhile the clear lenses would benefit riders in wet weather conditions and at night by keeping dirt and grit from their eyes.

Traffic Branch Headquarters Senior Superintendent (Administration) Paul Croft said 1,700 lenses were now being issued with the remainder held for future issue.

"At night and in wet weather, riders like to lift their visors for better vision and to prevent steaming up, but they still need to keep dirt from getting in their eyes. Also, water on visors can impair their view of the road, particularly at slow speeds when the drops can't run off. The lenses offer this protection while keeping their vision clear," Mr Croft said. The lenses are made of plastic to provide good durability and safety. Another big advantage was they come with a darkened snap-on lens for easy conversion into sunglasses on bright days.

Motorcycle officers would also soon be issued with berets replacing police caps and freeing up pannier space. Senior Management recently approved the move in the wake of several requests raised in OffBeat's letters page from Traffic officers.

"Now all officers on motorcycle duties can wear the berets when they are dismounted. The berets can conveniently be rolled up and kept in their pannier which is full of a lot of other items like wet-weather gear, first aid, paperwork and other equipment, which can make it hard to carry the Force cap also," Mr Croft said.

And the improvements are set to continue with tests under way on new boots, gloves and other items.

Mr Croft said six sets of motorcycle boots were currently on trial featuring a new design to prevent the top digging into the back of riders' knees. "It is a copy of the general-issue boot except for the back of the top part which has been lowered by about two centimetres. So now the angle of the top actually goes down from front to back instead of vice versa," he said.

"We are also looking at Goretex-lined boots which might offer better weather resistance and breathability."

New gloves were also being tested to find a design suitable for year-round comfort and safety in Hong Kong's weather extremes. They must also be flexible enough to allow officers to use their weapons and to operate machinery while wearing them. Riders presently use the long leather "gauntlet-style" gloves or white woollen ones.

"We are testing gloves which we hope can be worn in both summer and winter, with kevlar protection on the back and palm and reflective material so officers' signals are seen at night when directing traffic" Mr Croft said, adding breeches were also being studied. "We are trying to provide a year-round uniform, a hybrid which not only makes riders identifiable as Police, but also one which conforms to our unique climate while upping safety. We have a very large fleet of motorcycles in respect to any force in the world, so health and safety is a very high priority."



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