Baton-wielding cops subdue chopper-wielding thug
Prompt reaction by two patrolling policemen in Yau Ma Tei recently interrupted an armed attack on a group of people and arrested a chopper-wielding thug.
The two officers from Yau Ma Tei Division (YMTDIV) Patrol Sub-Unit One, Police Constable (PC) Mr Tse Hung-lok and PC Mr Sin Chi-sing, were carrying out a stop and search operation at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street in the early morning of July 10 when their attention was diverted by a nearby fracas involving five men.
They saw that a man armed with a chopper, and another man armed with an iron pot, were attacking a group of three unarmed men outside the entrance to a karaoke bar following a dispute inside. One of the victims had obviously been badly wounded by the chopper-wielder. The two officers immediately ran towards the group calling on them to cease fighting.
Realising that the pavement was too crowded, and victims and attackers too close together to risk drawing their revolvers or use OC Foam, both officers drew their batons and extended them.
As they got close to the group, with batons at the ready, warnings were issued and the attackers fled. The two officers set off in hot pursuit and soon caught up with the chopper-wielder. In order to control the male, Mr Tse used his baton to strike him once on the left thigh. The assailant dropped the chopper and was quickly subdued, handcuffed and arrested.
It was subsequently confirmed that one of the victims had received serious chop wounds to his arms and required hospitalisation. There can be no doubt that had Mr Tse and Mr Sin not intervened the injuries would have been very much worse. The chopper-wielding thug was subsequently charged with 'wounding with intent'.
YMTDIV Commander Acting Superintendent Mr Mark Foster commented: "Both officers acted in a thoroughly professional manner and quickly selected the most appropriate level of force to use in the situation prevailing. Their speed of thought in eschewing the use of revolvers and OC Foam and tackling the chopper-wielder with only their batons is most commendable." He concluded by saying: "Mr Tse and Mr Sin have both been carefully trained on the use of batons and the current mini-range training being conducted by the Force is assisting officers by presenting realistic scenarios of this nature to test their decision making process in a controlled environment."
Batons at the ready, warning issued!