WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1982
11
USE OF FIREARMS BY POLICE
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THE RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF FIREARMS BY POLICE OFFICERS ARE THE SAME WHETHER THE OFFICERS CONCERNED ARE ON OR OFF DUTY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR DAVIES SAID A POLICE OFFICER MAY USE A FIREARM TO PROTECT HIMSELF OR ANY OTHER PERSON FROM DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY, OR TO ARREST ANY PERSON WHOM HE HAS REASON TO BELIEVE HAS COMMITTED A SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIME.
+WHENEVER IT IS OFFICIALLY KNOWN THAT A POLICE REVOLVER HAS BEEN EITHER DRAWN FROM ITS HOLSTER OR FIRED DURING THE COURSE OF AN INCIDENT, A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION FOLLOWS.
+ IF THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SHOW INSUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR SUCH ACTION, DISCIPLINARY OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MAY BE
INSTITUTED AGAINST THE OFFICER CONCERNED.+
MR DAVIES SAID THE REGULATIONS CONCERNING CARRIAGE AND SAFEGUARDING OF ARMS BY AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER ARE
(A) HE MAY CARRY HIS REVOLVER PROVIDED HIS INTENDED
ACTIVITIES ARE COMPATIABLE WITH ITS SECURITY;
(B) IF HIS INTENDED ACTIVITIES ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH ITS SECURITY HE MUST DEPOSIT THE REVOLVER IN THE ARMOURY OF A POLICE STATION; AND
(C) IF HE IS AT HOME HE MUST UNLOAD THE REVOLVER AND LOCK
IT AND THE AMMUNITION IN A SECURE PLACE AND TAKE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS TO SECURE THE KEY USED.
EARLIER, MR DAVIES POINTED OUT THAT ONLY POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE PERMITTED TO CARRY ARMS WHEN OFF DUTY WERE ISSUED WITH REVOLVERS ON PERSONAL CHARGE.
HE SAID UNDER CURRENT POLICY SUCH ISSUES WERE MADE TO JUNIOR OFFICERS WHO BY THE NATURE OF THEIR DUTIES WERE MOST LIKELY TO BE CALLED UPON TO PERFORM DUTY AT SHORT NOTICE, AND BE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHETHER ON OR OFF DUTY.
+ IN PRACTICE ISSUES ARE RESTRICTED TO JUNIOR OFFICERS IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT AND TO SOME IN SPECIAL BRANCH (EXCEPT THOSE PERMANENTLY ENGAGED ON INDOOR DUTIES).
+ IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OTHER OFFICERS MAY ALSO BE ISSUED WITH PERSONAL ARMS WITH THE APPROVAL OF A DIRECTORATE OFFICER,+ MR DAVIES SAID.
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