Hong Kong Policeman by Chris Emmett

Author:Chris Emmett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Earnshaw Books
Published: 2014-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

SHIELDS AND HELMETS

BEFORE THE PRO-TAIWAN riots of 1956, Hong Kong Police anti-riot strategy was pretty basic. Each division had three anti-riot platoons which, under the command of the divisional superintendent, formed the divisional anti-riot company. A platoon had four sections, each representing an increasing level of force. Number one section carried three-foot long batons and rattan shields. Number two section was the tear gas and baton shell section. Number three section carried shotguns and semi-automatic carbines. Number four section was the arrest section with orders to pick up what was left after the other three sections had done their job. Platoon members were not anti-riot specialists, they were ordinary beat constables drafted in when needed. Other than basic weapon handling, there was no formal training and it was the divisional superintendent’s job to make sure it all worked.

As far as operational policy went, this was a bad one and the 1956 riots revealed gaping holes in police ability to deal with a major disturbance. The force needed standardised tactics and, more importantly, it needed officers who were properly trained to put the new tactics into action. Then, in 1958, the army vacated their barracks at Volunteer Slopes, near Fanling railway station. The police jumped at the chance to take over a facility tailor made for military style training. There was a drill-square, a firing range, a gymnasium, a canteen and sleeping accommodation. In 1958, Volunteer Slopes reopened as the Police Training Contingent. Police headquarters issued orders requiring every officer between the ranks of constable and inspector to undergo PTC training.

Having taken over the barracks, the force discovered why the army had vacated it. The place was on its last legs. The camp buildings were just a scattering of semi-cylindrical structures made of corrugated iron. Called Nissen huts, they were painted silver and from the air, looked like a scattering of drinks cans half buried on their sides. On the basis that it was better than nothing, the force gritted its teeth and classified Volunteer Slopes as temporary accommodation, a status it kept for twenty-eight years.

With specialist training, the force’s ability to counter public disorder improved beyond measure. When faced with pro-communist riots in 1967, the force proved well up to the job. Later, the Police Training Contingent became the Police Tactical Unit and its officers started to wear the headgear that earned them their more popular name -- the Blue Berets.

On a crisp February morning, my battered old Ford banged across the level crossing at Fanling railway station. Beyond the station was a tree-lined lane and within a few minutes I came to a sign that read:

‘POLICE TACTICAL UNIT HOME OF THE BLUE BERETS’

A constable waved me to a stop. He wore black trousers and a khaki jumper over his bush shirt. On his head was a navy-blue beret. Behind the cap badge a diagonal stripe bore the force colours of gold and maroon. He checked my name on his clipboard. ‘Emmett … Emmett … Ah, Mister Emmett, Charlie company cadre course.

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