HONG KONG: POLICE TACTICAL UNIT PREPARING FOR HANDOVER

(13 Jun 1997) English/Nat
Hong Kong police have been demonstrating the muscle power of its Police Tactical Unit (P-T-U).
The unit is used to control demonstrations, disperse crowds and disarm violent criminals.
With the handover of the British colony to China just two weeks away, senior Hong Kong officers are preparing for every situation.
This is the situation Hong Kong's police officers hope they won't have to deal with during the period of the handover.
An angry and excited mob, ready to fight, and not worried about the consequences.
But this is a training exercise, teaching police officers how to control demonstrators and disarm them peacefully.
The Police Tactical Unit can be called on to deal with anything from riots to crowd control.
In the past they've quelled violent disturbances at the Vietnamese detention camps and riots by taxi drivers - 13 years ago - following a dispute over licence fees.
P-T-U Senior Superintendent Blake Hancock isn't expecting violence on the streets during the hand over, but it will be a testing time for his men.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The handover is going to require a great deal of policing in Hong Kong because of all the celebrations going on, all the events going on. There's a lot of public order functions including fireworks displays on the eve of the handover and again on the first of July. You appreciate as well there are a number of very high level handover ceremonies with high ranking guests from the U-K and China and many other foreign countries, so there are plans in place to provide a high level of policing throughout that period."
SUPER CAPTION: Senior Superintendent Blake Hancock, Hong Kong Police
The P-T-U trains around 2-thousand officers a year.
They have to undergo rigorous firearms and fitness training including an army style assault course.
Using techniques adopted from American police, officers are trained how to use pressure points to make the most reluctant 'sit-in' protester move.
This Robocop-style 'red man suit' gives virtually total protection to officers under very hostile attack, although in Hong Kong it is only used in training exercises.
If events get really violent officers can be moved around in British made armoured personnel carriers.
Able to withstand the bullet from an AK-47 automatic weapon, the vehicle can also be electrified to prevent protesters climbing on board.
The P-T-U also has access to an impressive range of firepower to deal with the worst disturbances from C-S gas to smoke grenades.
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