The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, speaks to reporters.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said today that the police and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau would discuss methods of improving cooperation between police officers and private security guards at casino resorts.
Mr Wong said this morning that such topic was to be discussed during a meeting held in the afternoon. The meeting was called after a police officer fired a warning shot on 3 January following an incident involving three men who refused to stop smoking even after the officer noted they were in a non-smoking area outside a casino resort.
The Secretary said the meeting between representatives from the police and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau was aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring.
Mr Wong added that the police would review its internal procedures regarding when an officer should call for reinforcements, as well as the force’s overall capabilities to respond to unforeseen events such as attacks on officers.
In his comments to reporters, Mr Wong said that police officers using their firearm was a matter of significant importance, adding that officers were required to follow strict regulations and guidelines in such situations.
The authorities always closely review cases involving the use of firearms by police officers in public areas. Further details regarding the 3 January incident would be made public once the police completed its internal investigation, the Secretary added.
According to Mr Wong, the Public Security Police Force would take into consideration the possibility of equipping more police officers with pepper spray, in order to provide officers with an additional method for restraining suspects if necessary.
The Secretary said the concerned police officer fully fulfilled his role to enforce the law; he had acted under difficult circumstances and had no other option but to fire a warning shot in order to stop the three men. The officer had been temporarily transferred to the police logistics team to recover emotionally from the incident.