Hong Kong Police Tactical Unit

The HK Police Tactical Unit - or P.T.U. is known in Hong Kong as the police "Blue Berets". They were formed around 1970 after hard lessons learned during the 1967 Riots, where street riots and terrorist bombings took many lives.

While normal Hong Kong police constables were given basic training in riot control, the PTU was an elite group with paramilitary-style riot control and anti-terrorist training.

These photographs were taken during one of the regular Police and British Army training exercises held twice each year. They used to be called Operation Spring Gallop and Operation Autumn Gallop year after year, and would have simulated incidents of everything imaginable, from bomb incidents to armed insurrection and attacks on the police stations. The idea was to be trained and prepared for any contingency.

How To Search a Dangerous Suspect

Police officers handcuff a pretend "terrorist" (role-played by a British soldier) during a training exercise. Notice how the prisoner is angled against the wall. The only thing supporting him is his forehead. So if he moves, he will fall face-first to the concrete. The searching officer also has one foot ready to kick the prisoner's feet out from under him if he resists in any way.

Notice that the riot police are equipped with steel helmets and face guards, and with respirators to protect against C.S. gas (or tear gas), worn in the bags slung across the shoulder. And also notice the police constable on the right who has a long riot baton and wicker shield.