Secretary for Security TK Lai said Police were restrained in dealing with a protest on September 28 and the force they used was appropriate, and their actions to protect public safety and maintain social order are supported.
Responding to lawmakers' questions in the Legislative Council today, Mr Lai said that there are "strict Police guidelines which provide clearly that the force to be used should be the minimum necessary for achieving the purpose of an operation."
He made it clear that all field commanders are authorised to use force based on their professional judgment made in the light of the prevailing situation at the scene, the overall circumstances and the Police's needs, and that they are not required to seek their supervisors' advice for each instance.
The security chief noted that during the protests on September 28, the Police had "no alternative but to use tear gas in a bid to put an immediate halt to the violent charging staged by protesters, and to create a safe distance between the police officers and the crowds to avoid injury to both sides."
He added that the field commander had made a professional assessment and judgment in the light of the actual circumstances.
Mr Lai stressed that the Government, including the Chief Executive, the Commissioner of Police and himself, had been keeping a close watch on developments, and are in support of the Police's actions to protect public safety and maintain social order.
