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Procurement of Personal Issue Firearm for Crime Officers of the Hong Kong Police Force

Bureau / Department Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)
Objective To procure new firearms to replace the .38 Colt DS revolvers as personal issue firearm for both male and female crime officers.
Content A Working Group was formed in 2002 to identify a suitable firearm to replace the .38 Colt DS revolvers as personal issue firearm for crime officers.

During the initial evaluation stage, both male and female crime officers were involved in order that gender needs were identified which can better meet the needs of both sexes in terms of carrying, handling and firing, etc.
Groups / Persons Affected All crime officers working in the Police Force who are issued with a personal issue firearm.
Impact The needs of both male and female officers have been considered from the outset in the selection of the appropriate personal issue firearms for crime officers. Both male and female offices were involved in the initial evaluation stage when different firearms were obtained for test firing by officers. After the test firing, officers had to fill in a questionnaire to report their comments in respect of each type of firearms. In addition, the firearms were subject to detail examination by the Force experts to assess the operational, safety and training implications. An assessment panel then considered the feedbacks from both the officers and the Force experts and made its recommendation on the choice of firearms.

After assessment, a replacement pistol was selected. In addition to fulfilling the operational requirements, the replacement pistol can meet the needs of both sexes, including its weight, ease of handling and firing, as well as the feature of allowing officers to select different sizes of handle which can fit male officers’ bigger hands while, at the same time, can cater for female officers with smaller hands.

The pistol selected for crime officers has been well received by both male and female officers. With this suitable firearm, they are more confident to carry and use it in an emergency and critical situation.

Support Wing of the Police Force is constantly monitoring all matters in respect of police firearms. Working in partnership with the Weapon Training Division and Force Armoury, Support Wing regularly reviews the Force inventory of firearms and ammunition to ensure that they are suitable for frontline use by both male and female officers and that appropriate training is being provided.
Success Factor / Lessons Learned With the involvement of officers of both sexes in the evaluation of firearms, more comprehensive views can be obtained and the needs of both sexes can be addressed. Firearm is one of the critical equipment to protect lives and it is particularly important that firearm suitable to both sexes is selected with a view to ensuring the marksmanship.

Furthermore, the investment in the new pistol is not small. If its selection was not comprehensive and was later found unsuitable, the loss to Government money could be substantial.