On August 11, last year, the police fired pepper balls at the demonstrators at a close range at Taigu Station. The Supervisory Commission did not judge whether it was right or wrong, but suggested that clear guidelines should be formulated to list the target range of pepper balls shooting the trunk. (Information picture)

[Ming Pao Special News] The police are fighting against the violation of the law?? More than 16000 tear gas bombs were released, and the public paid attention to the health impact. The MPC recommended that the Commissioner of Police appoint an expert committee composed of medical and scientific experts to make recommendations on the "acceptable level of toxicity" of tear gas in the streets and explain why tear gas should not be used?, For example, confined space. The Supervisory Commission did not comment on whether the police fired tear gas at Kwai Fong Station on August 11 was right or wrong. As for the police officers suspected of firing pepper balls at the head of the demonstrators at Taigu Station, the Supervisory Commission did not comment on the right or wrong, but pointed out or violated the international guidelines and urged the police to formulate the launch guidelines.

Kwai Fong Station Launches Tear Gas to Promote the Use of Regulations

The IPCC believes that if the expert committee is unable to define what is the acceptable toxicological level, the police can issue information on the manufacturer and model of tear gas. In addition to recommending that the police review the practice and procedure of using tear gas in public order, the Supervisory Commission believes that the police should specify the circumstances of not using tear gas?, For example, the confined space, and the conditions under which it should be used, and ensure that the affected person can leave quickly.

As for the tear gas fired by the police at the Kwai Fong station on August 11, the Supervisory Commission did not comment on whether it was right or wrong, but quoted the manufacturer's information in the report, pointing out that the tear gas can only be used outdoors or with good ventilation; It also said that passengers and people in the station needed to evacuate when needed, and innocent citizens could not be excluded from being affected. The Supervisory Commission said that the police mean "? x?? Clearly specify whether police officers can use tear gas indoors and how to assess the site environment when using tear gas. It is recommended to strengthen the guidelines and regulations for the use of tear gas in urban areas. It is required to take into account the environment, ventilation and other factors, and refer to international standards and manufacturer's regulations.

Taikoo station pepper bullet suspected that the head was pointing at the international guide

On the same night, the police officers fired pepper balls at the demonstrators at a close distance at the Taigu station, and the police supervision committee did not comment on the right or wrong. According to the report, it can be seen from the footage that the demonstrators targeted by the police officers wore helmets. Several pepper balls seemed to hit one of the helmets. Although pepper balls may not cause serious injuries, according to international guidelines, the police officers should not aim at the head of the demonstrators. The MPC found that the police had no clear guidance to prohibit the police officers from shooting pepper balls at or above the shoulder of the human body, but if they hit the vulnerable position of the eyes or face, they could cause serious injuries. It is recommended that clear guidance be developed for pepper ball launchers, including specifying the proper range and shooting target range of the trunk.

The MPC believes that the two incidents show that the urban environment and conflict are changeable, and the police need to review the crowd management, arrest action, and the use of force guidance, especially the strategy of tracking down demonstrators at the MTR station or buildings, and the choice of using tear gas and low-lethal projectiles outdoors, which must be checked before?? Strike a balance between efficiency and protection of innocent citizens.