ABLE to attack and defend simultaneously and throw triple-speed punches that disable knife and pistol-wielding villains - it's the officers of the Royal Hongkong Police, at least seen through American eyes.
But according to Asia's Finest, it is nowhere near the truth.
They may know how to tackle triads, illegal immigrants and petitioners outside Government House, but they are no high-kicking Jackie Chans in uniform, said spokesman Mr Eric Lockeyear.
A magazine published by the US publication Black Belt to mark the 20th anniversary of Bruce Lee's death features an advertisement for videos entitled ''Workout like the Hongkong Police!'' The blurb says Hongkong officers train using techniques descended from ''the ancient kung fu systems of the Shaolin Temple'' and are able to launch ''devastating leg attacks''.
Defensefax of Lawrenceville, Georgia, offers readers the chance to learn the techniques using a series of three videos retailing for US$22 (HK$172) each, assuring them ''the Hongkong Police Workout gives you a training system proven on the streets of Hongkong''.
Or they can spend US$41.95 for the ''Hongkong Police knife defence method'' video, described as ''one of the best methods to disarm, counter-attack and take down a knife-wielding attacker - for advanced martial artists only''.
