Probe launched after Hong Kong police pose with guns for 'Occupy' picture

An internal police probe has been launched after a photograph of a group of uniformed officers brandishing firearms - in an apparent joke referencing the Occupy movement - went viral.

The photo, which appears to have been taken at a police facility, shows officers from the elite Police Tactical Unit (PTU) lined up and smiling while five of them hold an assortment of force-issue weapons.

Behind them four fellow officers hold up red flags like those used to warn Occupy protesters, which spell out in Chinese characters "Full of happiness in the Year of the Goat". Three police riot vehicles and several vans can be seen in the background.

Asked if an investigation had been launched and if the officers could face disciplinary action, a spokesman for the police would only say: "The police are looking into the matter."

The photograph sparked debate on the Facebook page. One person wrote that he was "disgusted". "Why not fire tear gas [too, when they are] playing happily?" he added.

But another Facebook user said: "Why make a fuss over this in the festive season?"