‘Prison flying tigers’ join fight against Hong Kong protesters as 70 special constables take to streets for first time
- Members of elite prison service unit report for duty in Wan Chai
- Group is sent to guard important government buildings and all have firearms and riot training
A group of elite officers nicknamed the “prison flying tigers” became the first batch of special constables to report to duty with Hong Kong police on Saturday, and were immediately deployed to guard important government buildings.
Officers returned to the CSD’s Staff Training Institute in Stanley at around 9am to collect gear and anti-riot equipment, such as helmets, pepper spray, batons, beanbag rounds, pepper ball launchers and rifles.
The group, wearing its own army green protective uniform, boarded a coach to North Point Police Station and were seen off by Commissioner of Correctional Services Danny Woo Ying-ming.
“They are under police’s command and will be deployed to guard key buildings,” a senior law enforcement source said. “They work 12 hours in a shift. Most of the gear they took is from the correctional services authority, as the prison elite members are well-trained to control riots.”