Hong Kong policeman to face disciplinary action after leaving gun in barber shop, source says
- A force insider said the off-duty constable had put a bag containing the pistol inside a cabinet while having his hair cut and forgot to retrieve it
- The constable, attached to the Yuen Long criminal investigation unit, will not be issued any firearms when reporting for duty during the investigation
An anti-triad police officer will face disciplinary action after leaving behind a bag containing his pistol, two magazines, a retractable baton and a pair of handcuffs in a barber shop in northern Hong Kong, according to a force insider.
The constable, attached to the Yuen Long police district anti-triad squad, is now on leave and will not be issued any firearms when reporting for duty during the investigation, the source said on Wednesday.
Officers were called to the 10-minute haircut shop in Tin Shui Wai at about 5.30pm on Tuesday after its owner found the officer’s bag, handgun and other equipment.
The source said the off-duty constable had put the waist bag inside a cabinet in front of him while he was having his hair cut.
“The investigation suggests the officer forgot to get his bag back when he left the shop,” he added.
Detectives are allowed to carry their guns when they are not on duty, but they must make sure the weapons are kept in a safe place when they do so.
The source said the policeman had not been suspended, but would face disciplinary action.