'Off-duty officers to carry telescopic batons'

The batons are to be distributed to officers of all major units. Image: Shutterstock

Sources have told RTHK that police have decided to issue telescopic batons to off-duty officers from Tuesday.



The decision will be reviewed after a month.



Documents seen by RTHK indicate that the telescopic batons will be specially marked, and distributed to officers of all major units.



The document states that if an officer uses the baton, it will be regarded as a use of force and so the action should be according to the relevant police regulations.



It also said that police officers must be self-disciplined and highly restrained when they come into contact with the public. The batons should not be used unless absolutely necessary, it said.



The officers must indicate their identity before using the batons and, as circumstances permit, warn the other party that the baton will be used against them, the notification said.