Under Section 50(2) of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232), any police officer may use all means necessary to effect the arrest of any person who may lawfully be apprehended.
According to Chapter 29-03 of the Police General Orders (Use of force and firearms), a police officer may use a firearm where the officer’s objective is to:
(a) protect any person, including himself, from death or serious bodily injury; or
(b) effect the arrest of any person who he has reason to believe has just committed a serious and violent crime and who attempts to evade such arrest; or
(c) stop a disturbance or riot.
Police General Orders are internal guidelines or rules made by the Commissioner of Police under Section 46 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232) to regulate the behaviours of the police officers.
