First Police Water Cannon Arrives In Hong Kong

The first of the police force's controversial water cannon trucks was delivered on Tuesday, following the government's decision to purchase three such vehicles after the 2014 Occupy protests. The other two trucks are expected to arrive next month.

The Mercedes Benz vehicle will first be prepared by the company's local agent, before being modified and tested by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

The manufacturer will send staff to Hong Kong to help train instructors on how to drive, operate and maintain the vehicles.

Police also said that a strict code of practice and operational guidelines will be developed for the truck. All those expected to use it will receive specialised driving, operating and safety training.

In January, pro-establishment legislators voted down a motion to summon the Police Commissioner to testify to Legco about the trucks' power, uses and dangers.

The motion was raised by pro-democracy lawmaker Kenneth Leung. He said the public had a right to about the water cannon trucks in order to asses the risks of protesting, and some people had been injured or even killed by similar vehicles in other countries.