When a police officer deals with dangerous crime situations, there is no substitute for experience in ensuring a calm and safe end to the drama.

Although Hong Kong Police recruits just starting beat patrols may seem a little green, they are actually some of the best-prepared in world, experience-wise. This is thanks to the realistic training they receive at a new hi-tech facility in the Police Training School.

Realistic regimen: (Left to right) Part of the mock-up 'streetscape'; two officers aim at a pop-up target in corridor training; the control room and its CCTV monitors.

The Police Tactical Training Complex was opened in November 2001 and boasts more than 6,600 square metres of operational training area covering two floors.

The complex is designed to resemble typical Hong Kong streets and buildings to make training realistic. It consists of open-air scenes of commercial and residential areas, and enclosed locations which include a mock-up bank, disco, MTR station, shops and offices.

Senior Inspector (Tactical Training) Edmond Kwok said the complex is a world first in providing indoor facilities for realistic tactics training. He said the complex is not designed for advanced training of specialist units, but rather it provides basic tactical exercises for recruits.

"The sheer realism the complex provides is very valuable for the recruits and is the first of its type in the world," Mr Kwok said.

The complex features examples of the many Hong Kong environments in which a police officer may be called in to handle a dangerous situation. Previously, this type of tactical training had to be carried out in places such as a football pitch, which is a very unrealistic setting.

Lighting, ventilation and recorded street noise in the complex are all driven from a central control room to create realistic scenarios for both day and night environments.

Elevated observation walkways provide instructors with uninterrupted views of the recruits' performances, while a 32-camera closed-circuit television system records exercises for debriefing after a training session.

Training includes scenarios such as hostage taking, bank robbery, room entry, safe vehicle approach, going up staircases and corridor sweeping.

The training prepares the officers both mentally and technically, as before they can deal with something like a hostage situation, they must master the theory in dealing with these kinds of cases, Mr Kwok said.

Use-of-force training consists of three basic parts: the firearms training is conducted in a conventional firing range; baton and handcuffing training, which controls suspects without the use of firearms, is undergone as part of the recruits' physical and self-defence training: then finally they come to the tactical training, much of which is based on the classroom theory they first learn.

Mr Kwok said during tactical training, recruits are given a situation to handle using the tactics they have learned.

"The purpose is to give them the capability to control a certain situation. This will help them face the real world. It involves a lot of classroom theory mixed with realistic exercises to ensure they can apply the theory correctly."

Mr Kwok said realistic tactical training is important for all officers as it enhances their capability in controlling situations requiring the use of force.

"Such training will enable officers to carry out their duties more effectively and safely, thus the likelihood of causing unnecessary injuries, death and damage is minimised, and adequate and proper training is essential for the Force to build up its professionalism.

"All training is conducted under the close supervision of instructors and safety gear is used."