- Criminal offences commonly committed by elderly people
- Common con tricks
- Protection of investors and structured products
- Arresting procedure, my rights and obligations
- Stopping and questioning by the police in a public place
- The right to silence
- Stopping and searching by the police in a public place
- Consequences on refusing to cooperate with the police
- Arresting a person
- Rights after arrest
- Detention of arrested persons
- Taking statements
- Bail of arrested persons
- Lodging complaints against the police
Arresting procedure, my rights and obligations
Arresting a person
Under Section 50(1) of the Police Force Ordinance (Chapter 232), a police officer can "apprehend" (i.e. arrest) a person if he/she reasonably suspects the person being arrested is guilty of an offence. It is not necessary that the officer knows the exact statutory provision that the suspect has violated, so long as the officer reasonably suspects that the suspect has done something amounting to an offence.
Under Section 101A of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Chapter 221), any person effecting an arrest may use such force as is reasonable. A police officer may, for example, employ handcuffs or other means of restraint where it is necessary to prevent escape. Section 50(2) of the Police Force Ordinance (Chapter 232) also allows the police officer to use all means necessary to effect an arrest if the suspect forcibly resists or attempts to evade the arrest.
The police may arrest a person according to a warrant issued by a Magistrate under Sections 31, 72, 73 or 74 of the Magistrates Ordinance (Chapter 227). For example, an arrest warrant may be issued if an accused person does not appear in Court when he is due to answer a charge.
