Henry Siu and Michael Shum

Legislative Council member Doreen Kong Yuk-foon said the public should be informed whether a constable had followed guidelines in the recent shooting of a 38-year-old man with mental health issues.

The man had assaulted family members at their Kam Ping Mansion flat in North Point on September 13 and attempted to charge at police officers with a kitchen knife and scissors before being shot in the chest.

Kong, also a lawyer, said yesterday the force has a behavioral indicators guide for handling mentally incapacitated persons.

"Police need to know how to handle such individuals and be in possession of sufficient information about them," she said.

"Certain behaviors should be avoided during communications, including speaking loudly at them."

The police, she said, should have records on the man, as he had been the subject of a previous complaint.

She stressed the importance of having details of past incidents, his medication records, with the runup to the confrontation also critical.

"It took minutes for the police to arrive, and I think the force needs to explain whether officers tried their best to understand this patient," Kong said.

A retired officer, who served in the emergency unit, said sometimes it might not be feasible to fully adhere to guidelines.

Said Joe Chan Cho-kwong, consultant to the Junior Police Officers' Association's chairman: "Frontline officers must be very clear about the guidelines, as these are available on patrol vehicles for reference."

"Officers also undergo regular training to deal with mentally ill patients. Of course, it is preferable not to use firearms, but officers must adapt and decide the appropriate level of force or weapon based on the circumstances," he said.

Their comments came a day after the man's brother and widow protested outside police headquarters.

The widow, who said she regretted calling the police, filed a complaint against them.

"I told the police many times they did not need to shoot, but my calls fell on deaf ears," she said. "You can use pepper spray, a long stick and a shield, but you had no choice but to shoot?"

Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee said the Complaints Against Police Office will handle the case in an unbiased manner.

Officers responding to the domestic incident. From far left: the brother and wife of the man shot dead; and Doreen Kong. SING TAO

Police face call to justify killing of mentally ill man