With the approval of the Force Uniform and Accoutrements Committee (UAC), a total of 452 PJ3 jackets were distributed to the officers on June 15 for trial, in line with the Strategic Direction of Supporting Frontline Units.

The issue of protective clothing for officers on motorcycle duties was first raised in 1999 in the interest of Occupational Safety and Health for the officers. Thereafter, extensive research on various materials and designs of protective jacket were conducted. Prototypes of protective jacket were produced and tested by officers from the five Traffic Regions and PD&TTD in 2003. After refinement, the design was approved by the UAC and the Secretary for Security in 2004.

A three-year contract for production of the protective jacket started on August 18, 2006, and distribution of the jacket commenced in February 2007. But in the summer of 2007, there were comments that the jacket was too hot for summer in Hong Kong although there were cases in which traffic officers were prevented from sustaining serious injuries in traffic accidents.

With a view to improving ventilation of the jacket, the U&A Sub-committee held several ad hoc meetings with the supplier, who subsequently worked out a modified jacket with better ventilation, which was tested by traffic officers. After further refinement, it was agreed at a meeting of the UAC in November 2007 that 1,250 protective jackets of a modified version (PJ2) would be produced for trial in the summer of 2008. However, due to the constraint of the contract, limited modifications were made to the PJ2.

Hence, the U&A Sub-committee came up with the PJ3 jacket, following careful scrutiny, research and deliberation. The PJ3 provides adequate protection to officers with significant improvement to address the issues of high temperature and humidity.

Commenting on this project, Assistant Commissioner (Support) Austin Kerrigan, who is Chairman of the UAC, said: "On assuming chairmanship of the UAC, I quickly realised that it would be difficult, given Hong Kong's climate, to design a protective jacket for use throughout the year. A more practical course was to design a jacket for use during summer."

In taking the project forward, it is important that safety standards should not be compromised. The material being used for the pilot had gone through a crash and full simulation test at 90 km per hour and an abrasion test of about 1.44 million cycles without breaking.

Mr Kerrigan went on to say: "I have personally tried the new version. It is extremely light weight, comfortable and provides the necessary protection for police motorcyclists." He is quite optimistic that the pilot will, if successful, provide a jacket with sufficient protection for police motorcyclists during the summer period.

Hong Kong Island Traffic Patrol Sub-unit 2 Police Constable Cheng Ka-lun commented: "The PJ3 is lighter and much more breathable than PJ1 and PJ2. This new design is more comfortable and I am happy to wear it on motorcycle patrol in hot seasons."

Officers generally welcome the new summer protective jacket