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Cops armed with anti-riot net gun
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THE Hangzhou Police Tactical Unit has recently been given a new weapon to add to its arsenal - an anti-riot net gun.
The gun allows PTU officers to shoot a net at suspects and catch them without causing a serious injury. It has an effective range of 5 to 10 meters.
While the net gun, which resembles a flashlight, reduces injuries among criminal suspects, it will also provide more protection for officers when making arrests.
Last year, officer Huang Huanzhang was trying to subdue a suspect when he was bitten even though he had fired a warning shot. The use of the net gun is expected to prevent such scenarios from happening.
Zhang Liang, head officer of Hangzhou PTU, said it gives officers another option.
“If a cop is chasing a barehanded criminal, there is no need to use a gun,” he said. “A net gun is enough. We can use it in a variety of situations.”
For example, the net gun will help when dealing with suspects who are mentally ill, extremely agitated, drunk or high on drugs and in crowded public areas.
Every Hangzhou PTU squad car now has the net gun. Police officers are required to report beforehand that they are going to use the net gun. On shift changes, the net gun is handed over to the next patrol team.
Luo Shangcong, a Hangzhou PTU officer, said even though they are required to report use of the net gun ahead of time it can still be used in emergencies.
“We can shoot the net gun without reporting it beforehand during emergencies,” Luo said, “but we will later have to explain to senior officers why we use it.
“The net is made of high strength fiber and suspects caught in it will not be able to flee,” Luo added.
“The net can cover an area of 4 to 8 square meters.”
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