Professional Documents
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Elite Warriors SRU of The World
Elite Warriors SRU of The World
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Contents
Articles
Overview 1
Emergency management 1
Law enforcement agency 13
Police 23
SWAT 39
Albania 49
Reparti i Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur 49
Argentina 54
Grupo Especial de Operaciones Federales 54
Brigada Especial Operativa Halcón 55
Australia 56
Specialist Response and Security 56
State Protection Group 58
Hostage Response Group 64
Territory Response Group 66
Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland) 68
Special Tasks and Rescue 70
Special Operations Group of the Tasmania Police 73
Victoria Police Special Operations Group 75
Critical Incident Response Team 77
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group 79
Austria 86
EKO Cobra 86
Bangladesh 88
SWAT (Bangladesh) 88
Belgium 91
Federal Police Special Units 91
Brazil 93
BOPE 93
Grupo de Ações Táticas Especiais 96
Canada 97
Correctional Service Canada 97
MIERT 104
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) 105
Emergency Task Force 108
Croatia 115
ATJ Lučko 115
Denmark 116
Politiets Aktionsstyrke 116
Estonia 117
K-Commando 117
Finland 118
Karhuryhmä 118
France 120
GIPN 120
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion 123
Service de Protection des Hautes Personnalités 126
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale 127
Germany 133
GSG 9 133
Spezialeinsatzkommando 140
Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll 142
Greece 143
Special Anti-Terrorist Unit 143
Iceland 154
Víkingasveitin 154
India 157
National Security Guards 157
MARCOS 161
Central Bureau of Investigation 165
Indonesia 173
Brigade Mobil SOF 173
Ireland 175
Emergency Response Unit (Garda) 175
Israel 178
YAMAM 178
Yasam 181
Italy 182
Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza 182
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale 185
Japan 187
Special Assault Team 187
Latvia 194
Latvian Special Tasks Unit 194
OMEGA 195
Malaysia 196
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 196
Police Contingent SWAT Unit (UTC, Malaysia) 210
Netherlands 213
Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten 213
Norway 221
Beredskapstroppen 221
Forsvarets Spesialkommando 223
Pakistan 229
Elite Police 229
Airport security force 231
Philippines 232
Special Action Force 232
Portugal 239
Grupo de Operações Especiais (Portugal) 239
Romania 241
OMON 241
Detaşamentul de Poliţie pentru Intervenţie Rapidă 246
Serbia 248
SAJ (Special Anti-terrorist Unit) 248
PTJ (Counter-terrorist Unit) 251
Singapore 254
Special Tactics and Rescue (Singapore) 254
Spain 258
Grupo Especial de Operaciones 258
Unidad Especial de Intervención 263
Sweden 270
National Task Force 270
Piketen 272
Taiwan 273
Thunder Squad 273
Thailand 274
Naresuan 261 Counter-Terrorism Unit 274
Ukraine 276
Berkut (Ukraine) 276
References
Article Sources and Contributors 350
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 356
Article Licenses
License 362
1
Overview
Emergency management
Emergency management (or disaster management) is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks.[1] It is a
discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g. emergency evacuation,
quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made
disasters have occurred. In general, any Emergency management is the continuous process by which all individuals,
groups, and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid or ameliorate the impact of disasters resulting from
the hazards. Actions taken depend in part on perceptions of risk of those exposed.[2] Effective emergency
management relies on thorough integration of emergency plans at all levels of government and non-government
involvement. Activities at each level (individual, group, community) affect the other levels. It is common to place
the responsibility for governmental emergency management with the institutions for civil defense or within the
conventional structure of the emergency services. In the private sector, emergency management is sometimes
referred to as business continuity planning.
Emergency Management is one of a number of terms which, since the end of the Cold War, have largely replaced
Civil defense, whose original focus was protecting civilians from military attack. Modern thinking focuses on a more
general intent to protect the civilian population in times of peace as well as in times of war. Another current term,
Civil Protection is widely used within the European Union and refers to government-approved systems and resources
whose task is to protect the civilian population, primarily in the event of natural and human-made disasters. Within
EU countries the term Crisis Management emphasises the political and security dimension rather than measures to
satisfy the immediate needs of the civilian population. An academic trend is towards using the term disaster risk
reduction, particularly for emergency management in a development management context. This focuses on the
mitigation and preparedness aspects of the emergency cycle (see below).
Mitigation
Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards from developing into
disasters altogether, or to reduce the effects of disasters when they
occur. The mitigation phase differs from the other phases because it
focuses on long-term measures for reducing or eliminating risk.[1] The
implementation of mitigation strategies can be considered a part of the
recovery process if applied after a disaster occurs.[1] Mitigative
measures can be structural or non-structural. Structural measures use
technological solutions, like flood levees. Non-structural measures
include legislation, land-use planning (e.g. the designation of
nonessential land like parks to be used as flood zones), and insurance.
A graphic representation of the four phases in Mitigation is the most cost-efficient method for reducing the impact of
emergency management.
hazards, however it is not always suitable. Mitigation does include
providing regulations regarding evacuation, sanctions against those
who refuse to obey the regulations (such as mandatory evacuations), and communication of potential risks to the
public.[4] Some structural mitigation measures may have adverse effects on the ecosystem.
A precursor activity to the mitigation is the identification of risks. Physical risk assessment refers to the process of
identifying and evaluating hazards.[1] The hazard-specific risk ( ) combines both the probability and the level of
impact of a specific hazard. The equation below gives that the hazard times the populations’ vulnerability to that
hazard produce a risk. Catastrophe modeling The higher the risk, the more urgent that the hazard specific
vulnerabilities are targeted by mitigation and preparedness efforts. However, if there is no vulnerability there will be
no risk, e.g. an earthquake occurring in a desert where nobody lives.
Preparedness
In the preparedness phase, emergency managers develop plans of action for when the disaster strikes. Common
preparedness measures include:
• communication plans with easily understandable terminology and methods.
• proper maintenance and training of emergency services, including mass human resources such as community
emergency response teams.
• development and exercise of emergency population warning methods combined with emergency shelters and
evacuation plans.
• stockpiling, inventory, and maintain disaster supplies and equipment[5]
• develop organizations of trained volunteers among civilian populations. (Professional emergency workers are
rapidly overwhelmed in mass emergencies so trained, organized, responsible volunteers are extremely valuable.
Organizations like Community Emergency Response Teams and the Red Cross are ready sources of trained
volunteers. Its emergency management system has gotten high ratings from both California, and FEMA.)
Another aspect of preparedness is casualty prediction, the study of how many deaths or injuries to expect for a given
kind of event. This gives planners an idea of what resources need to be in place to respond to a particular kind of
event.
Emergency Managers in the planning phase should be flexible, and all encompassing - carefully recognizing the
risks and exposures of their respective regions and employing unconventional, and atypical means of support.
Depending on the region - municipal, or private sector emergency services can rapidly be depleted and heavily taxed.
Non-governmental oganizations that offer desired resources i.e. transportation of displaced homeowners to be
Emergency management 3
conducted by local school district buses, evacuation of flood victims to be performed by mutual aide agreements
between fire departments and rescue squads, should be identified early in planning stages, and practiced with
regularity.
Response
The response phase includes the mobilization of the necessary
emergency services and first responders in the disaster area. This
is likely to include a first wave of core emergency services, such
as firefighters, → police and ambulance crews. When conducted as
a military operation, it is termed Disaster Relief Operation
(DRO) and can be a follow-up to a Non-combatant evacuation
operation (NEO). They may be supported by a number of
secondary emergency services, such as specialist rescue teams.
Organizational response to any significant disaster - natural or terrorist-borne - is based on existing emergency
management organizational systems and processes: the Federal Response Plan (FRP) and the Incident Command
System (ICS). These systems are solidified through the principles of Unified Command (UC) and Mutual Aid (MA)
Recovery
The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state. It differs from the response phase in
its focus; recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after immediate needs are
addressed.[1] Recovery efforts are primarily concerned with actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property,
re-employment, and the repair of other essential infrastructure.[1] An important aspect of effective recovery efforts is
taking advantage of a ‘window of opportunity’[7] for the implementation of mitigative measures that might otherwise
be unpopular. Citizens of the affected area are more likely to accept more mitigative changes when a recent disaster
is in fresh memory.
In the United States, the National Response Plan dictates how the resources provided by the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 will be used in recovery efforts.[1] It is the Federal government that often provides the most technical and
financial assistance for recovery efforts in the United States.[1]
Mitigation
Personal mitigation is mainly about knowing and avoiding unnecessary risks. This includes an assessment of
possible risks to personal/family health and to personal property.
One example of mitigation would be to avoid buying property that is exposed to hazards, e.g. in a flood plain, in
areas of subsidence or landslides. Homeowners may not be aware of a property being exposed to a hazard until it
strikes. However, specialists can be hired to conduct risk identification and assessment surveys. Purchase of
insurance covering the most prominent identified risks is a common measure.
Emergency management 4
Personal structural mitigation in earthquake prone areas includes installation of an Earthquake Valve to instantly shut
off the natural gas supply to a property, seismic retrofits of property and the securing of items inside a building to
enhance household seismic safety. The latter may include the mounting of furniture, refrigerators, water heaters and
breakables to the walls, and the addition of cabinet latches. In flood prone areas houses can be built on poles, as in
much of southern Asia. In areas prone to prolonged electricity black-outs installation of a generator would be an
example of an optimal structural mitigation measure. The construction of storm cellars and fallout shelters are further
examples of personal mitigative actions.
Mitigation involves Structural and Non-structural measures taken to limit the impact of disasters.
Structural Mitigation:-
This involves proper layout of building, particularly to make it resistant to disasters.
Non Structural Mitigation:-
This involves measures taken other than improving the structure of building.
Preparedness
Preparedness are aimed at preventing a disaster from occurring,
personal preparedness focuses on preparing equipment and procedures
for use when a disaster occurs, i.e. planning. Preparedness measures
can take many forms including the construction of shelters, installation
of warning devices, creation of back-up life-line services (e.g. power,
water, sewage), and rehearsing evacuation plans. Two simple measures
can help prepare the individual for sitting out the event or evacuating,
as necessary. For evacuation, a disaster supplies kit may be prepared
and for sheltering purposes a stockpile of supplies may be created. The
Airport emergency preparedness exercise.
preparation of a survival kit such as a "72-hour kit", is often advocated
by authorities. These kits may include food, medicine, flashlights,
candles and money.
Response
The response phase of an emergency may commence with search and rescue but in all cases the focus will quickly
turn to fulfilling the basic humanitarian needs of the affected population. This assistance may be provided by
national or international agencies and organisations. Effective coordination of disaster assistance is often crucial,
particularly when many organisations respond and local emergency management agency (LEMA) capacity has been
exceeded by the demand or diminished by the disaster itself.
On a personal level the response can take the shape either of a shelter in place or an evacuation. In a shelter-in-place
scenario, a family would be prepared to fend for themselves in their home for many days without any form of outside
support. In an evacuation, a family leaves the area by automobile or other mode of transportation, taking with them
the maximum amount of supplies they can carry, possibly including a tent for shelter. If mechanical transportation is
not available, evacuation on foot would ideally include carrying at least three days of supplies and rain-tight bedding,
a tarpaulin and a bedroll of blankets being the minimum.
Emergency management 5
Recovery
The recovery phase starts after the immediate threat to human life has subsided. During reconstruction it is
recommended to consider the location or construction material of the property.
The most extreme home confinement scenarios include war, famine and severe epidemics and may last a year or
more. Then recovery will take place inside the home. Planners for these events usually buy bulk foods and
appropriate storage and preparation equipment, and eat the food as part of normal life. A simple balanced diet can be
constructed from vitamin pills, whole-meal wheat, beans, dried milk, corn, and cooking oil.[8] One should add
vegetables, fruits, spices and meats, both prepared and fresh-gardened, when possible.
As a profession
Emergency managers are trained in a wide variety of disciplines that support them through out the emergency
life-cycle. Professional emergency managers can focus on government and community preparedness (Continuity of
Operations/Continuity of Government Planning), or private business preparedness (Business Continuity
Management Planning). Training is provided by local, state, federal and private organizations and ranges from public
information and media relations to high-level incident command and tactical skills such as studying a terrorist
bombing site or controlling an emergency scene.
In the past, the field of emergency management has been populated mostly by people with a military or first
responder background. Currently, the population in the field has become more diverse, with many experts coming
from a variety of backgrounds without military or first responder history. Educational opportunities are increasing
for those seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in emergency management or a related field. There are eight
schools in the US with emergency management-related doctorate programs, but only one doctoral program
specifically in emergency management.[9]
Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and Certified Business Continuity
Professional (CBCP) are becoming more common as the need for high professional standards is recognized by the
emergency management community, especially in the United States.
Tools
In recent years the continuity feature of emergency management has resulted in a new concept, Emergency
Management Information Systems (EMIS). For continuity and interoperability between emergency management
stakeholders, EMIS supports the emergency management process by providing an infrastructure that integrates
emergency plans at all levels of government and non-government involvement and by utilizing the management of
all related resources (including human and other resources) for all four phases of emergencies. In the healthcare
field, hospitals utilize HICS (Hospital Incident Command System) which provides structure and organization in a
clearly defined chain of command with set responsibilities for each division.
installation of sprinklers within the institution. This task requires the cooperation of a well-organized committee led
by an experienced chairperson.[10] Professional associations schedule regular workshops and hold focus sessions at
annual conferences to keep individuals up to date with tools and resources in practice in order to minimize risk and
maximize recovery.
Tools
The joint efforts of professional associations and cultural heritage institutions have resulted in the development of a
variety of different tools to assist professionals in preparing disaster and recovery plans. In many cases, these tools
are made available to external users. Also frequently available on websites are plan templates created by existing
organizations, which may be helpful to any committee or group preparing a disaster plan or updating an existing
plan. While each organization will need to formulate plans and tools which meet their own specific needs, there are
some examples of such tools that might represent useful starting points in the planning process. These have been
included in the External Links section.
International organizations
United Nations
Within the United Nations system responsibility for emergency response rests with the Resident Coordinator within
the affected country. However, in practice international response will be coordinated, if requested by the affected
country’s government, by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), by deploying a
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.
World Bank
Since 1980, the World Bank has approved more than 500 operations related to disaster management, amounting to
more than US$40 billion. These include post-disaster reconstruction projects, as well as projects with components
aimed at preventing and mitigating disaster impacts, in countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Haiti,
India, Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam to name only a few.[11]
Common areas of focus for prevention and mitigation projects include forest fire prevention measures, such as early
warning measures and education campaigns to discourage farmers from slash and burn agriculture that ignites forest
fires; early-warning systems for hurricanes; flood prevention mechanisms, ranging from shore protection and
terracing in rural areas to adaptation of production; and earthquake-prone construction.[12]
In a joint venture with Columbia University under the umbrella of the ProVention Consortium the World Bank has
established a Global Risk Analysis of Natural Disaster Hotspots.[13]
Emergency management 7
In June 2006, the World Bank established the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), a
longer term partnership with other aid donors to reduce disaster losses by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in
development, in support of the Hyogo Framework of Action. The facility helps developing countries fund
development projects and programs that enhance local capacities for disaster prevention and emergency
preparedness.[14]
National organisations
Australia
The key federal coordinating and advisory body for emergency management in Australia is Emergency Management
Australia (EMA). Each state has its own State Emergency Service. The Emergency Call Service provides a national
000 emergency telephone number to contact state Police, Fire and Ambulance services. Arrangements are in place
for state and federal cooperation.
Canada
Public Safety Canada (PS) is Canada’s national emergency management agency. Each province is required to set up
their Emergency Management Organizations.
PS coordinates and supports the efforts of federal organizations ensuring national security and the safety of
Canadians. They also work with other levels of government, first responders, community groups, the private sector
(operators of critical infrastructure) and other nations.
PS’s work is based on a wide range of policies and legislation through the Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Act which defines the powers, duties and functions of PS are outlined. Other acts are specific to fields
such as corrections, emergency management, law enforcement, and national security.
Provincial EMOs
• Provincial Emergency Program, Province of British Columbia's emergency measures organization[15]
• Alberta Emergency Management Agency[16]
• Saskatchewan Emergency Management Organization (SaskEMO)[17]
• Province of Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization[18]
• Emergency Measures Ontario[19]
• Quebec Civil Protection (Sécurité Publique Québec)[20]
• Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office[21]
• New Brunswick Emergency Management Organization[22]
• Prince Edward Island Office of Public Safety[23]
• Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization[24]
Germany
In Germany the Federal Government controls the German Katastrophenschutz (disaster relief) and Zivilschutz (civil
protection) programs. The local units of German fire department and the Technisches Hilfswerk (Federal Agency for
Technical Relief, THW) are part of these programs. The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), the German Federal
Police and the 16 state police forces (Länderpolizei) all have been deployed for disaster relief operations. Besides the
German Red Cross and its regional sister organisation, the Bavarian Red Cross, humanitarian help is dispensed by
the Johanniter-Unfallhilfe, the German equivalent of the St. John's Ambulance, the Malteser-Hilfsdienst, the
Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, to cite the largest relief organisation that are equipped for large-scale emergencies.
Command and control are provided by mobile municipal headquarter units. As of 2006, there is a joint course at the
University of Bonn leading to the degree "Master in Disaster Prevention and Risk Governance"[25]
Emergency management 8
India
In India, the role of emergency management falls to National Disaster Management Authority of India, a government
agency subordinate to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In recent years there has been a shift in emphasis, from
response and recovery to strategic risk management and reduction, and from a government-centred approach to
decentralized community participation. Survey of India, an agency within the Ministry of Science and Technology,
is also playing a role in this field, through bringing the academic knowledge and research expertise of earth scientists
to the emergency management process.
Recently the Government has formed the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). This group
represents a public/private partnership, funded primarily by a large India-based computer company "Satyam
Computer Services" , and aimed at improving the general response of communities to emergencies, in addition to
those incidents which might be described as disasters. Some of the groups' early efforts involve the provision of
emergency management training for first responders (a first in India), the creation of a single emergency telephone
number, and the establishment of standards for EMS staff, equipment and training. It is hoped that this effort will
provide a model for emulation by all of India, however, at the moment, it operates in the Indian states of Andhra
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka , Assam, Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh using a
single 3-digit toll-free number 1-0-8.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is responsible for emergency preparedness en
emergency management on national level and operates a national crisis centre (NCC). The country is divided in 25
safety regions (veiligheidsregio). Each safety region is covered by three services: police, fire and ambulance. All
regions operate according to the Coordinated Regional Incident Management system. Other services such as the
Ministry of Defence, waterboard(s), Rijkswaterstaat etc. can have an active role in the emergency management
process.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, responsibility for emergency management moves from local to national depending on the nature of
the emergency or risk reduction programme. A severe storm may be manageable within a particular area, whereas a
national public education campaign will be directed by central government. Within each region, local governments
are unified into 16 Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups (CDEMGs). Every CDEMG is responsible for
ensuring that local emergency management is robust as possible. As local arrangements are overwhelmed by an
emergency, pre-existing mutual-support arrangements are activated. As warranted, central government has the
authority to coordinate the response through the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC), operated by the
Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM). These structures are defined by regulation,[26] and
best explained in The Guide to the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan 2006,[27] roughly
equivalent to FEMA's National Response Framework.
Emergency management 9
Terminology
New Zealand uses unique terminology for emergency management to the rest of the English-speaking world.
4Rs is a term used to describe the emergency management cycle locally. In New Zealand the four phases are
known as:[28]
• Reduction = Mitigation
• Readiness = Preparedness
• Response
• Recovery
Emergency management is rarely used locally; many government publications retain usage of the term civil
defence.[29] For example, the Minister of Civil Defence is responsible for central government's emergency
management agency, MCDEM.
Civil Defence Emergency Management is a term in its own right. Often abbreviated as CDEM, it is defined
by statute as the application of knowledge to prevent harm from disasters.[30]
Disaster very rarely appears in official publications. In a New Zealand context, the terms emergency and
incident usually appear when speaking about disasters in general.[31] When describing an emergency that has
had a response from the authorities, the term event is also used. For example, publications refer to the
“Canterbury Snow Event 2002”[32]
Russia
In Russia the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) is engaged in fire fighting, Civil Defense, Search and
Rescue, including rescue services after natural and human-made disasters.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom adjusted its focus on emergency management following the 2000 UK fuel protests, severe UK
flooding in the same year and the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth crisis. This resulted in the creation of the
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) which legislated the responsibilities of all category one responders regarding
an emergency response. The CCA is managed by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat through Regional Resilience
Forums and at the local authority level.
Disaster Management training is generally conducted at the local level by the organisations involved in any response.
This is consolidated through professional courses that can be undertaken at the Emergency Planning College.
Furthemore diplomas and undergraduate qualifications can be gained throughout the country - the first course of this
type was carried out by Coventry University in 1994. Institute of Emergency Management is a charity organisation,
established in 1996, to provide consulting services for the government, media and commercial sectors.
The Professional Society for Emergency Planners is the Emergency Planning Society.[33]
The UK’s largest ever emergency exercise was carried out on 20 May 2007 near Belfast, Northern Ireland, and
involved the scenario of a plane crash landing at Belfast International Airport. Staff from five hospitals and three
airports participated in the drill, and almost 150 international observers assessed its effectiveness.[34]
United States
Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is lead
agency for emergency management. The HAZUS software package developed by FEMA is central in the risk
assessment process in the country. The United States and its territories are covered by one of ten regions for FEMA’s
emergency management purposes. Tribal, state, county and local governments develop emergency management
programs/departments and operate hierarchially within each region. Emergencies are managed at the most-local level
possible, utilizing mutual aid agreements with adjacent jurisdictions. If the emergency is terrorist related or if
Emergency management 10
declared an "Incident of National Significance", the Secretary of Homeland Security will initiate the National
Response Framework (NRF). Under this plan the involvement of federal resources will be made possible, integrating
in with the local, county, state, or tribal entities. Management will continue to be handled at the lowest possible level
utilizing the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Citizen Corps is an organization of volunteer service programs, administered locally and coordinated nationally
by DHS, which seek to mitigate disaster and prepare the population for emergency response through public
education, training, and outreach. Community Emergency Response Teams are a Citizen Corps program focused on
disaster preparedness and teaching basic disaster response skills. These volunteer teams are utilized to provide
emergency support when disaster overwhelms the conventional emergency services.
The US Congress established the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
(COE) as the principal agency to promote disaster preparedness and societal resiliency in the Asia-Pacific region. As
part of its mandate, COE facilitates education and training in disaster preparedness, consequence management and
health security to develop domestic, foreign and international capability and capacity.
See also
• Asia Emergency Response Facility
• Burned area emergency response
• Central Emergency Response Fund
• Community Emergency Response Team
• Decontamination
• Disaster risk reduction
• Emergency Architects Foundation
• Emergency Management And Research Institute, EMRI
• Emergency Management Information System
• Emergency management software
• Emergency Response Guidebook
• Emergency Response Officers
• Emergency Response Team (Zoo)
• First aid
• HEARO Local Alert Receiver
• Incident Command System, a prepositioned, interservice cross-governmental command-and-control method to
prevent interservice rivalry and official error in rapidly developing emergency situations.
• List of Special Response Units
• Prevention
• Public safety
• Quarantine
• Risk:
• Actuarial science
• Extreme value theory
• Standardised Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Survivalism
• Amateur radio operators may help provide emergency communications in the event of an Emergency:
• Amateur Radio Emergency Service
• Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
• Renewable sources can provide emergency energy:
• Famine Early Warning Systems Network
Emergency management 11
• Normalcy bias
• Countries
• In Australia
• → Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland)
• Northern Territory National Emergency Response Bill 2007
• In Canada, Special Emergency Response Team, Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team, →
Emergency Response Team (RCMP)
• In Cuba, Cuba Emergency Response System
• In Denmark, Danish Emergency Management Agency
• In Ireland, → Emergency Response Unit (Garda)
• In France, Orsec’s plan: The French red plan and the French white plan;
• In USA, Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
• Emergency Management Institute
• Local Emergency Planning Committee
• United States Department of Homeland Security#Ready.gov
Further reading
• International Journal of Emergency Management, ISSN 1741-5071 [35] (electronic) ISSN 1471-4825 [36] (paper),
Inderscience Publishers
• Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management [37] ISSN 1547-7355 [38], Bepress
• Australian Journal of Emergency Management [39] (electronic) ISSN 1324-1540 [40] (paper), Emergency
Management Australia
• Stephenson Disaster Management Institute [41]
• The ALADDIN Project [42], a consortium of universities developing automated disaster management tools
External links
• ALA Disaster Preparedness and Recovery [43]
• Disaster Plan Workbook [44]
• The Disaster Mitigation Planning Assistance Website. [45]
• Heritage Preservation. [46] The Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel Tool
• Public Health Management after Natural Disasters: Preparation, Response & Recovery [47] - video, presentations,
and summary of event held at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, June 2008
• Disasters Roundtable [48] Disasters Roundtable Workshop hosted by the National Academies
• US-Homeland Emergency Response Organization [49]
• Preparing For Emergencies [50] - UK Government public information site
• Emergency Response Resources [51] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Site [52] dedicated to use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for emergency management
• Heritage Health Index [53] 2005 Report on the State of America's Collections.
• Emergency Management Portal [54]. Online resources for emergency managers.
• Emergency Management Reference Material Repository [55].
Emergency management 12
References
[1] HaddowButterworth-Heinemann. Amsterdam. ISBN 0-7506-7689-2.
[2] Wisner, Ben; P. Blaikie, T. Cannon, and I. Davis (2004). At Risk - Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters. Wiltshire:
Routledge. ISBN 0-415-25216-4.
[3] Cuny, Fred C. (1983). Disasters and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[4] Lindell, M., Prater, C., and Perry, R. (2006). Fundamentals of Emergency Management. Retrieved January 9, 2009 at: http:/ / training. fema.
gov/ EMIWeb/ edu/ fem. asp.
[5] MODELING CRITICAL VACCINE SUPPLY LOCATION: PROTECTING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND POPULATION IN
CENTRAL FLORIDA (http:/ / etd. lib. fsu. edu/ theses/ available/ etd-07092008-091641/ unrestricted/ MaliszewskiPThesis. pdf) Paul J.
Maliszewski (2008)
[6] Walker, Peter (1991). International Search and Rescue Teams, A League Discussion Paper. Geneva: League of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies.
[7] Alexander, David (2002). Principles of Emergency planning and Management. Harpenden: Terra Publishing. ISBN 1-903544-10-6.
[8] www.fema.gov (http:/ / www. fema. gov/ ) Federal Emergency Management Agency Website
[9] Jaffin, Bob (September 17, 2008). " Emergency Management Training: How to Find the Right Program (http:/ / www. govtech. com/ em/
articles/ 400741)". Emergency Management Magazine. . Retrieved 2008-11-15.
[10] Buchanan, Sally. "Emergency preparedness." from Paul Banks and Roberta Pilette. Preservation Issues and Planning. Chicago: American
Library Association, 2000. 159-165. ISBN 978-0-8389-0776-4
[11] List of World Bank projects with disaster management components (http:/ / web. worldbank. org/ WBSITE/ EXTERNAL/ TOPICS/
EXTURBANDEVELOPMENT/ EXTDISMGMT/
0,,contentMDK:20196209~menuPK:341042~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:341015,00. html) and
[12] World Bank Disaster Risk Management Projects (http:/ / web. worldbank. org/ WBSITE/ EXTERNAL/ TOPICS/
EXTURBANDEVELOPMENT/ EXTDISMGMT/
0,,contentMDK:20196209~menuPK:341042~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:341015,00. html)
[13] Natural Disaster Hotspots (http:/ / www. ldeo. columbia. edu/ chrr/ research/ hotspots/ coredata. html)
[14] Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (http:/ / gfdrr. org/ index. cfm?Page=home& ItemID=200)
[15] Provincial Emergency Program (http:/ / www. pep. bc. ca)
[16] Alberta Emergency Management Agency (http:/ / aema. alberta. ca/ ab_index. cfm)
[17] Saskatchewan Emergency Management Organization (SaskEMO) (http:/ / www. cpsp. gov. sk. ca/ SaskEMO/ )
[18] Province of Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (http:/ / www. gov. mb. ca/ emo/ general/ overview. html)
[19] Emergency Measures Ontario (http:/ / www. emergencymanagementontario. ca/ english/ home. html)
[20] Quebec Civil Protection (Sécurité Publique Québec) (http:/ / www. msp. gouv. qc. ca/ secivile/ index_en. asp)
[21] Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office (http:/ / www. gov. ns. ca/ EMO/ AbsPage. aspx?siteid=1& lang=1& id=1)
[22] New Brunswick Emergency Management Organization (http:/ / www. gnb. ca/ cnb/ emo-omu/ index-e. asp)
[23] Prince Edward Island Office of Public Safety (http:/ / www. gov. pe. ca/ cca/ index. php3?number=1002515)
[24] Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization (http:/ / www. ma. gov. nl. ca/ ma/ fes/ emo/ )
[25] http:/ / www. kavoma. de
[26] National Civil Defence Emergency Plan Order 2005, available from http:/ / www. legislation. govt. nz/ regulation/ public/ 2005/ 0295/
latest/ DLM356569. html
[27] http:/ / www. civildefence. govt. nz/ memwebsite. NSF/ wpg_URL/ For-the-CDEM-Sector-Publications-The-Guide?OpenDocument. ISBN
0-478-25470-0
[28] See especially the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Strategy 2007, page 5. Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New
Zealand 2008. Digital edition available at http:/ / www. civildefence. govt. nz/ memwebsite. NSF/ Files/ National_CDEM_Strategy/ $file/
National-CDEM-strategy-2008. pdf. Retrieved 3 August 2008. ISBN 0-478-29453-0.
[29] See generally Parliamentary media releases on emergency management http:/ / www. beehive. govt. nz/ portfolio/ civil+ defence?page=1,
the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's crisis management material http:/ / www. reservebank. govt. nz/ crisismgmt/ and
Ministry of Social Development’s website, which omits the term ‘emergency management’ altogether: http:/ / search. msd. govt. nz/
search?q=civil+ defence& output=xml_no_dtd& proxystylesheet=prod_msd& client=prod_msd& site=prod_msd. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
[30] Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, s4. http:/ / www. legislation. govt. nz/ act/ public/ 2002/ 0033/ latest/ DLM149796. html.
Retrieved 3 August 2008.
[31] For example, disaster is not used in the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, the enabling legislation for New Zealand's
emergency management, http:/ / www. legislation. govt. nz/ act/ public/ 2002/ 0033/ latest/ DLM149789. html
[32] http:/ / www. civildefence. govt. nz/ memwebsite. nsf/ Files/ dfpresCantSnow/ $file/ dfpresCantSnow. pdf. Retrieved 3 August 2008
[33] Emergency Planning Society (http:/ / www. the-eps. org/ )
[34] Mock plane crash tests NI crews (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ northern_ireland/ 6673793. stm), BBC News, May 20, 2007
[35] http:/ / www. worldcat. org/ issn/ 1741-5071
[36] http:/ / www. worldcat. org/ issn/ 1471-4825
[37] http:/ / www. bepress. com/ jhsem/
Emergency management 13
local police
federal police
national police
religious police
police
military police
provost
gendarmerie
civilian police
secret police
Law enforcement agency 14
A LEA which has a wide range of powers but whose ability is restricted geographically, typically to an area which is
only part of a country, is typically referred to as local police or territorial police. Other LEAs have a jurisdiction
defined by the type of laws they enforce or assist in enforcing. For example, Interpol does not work with political,
military, religious, or racial matters[5] .
A LEA’s jurisdiction usually also includes the governing bodies they support, and the LEA itself.
A federal police agency is a federal LEA which also has the typical police responsibilities of social order and public
safety as well as federal law enforcement responsibilities. However, a federal police agency will not usually exercise
its powers at a divisional level. Such exercising of powers is typically via specific arrangements between the federal
and divisional governing bodies.
Examples of federal law enforcement agencies are the Australian Federal Police (Australia), Bundeskriminalamt
(Germany), → Central Bureau of Investigation (India), Federal Bureau of Investigation (United States), Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (United States),Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canada).
A federated approach to the organisation of a country does not necessarily indicate the nature of the organisation of
law enforcement agencies within the country. Some countries, for example, Austria (Federal Police (Austria)), and
Belgium (Law enforcement in Belgium), have a relatively unified approach to law enforcement, but still have
operationally separate units for federal law enforcement and divisional policing. The United States has a highly
fractured approach to law enforcement agencies generally, and this is reflected in the country's federal law
enforcement agencies (Federal law enforcement in the United States).
The exact usage and meaning of the terms military police, provost, and gendarmie varies from country to country.
Non military law enforcement agencies are sometimes referred to as civilian police, but usually only in contexts
where they need to be distinguished from military police.
In most countries the term law enforcement agency when used formally includes agencies other than only police
agencies. The term law enforcement agency is often used in the United States of America to refer to police agencies.
Regulation
Many LEAs are also involved in the monitoring and-or application of regulations and codes of practice. See for
example Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice, Building code, Code enforcement. Monitoring of the
application of regulations and codes of practice is not normally considered law enforcement. However, the consistent
non-compliance by a subject with regulations or codes of practice may result in the revocation of a licence for the
subject to operate, and operating without a licence is typically illegal. Also, the failure to apply codes of practice can
impact other subjects’ safety and life, which can also be illegal.
Law enforcement agency 19
Secret police
When a LEA's powers are not subject to judicial or open civil overview, and-or the powers are extreme or abused,
the LEA is often referred to as a secret police agency. The term 'secret police' when applied to a LEA generally has
negative connotations.
See also
• Code enforcement
• Law enforcement organisation
• Specialist law enforcement agency
References
[1] Europol#Functions
[2] " Australian Federal Police Investigation Services (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ services/ investigation. html)". Australian Federal Police. .
Retrieved 2008-02-01.
[3] " Australian Federal Police Case Categorisation and Prioritisation Model (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ services/ operational_priorities/
how_the_ccpm_is_applied. html)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-01.
[4] 18 U.S.C. § 1201 (http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ 18/ 1201. html)(a)(1)
[5] " Interpol Constitution Article 3 (http:/ / www. interpol. int/ Public/ ICPO/ LegalMaterials/ constitution/ constitutionGenReg/ constitution.
asp)". Interpol. . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[6] " Annex 11 of the Dayton/Paris Agreement (http:/ / www. nato. int/ ifor/ gfa/ gfa-an11. htm)". NATO. . Retrieved 2008-02-07.
[7] " Establishment of EUPM personnel by country (http:/ / www. eupm. org/ Documents/ Weekly. pdf)" (PDF). European Union Police Mission
in Bosnia and Herzegovina. . Retrieved 2008-02-07.
[8] " INTERPOL member countries (http:/ / www. interpol. int/ Public/ Icpo/ Members/ default. asp)". Interpol. . Retrieved 2008-02-07.
[9] " Metropolitan Police Local Information (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ local)". Metropolitan Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-04.
[10] " Federal Bureau of Investigation Your Local FBI Office (http:/ / www. fbi. gov/ contact/ fo/ fo. htm)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. .
Retrieved 2008-02-04.
[11] " State and Regional AFP Offices (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ contact. html#State)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[12] " Metropolitan Police Local Information (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ local)". Metropolitan Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-04.
[13] " New York Police Department Precincts (http:/ / www. nyc. gov/ html/ nypd/ html/ home/ precincts. shtml)". New York Police Department.
. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
[14] Law enforcement in the United Kingdom#Jurisdictions and territories
[15] List of police forces in the United Kingdom
[16] Policing in the United States#Local policing
[17] " Protective Service (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ services/ protective. html)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[18] " United States Secret Service Protective Mission (http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/ protection. shtml)". United States Secret Service. .
Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[19] " Australian Federal Police Act (http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ afpa1979225/ s4aa. html)". Parliament of Australia.
. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
Law enforcement agency 22
[20] " Jervis Bay Governance and Administration (http:/ / www. ag. gov. au/ www/ agd/ agd. nsf/ Page/
TerritoriesofAustralia_JervisBay_JervisBayGovernanceandAdministration)". Australian Government Attorney General’s Department. .
Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[21] " Cocos Islands Governance and Administration (http:/ / www. ag. gov. au/ www/ agd/ agd. nsf/ Page/
TerritoriesofAustralia_Cocos(Keeling)Islands_CocosIslandsGovernanceandAdministration)". Australian Government Attorney General’s
Department. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[22] " Christmas Island Governance and Administration (http:/ / www. ag. gov. au/ www/ agd/ agd. nsf/ Page/
TerritoriesofAustralia_ChristmasIsland_ChristmasIs. GovernanceAdministration)". Australian Government Attorney General’s Department. .
Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[23] " Policing in the Territories (http:/ / www. justice. gov. yk. ca/ pdf/ Pan_Territorial_Police_Review. pdf)". Government of Yukon
Department of Justice. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[24] " United States Code Title 40 Subtitle I Chapter 13 Section 1315 (http:/ / frwebgate. access. gpo. gov/ cgi-bin/ getdoc.
cgi?dbname=browse_usc& docid=Cite:+ 40USC1315)". United States Congress. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[25] " Bills Digest No 152 2001-02 – Australian Protective Service Amendment Bill 2002 (http:/ / www. aph. gov. au/ LIBRARY/ pubs/ bd/
2001-02/ 02bd152. htm)". Parliament of Australia. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[26] " Federal Bureau of Investigation About Us Frequently Asked Questions (http:/ / www. fbi. gov/ aboutus/ faqs/ faqsone. htm)". Federal
Bureau of Investigation. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[27] " ACT Policing - Media Release – Joint Drug Operation a Success (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ __data/ assets/ pdf_file/ 2250/
02092005_327. pdf)" (PDF). Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[28] " Airport Security – Joint Airport Teams (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ national/ airport_security)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved
2008-02-05.
[29] " Referring Matters to the AFP – Information Required (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ services/ referrals. html)". Australian Federal Police. .
Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[30] " Internal Investigations (http:/ / www. fbi. gov/ libref/ factsfigure/ internal. htm)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. . Retrieved 2008-02-12.
[31] " Borough Support Management Information Main Report – March 2007 (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ foi/ pdfs/ how_are_we_doing/
corporate/ dps_bsmi_main_report_march_2007. pdf)". Metropolitan Police Service. . Retrieved 2008-02-12.
[32] " About the AFP - Feedback and Complaints (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ about/ complaints. html)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved
2008-02-12.
[33] " NYPD Frequently Asked Questions (http:/ / home2. nyc. gov/ html/ nypd/ html/ faq/ faq_police. shtml)". New York Police Department. .
Retrieved 2008-02-12.
[34] Cole, George F.; Smith, Christopher E. (2004). The American System of Criminal Justice. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
[35] http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ afpa1979225
[36] " Organization of the RCMP (http:/ / www. rcmp. ca/ about/ organi_e. htm)". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[37] " ACT Policing (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ act. html)". Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[38] " Norfolk Island Policing (http:/ / www. norfolk. gov. nf/ police. htm)". Norfolk Island Government. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[39] " RAMSI's Program Areas: Law and Justice (http:/ / www. ramsi. org/ node/ 16#law)". Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[40] " United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) (http:/ / www. un. org/ peace/ etimor/ etimor. htm)". United
Nations. . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[41] http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ ca191482
[42] http:/ / frwebgate. access. gpo. gov/ cgi-bin/ getdoc. cgi?dbname=browse_usc& docid=Cite:+ 18USC2516
[43] http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ taaa1979410/
[44] http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ sda2004210
[45] " Controlled Operations Annual Report 2006-07 (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ __data/ assets/ pdf_file/ 61384/ ControlledOps07Senate. pdf)"
(PDF). Australian Federal Police. . Retrieved 2008-02-04.
[46] " Controlled Operations Inspections Report 2005-06 (http:/ / www. ombudsman. gov. au/ commonwealth/ publish. nsf/ content/
publications_inspectionreports)". Commonwealth Ombudsman. . Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[47] " Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (http:/ / www. austlii. edu. au/ au/ legis/ cth/ consol_act/ afpa1979225)". Parliament of Australia. .
Retrieved 2008-02-05.
[48] " Interpol Headquarters Agreement (http:/ / www. interpol. int/ Public/ ICPO/ LegalMaterials/ constitution/ hqagreement/ hqagreement.
asp)". Interpol. . Retrieved 2008-02-01.
Police 23
Police
A police service is a public force empowered to enforce the law and
provide security through the legitimized use of force.
The term is most commonly associated with police services of a state
that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a
defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. The word comes via
French Policier, from Latin politia ("civil administration"), from
ancient Greek πόλις ("city").[1]
Overview
Important milestones:
• Hundred Years War (1337 to 1453): The French Gendarmerie was
founded as the Maréchaussée It was renamed as the Gendarmerie
during the French Revolution.
• 1626: The New York City Sheriff's Office was founded.
• 1667 (March 15): King Louis XIV in France created the first police
force in the modern sense under an official called the lieutenant German State Police officer in Hamburg.
général de police ("lieutenant general of police") to police the city
of Paris and to carry out national investigations at the king's request.
• 1749 : The Bow Street Runners were formed by Henry Fielding in
London.
• 1789:
• July 16: The Paris police force was disbanded at the start of the
French Revolution and policing was carried out by the National
Guard and Gendarmerie.
• September 24, 1789: The US Marshals Service was established.
• 1800:
• February 17: The Paris police was recreated by Napoleon.[2] Polish Police's Anti-Riot Detachment, filming a
gathering. The film could later be presented
• June 30: The City of Glasgow Police was created, the first
during a trial as evidence, or used in Police
professional police service in the United Kingdom.[3] training. A water cannon is seen in the
• 1829: background.
In some societies, in the late 18th century and early 19th century, these
developed within the context of maintaining the class system and the
protection of private property[8] .
Alternative names for police force include constabulary, gendarmerie,
police department, police service, crime prevention, protective
services, law enforcement agency or Garda Síochána, and members
can be police officers, troopers, sheriffs, constables, rangers, peace
officers or Garda. Russian police and police of the Soviet-era Eastern
Europe are (or were) called militsiya.
New York City Police Department Chevrolet
Impala patrol car.
History
Ancient world
Ancient China
Law enforcement in Ancient China was carried out by "prefects." The notion of a "prefect" in China has existed for
thousands of years. The prefecture system developed in both the Chu and Jin kingdoms of the Spring and Autumn
period. In Jin, dozens of prefects were spread across the state, each having limited authority and employment period.
In Ancient China, prefects were government officials appointed by local magistrates, who in turn were appointed by
the head of state, usually the emperor of the dynasty. The prefects oversaw the civil administration of their
"prefecture," or jurisdiction.
Prefects usually reported to the local magistrate, just as modern police report to judges. Under each prefect were
"subprefects" who helped collectively with law enforcement of the area. Some prefects were responsible for handling
investigations, much like modern police detectives.
Eventually the concept of the "prefecture system" would spread to other cultures such as Korea and Japan. Law
enforcement in Ancient China was also relatively progressive, allowing for female prefects. Some examples of
ancient Chinese prefects include: Chong Fu - prefect of the Ying District in the East Han Dynasty and Ching Chow -
prefect of the modern Shang-tung Province. An example of a female prefect would by Lady Qu[9] of Wuding
(serving 1531-ca. 1557).
Recent portrayals of prefects in modern popular culture include Jet Li’s portrayal of the nameless prefect in the
movie Hero.
Roman Empire
In most of the Empire, the Army provided security rather than a dedicated police organization. Local watchmen were
hired by cities to provide some extra security. In Rome itself, the Urban Cohorts were responsible for law and order
and acted as a dedicated police force. Magistrates such as Procurator Fiscals and quaestors investigated crimes.
There was no concept of public prosecution, so victims of crime or their families had to organize and manage the
prosecution themselves.
Police 25
Pre-medieval Europe
In Ancient Greece, publicly-owned slaves were used by magistrates as police. In Athens, a group of 300 Scythian
slaves was used to guard public meetings to keep order and for crowd control, and also assisted with dealing with
criminals, handling prisoners, and making arrests. Other duties associated with modern policing, such as
investigating crimes, were left to the citizens themselves.[10]
Before its decline, the Roman Empire had a relatively effective law enforcement system. When under the reign of
Augustus the capital had grown to almost one million inhabitants, he created 14 wards, which were protected by
seven squads of 1,000 men called "Vigiles," who guarded against fires and served as nightwatchmen.
If necessary, they might have called the Praetorian Guard for assistance. Beginning in the 5th century, policing
became a function of clan chiefs and heads of state.
The Anglo-Saxon system of maintaining public order since the Norman conquest was a private system of tithings,
led by a constable, which was based on a social obligation for the good conduct of the others; more common was
that local lords and nobles were responsible to maintain order in their lands, and often appointed a constable,
sometimes unpaid, to enforce the law.
European development
Spain
Modern police in Europe has a precedent in the Hermandades, os "brotherhoods", peacekeeping associations of
armed individuals, a characteristic of municipal life in medieval Spain, especially in Castile. As medieval Spanish
kings often could not offer adequate protection, protective municipal leagues began to emerge in the 12th century
against bandits and other rural criminals, and against the lawless nobility or to support one or another claimant to the
crown.
These organizations were intended to be temporary, but became a long-standing fixture of Spain. The first recorded
case of the formation of an hermandad occurred when the towns and the peasantry of the north united to police the
pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, and protect the pilgrims against robber knights.
Throughout the Middle Ages such alliances were frequently formed by combinations of towns to protect the roads
connecting them, and were occasionally extended to political purposes. Among the most powerful was the league of
North Castilian and Basque ports, the Hermandad de las Marismas: Toledo, Talavera, and Villarreal.
As one of their first acts after the war of succession, Ferdinand and Isabella established the centrally organized and
efficient Holy Brotherhood (Santa Hermandad) as a national police force. They adapted an existing brotherhood to
the purpose of a general police acting under officials appointed by themselves, and endowed with large powers of
summary jurisdiction even in capital cases. The original brotherhoods continued to serve as modest local police units
until their final suppression in 1835.
France
The Gendarmerie is the direct descendant of the Marshalcy of the ancien regime, more commonly known by its
French title, the Maréchaussée. During the Middle Ages, there were two Grand Officers of the Kingdom of France
with police responsibilities: The Marshal of France and the Constable of France. The military policing
responsibilities of the Marshal of France were delegated to the Marshal's provost, whose force was known as the
Marshalcy because its authority ultimately derived from the Marshal. The marshalcy dates back to the Hundred
Years War, and some historians trace it back to the early twelfth century. Another organisation, the Constabulary
(French: Connétablie), was under the command of the Constable of France. The constabulary was regularised as a
Police 26
military body in 1337. Under King Francis I (who reigned 1515-1547), the Maréchaussée was merged with the
Constabulary. The resulting force was also known as the Maréchaussée, or, formally, the Constabulary and
Marshalcy of France (French: connétablie et maréchaussée de France). During the revolutionary period, marshalcy
commanders generally placed themselves under the local constitutional authorities. As a result, the Maréchaussée,
whose title was associated with the king, was not disbanded but simply renamed gendarmerie nationale in February
1791. Its personnel remained unchanged, and the role remained much as it was. However, from this point, the
gendarmerie, unlike the marshalcy, was a fully military force.
The first police force in the modern sense was created by the government of King Louis XIV in 1667 to police the
city of Paris, then the largest city in Europe. The royal edict, registered by the Parlement of Paris on March 15, 1667
created the office of lieutenant général de police ("lieutenant general of police"), who was to be the head of the new
Paris police force, and defined the task of the police as "ensuring the peace and quiet of the public and of private
individuals, purging the city of what may cause disturbances, procuring abundance, and having each and everyone
live according to their station and their duties".
This office was first held by Gabriel Nicolas de la Reynie, who had 44 commissaires de police (police
commissioners) under his authority. In 1709, these commissioners were assisted by inspecteurs de police (police
inspectors). The city of Paris was divided into 16 districts policed by the commissaires, each assigned to a particular
district and assisted by a growing bureaucracy. The scheme of the Paris police force was extended to the rest of
France by a royal edict of October 1699, resulting in the creation of lieutenants general of police in all large French
cities and towns.
After the French Revolution, Napoléon I reorganized the police in Paris and other cities with more than 5,000
inhabitants on February 17, 1800 as the Prefecture of Police. On March 12, 1829, a government decree created the
first uniformed police in France, known as sergents de ville ("city sergeants"), which the Paris Prefecture of Police's
website claims were the first uniformed policemen in the world.[11]
In 1737, George II began paying some London and Middlesex watchmen with tax moneys, beginning the shift to
government control. In 1750, Henry Fielding began organizing a force of quasi-professional constables. The
Macdaniel affair added further impetus for a publicly-salaried police force that did not depend on rewards.
Nonetheless, In 1828, there were privately financed police units in no fewer than 45 parishes within a 10-mile radius
of London.
The word "police" was borrowed from French into the English language in the 18th century, but for a long time it
applied only to French and continental European police forces. The word, and the concept of police itself, was
Police 27
Development of Theory
In Western culture, the contemporary concept of a police paid by the "Albertine at the Police Doctor's Waiting Room",
government was developed by French legal scholars and practitioners 1885-87 painting by the Norwegian writer and
in the 17th and early 18th centuries, notably with Nicolas Delamare's painter Christian Krohg illustrating his then very
Traité de la Police [14] ("Treatise on the Police"), first published in controversial novel Albertine about the life of a
prostitute
1705. The German Polizeiwissenschaft (Science of Police) was also an
important theoretical formulation of police.
As conceptualized by the Polizeiwissenschaft, the police had an economic and social duty ("procuring abundance").
It was in charge of demographics concerns and of empowering the population, which, according to mercantilist
theory, was to be the main strength of the state. Thus, its functions largely overreached simple law enforcement
activities and included public health concerns, urban planning (which was important because of the miasma theory of
disease; thus, cemeteries were moved out of town, etc.), and surveillance of prices.[15]
Development of modern police was contemporary to the formation of the state, later defined by sociologist Max
Weber as achieving a "monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force" and which was primarily exercised by the
police and the military. Marxist theory situates the development of the modern state as part of the rise of capitalism,
in which the police are one component of the bourgeoisie's repressive apparatus for subjugating the working class.
Police 28
British Empire
In British North America, policing was initially provided by local elected officials. For instance, the New York
Sheriff's Office was founded in 1626, and the Albany County Sheriff's Department in the 1660s. In the colonial
period, policing was provided by elected sherriffs and local militias. In Canada, the Royal Newfoundland
Constabulary was founded in 1729, making it the first police force in present day Canada. It was followed in 1834 by
the Toronto Police, and in 1838 by police forces in Montreal and Quebec City. A national force, the Dominion
Police, was founded in 1868. Initially the Dominion Police provided security for parliament, but its responsibilities
quickly grew. The famous Royal Northwest Mounted Police was founded in 1873. (See law enforcement in Canada.)
In Australia with the passing of the Police Regulation Act, 1862, the New South Wales Police Force was established
and essentially tightly regulated and centralised all of the police forces operating throughout the Colony of New
South Wales.
United States
In 1626, the New York City Sheriff's Office was founded. Other Sheriff's offices were also founded in this period,
such as the Albany County Sheriff's Department in the 1660s. In the colonial period, policing was provided by
elected sherriffs and local militias.
In 1789 the US Marshals Service was established, followed by other federal services such as the US Parks Police
(1791) and US Mint Police (1791).
The first city police services were established in Boston in 1838, New York in 1844, and Philadelphia in 1854.
The US Secret Service was founded in 1865 and was for some time it was the main investigative body for the federal
government.
After the civil war, policing became more para-military in character, with the increased use of uniforms and military
ranks. Prior to this, sherriff's offices had been non-uniformed organizations without a para-military hierarchy.
In the American Old West, policing was often very poor quality. The Army often provided some policing alongside
poorly resourced sherriffs and temporarily organised posses. Public organizations were supplemented by private
contractors, notably the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which was hired by individuals, businessmen, local
governments and the federal government. At its height, the Pinkerton Agency's numbers exceeded those of the
standing army of the United States.
Other countries
In Lebanon, modern police were established in 1861, with creation of the Gendarmerie.[16]
In 1566, the first police investigator of Rio de Janeiro was recruited. By the seventeenth century, most "capitanias"
already had local units with law enforcement functions. In July 9, 1775 a Cavalry Regiment was created in Minas
Gerais for maintaining law and order. In 1808, the Portuguese royal family relocated to Brazil, due to the French
invasion of Portugal. King João VI established the "Intendência Geral de Polícia" (General Police Intendancy) for
investigations. He also created a Royal Police Guard for Rio de Janeiro in 1809. In 1831, after independence, each
province started organizing its local "military police", with order maintenance tasks. The Federal Railroad Police
was created in 1852.
Police 29
Uniformed police
Preventive Police, also called Uniform Branch, Uniformed Police,
Uniform Division, Administrative Police, Order Police, or Patrol,
designates the police which patrol and respond to emergencies and
other incidents, as opposed to detective services. As the name
"uniformed" suggests, they wear uniforms and perform functions that
require an immediate recognition of an officer's legal authority, such as
traffic control, stopping and detaining motorists, and more active crime
response and prevention.
Preventive police almost always make up the bulk of a police service's Brazilian Federal Highway Police at work.
personnel. In Australia and Britain, patrol personnel are also known as
"general duties" officers.[17] Atypically, Brazil's preventive police are known as Military Police.[18]
Detectives
Police detectives are responsible for investigations and detective work.
Detectives may be called Investigations Police, Judiciary/Judicial
Police, and Criminal Police. In the UK, they are often referred to by
the name of their department, the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID). Detectives typically make up roughly 15%-25% of a police
service's personnel.
cross-training in a wider variety of skills, and serves to prevent "cliques" that can contribute to corruption or other
unethical behavior.
Auxiliary
Police may also take on auxiliary administrative duties, such as issuing firearms licenses. The extent that police have
these functions varies among countries, with police in France, Germany, and other continental European countries
handling such tasks to a greater extent than British counterparts.[17]
Specialized units
Specialized preventive and detective groups exist within many law
enforcement organizations either for dealing with particular types of
crime, such as traffic law enforcement and crash investigation,
homicide, or fraud; or for situations requiring specialized skills, such
as underwater search, aviation, explosive device disposal ("bomb
squad"), and computer crime.
In counter insurgency type campaigns, select and specially trained units of police armed and equipped as light
infantry have been designated as police field forces who perform paramilitary type patrols and ambushes whilst
retaining their police powers in areas that were highly dangerous.[19]
Because their situational mandate typically focuses on removing innocent bystanders from dangerous people and
dangerous situations, not violent resolution, they are often equipped with non-lethal tactical tools like chemical
agents, "flashbang" and concussion grenades, and rubber bullets. The London Metropolitan police's → Specialist
Firearms Command (CO19)[20] is a group of armed police used in dangerous situations including hostage taking,
armed robbery/assault and terrorism.
Military police
Military police may refer to:
• a section of the military solely responsible for policing the armed forces (referred to as provosts)
• a section of the military responsible for policing in both the armed forces and in the civilian population (most
gendarmeries, such as the French Gendarmerie, the Italian Carabinieri and the Portuguese Republican National
Guard also known as GNR.
• a section of the military solely responsible for policing the civilian population (such as the Romanian
Gendarmerie)
• the civilian preventative police of a Brazilian state (Policia Militar)
Police 31
Religious police
Some Islamic societies have religious police, who enforce the application of Islamic Sharia law. Their authority may
include the power to arrest unrelated males and females caught socializing, anyone engaged in homosexual behavior
or prostitution; to enforce Islamic dress-codes, and store closures during Islamic prayer time.[21] [22]
They enforce Muslim dietary laws, prohibit the consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages and pork, and seize
banned consumer products and media regarded as un-Islamic, such as CDs/DVDs of various Western musical
groups, television shows and film.[23] [24] In Saudi Arabia, religious police actively prevent the practice or
proselytizing of non-Islamic religions within Saudi Arabia, where they are banned.[25] [26]
Varying jurisdictions
Police forces are usually organized and funded by some level of government. The level of government responsible
for policing varies from place to place, and may be at the national, regional or local level. In some places there may
be multiple police forces operating in the same area, with different ones having jurisdiction according to the type of
crime or other circumstances.
For example in the UK policing is primarily the responsibility of a regional police force; however specialist units
exist at the national level. In the US policing there is typically a state police force, but crimes are usually handled by
local police forces which usually only cover a few municipalities. National agencies, such as the FBI, only have
jurisdiction over federal crimes or those with an interstate component.
In addition to conventional urban or regional police forces, there are other police forces with specialized functions or
jurisdiction. In the United States, the federal government has a number of police forces with their own specialized
jurisdictions.
Some example are the Federal Protective Service, which patrols and protects government buildings; the postal
police, which protect postal buildings, vehicles and items; the Park Police, which protect national parks, or Amtrak
Police which patrol Amtrak stations and trains..
There are also some government agencies which perform police functions in addition to other duties. The U.S. Coast
Guard carries out many police functions for boaters.
In major cities, there may be a separate police agency for public transit systems, such as the New York City Port
Authority Police or the MTA police, or for major government functions, such as sanitation, or environmental
functions.
Global policing
Policing plays an increasingly important role in United Nations
peacekeeping and this looks set to grow in the years ahead, especially
as the international community seeks to develop the rule of law and
reform security institutions in States recovering from conflict.[27]
They can also be equipped with non-lethal (more accurately known as "less than lethal" or "less-lethal") weaponry,
particularly for riot control. Non-lethal weapons include batons, riot control agents, rubber bullets and electroshock
weapons. The use of firearms or deadly force is typically a last resort only to be used when necessary to save human
life, although some jurisdictions (such as Brazil) allow its use against fleeing felons and escaped convicts. Police
officers often carry handcuffs to restrain suspects.
Modern police forces make extensive use of radio communications equipment, carried both on the person and
installed in vehicles, to co-ordinate their work, share information, and get help quickly. In recent years,
vehicle-installed computers have enhanced the ability of police communications, enabling easier dispatching of calls,
criminal background checks on persons of interest to be completed in a matter of seconds, and updating the officer's
daily activity log and other required reports on a real-time basis. Other common pieces of police equipment include
flashlights/torches, whistles, and police notebooks and "ticketbooks" or citations.
Vehicles
Police vehicles are used for detaining, patrolling and transporting. The
common Police patrol vehicle is an improved four door sedan (saloon
in British English). Police vehicles are usually marked with appropriate
logos and are equipped with sirens and lightbars to aid in making
others aware of police presence.
Unmarked vehicles are used primarily for sting operations or
apprehending criminals without alerting them to their presence. Some
police forces use unmarked or minimally marked cars for traffic law
The black and white pattern of an LAPD Ford
enforcement, since drivers slow down at the sight of marked police
Crown Victoria patrol car. vehicles and unmarked vehicles make it easier for officers to catch
speeders and traffic violators. This practice is controversial, with for
example New York State banning this practice in 1996 on the grounds that it endangered motorists who might be
pulled over by people impersonating police officers.[28]
Motorcycles are also commonly used, particularly in locations that a car may not be able to access, to control
potential public order situations involving meetings of motorcyclists and often in escort
Police 33
duties where the motorcycle policeman can quickly clear a path for the
escorted vehicle. Bicycle patrols are used in some areas because they
allow for more open interaction with the public. In addition, their
quieter operation can facilitate approaching suspects unawares and can
help in pursuing them attempting to escape on foot.
Police departments use an array of specialty vehicles such as
helicopters, airplanes, watercraft, command post, vans, trucks, all
terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and SWAT armored vehicles. Old model New Zealand Police highway patrol
vehicle
Strategies
The advent of the police car, two-way radio, and telephone in the early
20th century transformed policing into a reactive strategy that focused
on responding to calls for service.[29] With this transformation, police
command and control became more centralized.
In the United States, August Vollmer introduced other reforms,
Police Lenco Bearcat CBRNE Armored Rescue including education requirements for police officers.[30] O.W. Wilson,
Vehicle Metropolitan Nashville Police SWAT
a student of Vollmer, helped reduce corruption and introduce
professionalism in Wichita, Kansas, and later in the Chicago Police
Department.[31] Strategies employed by O.W. Wilson included rotating officers from community to community to
reduce their vulnerability to corruption, establishing of a non-partisan police board to help govern the police force, a
strict merit system for promotions within the department, and an aggressive recruiting drive with higher police
Police 34
salaries to attract professionally qualified officers.[32] During the professionalism era of policing, law enforcement
agencies concentrated on dealing with felonies and other serious crime, rather than broader focus on crime
prevention.[33]
The Kansas City Preventive Patrol study in the 1970s found this
approach to policing to be ineffective. Patrol officers in cars were
disconnected from the community, and had insufficient contact and
interaction with the community.[34] In the 1980s and 1990s, many law
enforcement agencies began to adopt community policing strategies,
and others adopted problem-oriented policing.
The concept behind this method is simple: broken windows, graffiti, and other physical destruction or degradation of
property, greatly increases the chances of more criminal activities and destruction of property. When criminals see
the abandoned vehicles, trash, and deplorable property, they assume that authorities do not care and do not take
active approaches to correct problems in these areas. Therefore, correcting the small problems prevents more serious
criminal activity.[35]
Building upon these earlier models, intelligence-led policing has emerged as the dominant philosophy guiding police
strategy. Intelligence-led policing and problem-oriented policing are complementary strategies, both which involve
systematic use of information.[36] Although it still lacks a universally accepted definition, the crux of intelligence-led
policing is an emphasis on the collection and analysis of information to guide police operations, rather than the
reverse.[37]
Power restrictions
In many nations, criminal procedure law has been developed to
regulate officers' discretion, so that they do not arbitrarily or unjustly
exercise their powers of arrest, search and seizure, and use of force. In
the United States, Miranda v. Arizona led to the widespread use of
Miranda warnings or constitutional warnings.
Police in the United States are also prohibited from holding criminal
suspects for more than a reasonable amount of time (usually 72 hours)
before arraignment, using torture to extract confessions, using
excessive force to effect an arrest, and searching suspects' bodies or ACT Police breath testing and command truck in
their homes without a warrant obtained upon a showing of probable Canberra Australia
cause.
Using deception for confessions is permitted, but not coercion. There are exceptions or exigent circumstances such
as an articulated need to disarm a suspect or searching a suspect who has already been arrested (Search Incident to an
Arrest). The Posse Comitatus Act severely restricts the use of the military for police activity, giving added
importance to police → SWAT units.
British police officers are governed by similar rules, particularly those introduced under the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), but generally have greater powers. They may, for example, legally search any suspect
Police 35
who has been arrested, or their vehicles, home or business premises, without a warrant, and may seize anything they
find in a search as evidence.
All police officers in the United Kingdom, whatever their actual rank, are 'constables' in terms of their legal position.
This means that a newly appointed constable has the same arrest powers as a Chief Constable or Commissioner.
However, certain higher ranks have additional powers to authorize certain aspects of police operations, such as a
power to authorize a search of a suspect's house (section 18 PACE) by an officer of the rank of Inspector, or the
power to authorize a suspect's detention beyond 24 hours by a Superintendent.
report into policing the province. In the Republic of Ireland the Garda
Síochána is investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, an independent force that replaced the
Garda Complaints Board in May 2007.
The Special Investigations Unit of Ontario, Canada, is one of only a few civilian agencies around the world
responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious
injury, or allegations of sexual assault.
Use of force
Police forces also find themselves under criticism for their use of force,
particularly deadly force. Specifically, tension increases when a police
officer of one ethnic group harms or kills a suspect of another one. In
the United States, such events occasionally spark protests and
accusations of racism against police and allegations that police
departments practice racial profiling.
In the United States since the 1960s, concern over such issues has
Lamborghini Gallardo of the Italian State Police
increasingly weighed upon law enforcement agencies, courts and
legislatures at every level of government. Incidents such as the 1965
Watts Riots, the videotaped 1991 beating by Los Angeles Police officers of Rodney King, and the riot following
their acquittal have been suggested by some people to be evidence that U.S. police are dangerously lacking in
appropriate controls.
The fact that this trend has occurred contemporaneously with the rise of the US civil rights movement, the "War on
Drugs," and a precipitous
Police 36
rise in violent crime from the 1960s to the 1990s has made questions
surrounding the role, administration and scope of police authority
increasingly complicated.
Police departments and the local governments that oversee them in
some jurisdictions have attempted to mitigate some of these issues
through community outreach programs and community policing to
make the police more accessible to the concerns of local communities,
by working to increase hiring diversity, by updating training of police
in their responsibilities to the community and under the law, and by
Norwegian mounted policeman, Oslo
increased oversight within the department or by civilian commissions.
In cases in which such measures have been lacking or absent, civil law
suits have been brought by the United States Department of Justice
against local law enforcement agencies, authorized under the 1994
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. This has compelled
local departments to make organizational changes, enter into consent
decree settlements to adopt such measures, and submit to oversight by
the Justice Department.[39]
Protection of individuals
A policeman riding a camel in Giza, Egypt
The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled numerous times
since 1856 that law enforcement officers have no duty to protect any
individual, despite the motto "protect and serve". Their duty is to enforce the law in general. The first such case was
in 1856 (South v. Maryland) and the most recent in 2005 (Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales).[40]
In contrast, the police are entitled to protect private rights in some jurisdictions. To ensure that the police would not
interfere into the regular competencies of the courts of law, some police acts require that the police may only
interfere in such cases where protection from courts cannot be obtained in time, and where, without interference of
the police, the realization of the private right would be impeded.[41] This would, for example, allow police to
establish a restaurant guest's identity and forward it to the inn-keeper in a case where the guest cannot pay the bill at
nighttime because his wallet had just been stolen from the restaurant table.
In addition, there are Federal Law Enforcement agencies in the United States whose mission includes providing
protection for executives such as the President and accompanying family members, visiting foreign dignitaries, and
other high-ranking individuals.[42] Such agencies include The → United States Secret Service and the United States
Park Police.
International forces
In many countries, particularly those with a federal system of government, there may be several police or police-like
organizations, each serving different levels of government and enforcing different subsets of the applicable law. The
United States has a highly decentralized and fragmented system of law enforcement, with over 17,000 state and local
law enforcement agencies.[43]
Some countries, such as Chile, Israel, the Philippines, France, Austria, New Zealand and South Africa, use a
centralized system of policing.[44] Other countries have multiple police forces, but for the most part their
jurisdictions do not overlap. In the United States however, several different law enforcement agencies may have
authority in a particular jurisdiction at the same time, each with their own command.
Police 37
Other countries where jurisdiction of multiple police agencies overlap, include Guardia Civil and the Policía
Nacional in Spain , the Polizia di Stato and Carabinieri in Italy and the Police Nationale and National Gendarmerie
in France.[17]
Most countries are members of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), established to detect and
fight trans-national crime and provide for international co-operation and co-ordination of other police activities, such
as notifying relatives of the death of foreign nationals. Interpol does not conduct investigations nor arrests by itself,
but only serves as a central point for information on crime, suspects and criminals. Political crimes are excluded
from its competencies.
See also
• Chief of police
• Criminal justice
• Fraternal Order of Police
• → Law enforcement agency
• Law enforcement and society
• Law enforcement by country
• The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc
• Police academy
• Police brutality
• Police certificate
• Police state
• Police training officer
• Public administration
• Public Security
• Private Police
• Sheriff
Lists
• List of basic law enforcement topics
• List of countries by size of police forces
• List of law enforcement agencies
• List of protective service agencies
• Police rank
External links
• United Nations Police Division. [45]
References
[1] " police (http:/ / www. etymonline. com/ index. php?search=police& searchmode=none)". . Retrieved 2007-02-08.
[2] " La Lieutenance Générale de Police (http:/ / www. prefecture-police-paris. interieur. gouv. fr/ documentation/ bicentenaire/ theme_expo1.
htm)". La Préfecture de Police fête ses 200 ans Juillet 1800 - Juillet 2000. .
[3] Dinsmor, Alastair (Winter 2003). " Glasgow Police Pioneers (http:/ / www. scotia-news. com/ issue5/ ISSUE05a. htm)". The Scotia News. .
Retrieved 2007-01-10.
[4] " Bicentenaire : theme_expo4 (http:/ / www. prefecture-police-paris. interieur. gouv. fr/ documentation/ bicentenaire/ theme_expo4. htm)".
Prefecture-police-paris.interieur.gouv.fr. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[5] Brodeur, Jean-Paul; Eds., Kevin R. E. McCormick and Livy A. Visano (1992). ”High Policing and Low Policing: Remarks about the Policing
of Political Activities,” Understanding Policing. Canadian Scholars’ Press. pp. 284–285, 295. ISBN 1-55130-005-2.
Police 38
[6] Walker, Samuel (1977). A Critical History of Police Reform: The Emergence of Professionalism. Lexington, MT: Lexington Books. p. 143.
ISBN 978-0-6690-1292-7.
[7] Neocleous, Mark (2004). Fabricating Social Order: A Critical History of Police Power. Pluto Press. pp. 93–94. ISBN 978-0-7453-1489-1.
[8] Siegel, Larry J. (2005). Criminolgy. Thomson Wadsworth. pp. 515,516. (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=PRmhu3M2jv8C&
pg=PA515& lpg=PA515& dq=police+ american+ colonies& source=web& ots=Dxk8AuzQR6&
sig=KokKB0NmB0Gs5DWxF3Jl3OhQQcI& hl=en& sa=X& oi=book_result& resnum=1& ct=result)
[9] Whittaker, Jake. "UC Davis East Asian Studies". University of California, Davis.<http://eastasian.ucdavis.edu/research.htm>.
[10] Hunter, Virginia J. (1994). Policing Athens: Social Control in the Attic Lawsuits, 420-320 B.C. (http:/ / press. princeton. edu/ titles/ 5349.
html). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-4008-0392-7. .
[11] " Bicentenaire : theme_expo4 (http:/ / www. prefecture-police-paris. interieur. gouv. fr/ documentation/ bicentenaire/ theme_expo4. htm)".
Prefecture-police-paris.interieur.gouv.fr. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[12] " Glasgow Police (http:/ / www. scotia-news. com/ issue5/ ISSUE05a. htm)". Scotia-news.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[13] " Respect - Homepage (http:/ / www. together. gov. uk/ article. asp?c=442& aid=1275)". Together.gov.uk. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[14] http:/ / cujas. synasoft. fr/ page. asp?Ouvrage=225& Ftime=1
[15] Michel Foucault, Security, Territory, Population, 1977-78 course (published 2004)
[16] " Historical overview (http:/ / www. isf. gov. lb/ English/ LeftMenu/ General+ Info/ History/ )". Interior Security Forces (Lebanon). .
Retrieved 2007-06-26.
[17] Bayley, David H. (1979). "Police Function, Structure, and Control in Western Europe and North America: Comparative and Historical
Studies". Crime & Justice 1: 109–143. doi: 10.1086/449060 (http:/ / dx. doi. org/ 10. 1086/ 449060). NCJ 63672 (http:/ / www. ncjrs. gov/
App/ Publications/ abstract. aspx?ID=63672).
[18] " PMMG (https:/ / www. policiamilitar. mg. gov. br/ _pmmg. htm)". Policiamilitar.mg.gov.br. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[19] p.Davies, Bruce & McKay, Gary The Men Who Persevered:The AATTV 2005 Bruce & Unwin
[20] formerly named SO19 " Metropolitan Police Service - Central Operations, Specialist Firearms unit (CO19) (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/
co19/ )". Metropolitan Police Service. . Retrieved 2008-08-04.
[21] SAUDI ARABIA Catholic priest arrested and expelled from Riyadh - Asia News (http:/ / www. asianews. it/ view. php?l=en& art=5869)
[22] BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudi minister rebukes religious police (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ middle_east/ 2399885. stm)
[23] SAUDI ARABIA Catholic priest arrested and expelled from Riyadh - Asia News (http:/ / www. asianews. it/ view. php?l=en& art=5869)
[24] BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudi minister rebukes religious police (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ middle_east/ 2399885. stm)
[25] SAUDI ARABIA Catholic priest arrested and expelled from Riyadh - Asia News (http:/ / www. asianews. it/ view. php?l=en& art=5869)
[26] BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudi minister rebukes religious police (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ middle_east/ 2399885. stm)
[27] " Top UN police, rule of law officials meet in Italy to discuss global policing (http:/ / www. un. org/ apps/ news/ story.
asp?NewsID=25538& Cr=UN& Cr1=police)". Un.org. 2008-02-07. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[28] Dao, James (1996-04-18). " Pataki Curbs Unmarked Cars' Use - The (http:/ / query. nytimes. com/ gst/ fullpage.
html?res=9800E1DB1E39F93BA25757C0A960958260& n=Top/ Reference/ Times Topics/ Subjects/ R/ Roads and Traffic)". New York
Times. . Retrieved 2009-06-21.
[29] Reiss Jr, Albert J. (1992). "Police Organization in the Twentieth Century". Crime and Justice 51: 51. doi: 10.1086/449193 (http:/ / dx. doi.
org/ 10. 1086/ 449193). NCJ 138800 (http:/ / www. ncjrs. gov/ App/ Publications/ abstract. aspx?ID=138800).
[30] " Finest of the Finest (http:/ / jcgi. pathfinder. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,899019,00. html)". TIME Magazine. February 18, 1966. .
[31] " Guide to the Orlando Winfield Wilson Papers, ca. 1928-1972 (http:/ / content. cdlib. org/ view?docId=tf3v19n6s0& doc.
view=entire_text)". Online Archive of California. . Retrieved 2006-10-20.
[32] "Chicago Chooses Criminologist to Head and Clean Up the Police". United Press International/The New York Times. February 22, 1960.
[33] Kelling, George L., Mary A. Wycoff (December 2002). Evolving Strategy of Policing: Case Studies of Strategic Change. National Institute
of Justice. NCJ 198029 (http:/ / www. ncjrs. gov/ App/ Publications/ abstract. aspx?ID=198029).
[34] Kelling, George L., Tony Pate, Duane Dieckman, Charles E. Brown (1974). " The Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment - A Summary
Report (http:/ / www. policefoundation. org/ pdf/ kcppe. pdf)" (PDF). Police Foundation. .
[35] Kelling, George L., James Q. Wilson (March 1982). " Broken Windows (http:/ / www. theatlantic. com/ doc/ 198203/ broken-windows)"
(subscription). Atlantic Monthly. .
[36] Tilley, Nick (2003). Problem-Oriented Policing, Intelligence-Led Policing and the National Intelligence Model (http:/ / www. jdi. ucl. ac.
uk/ publications/ short_reports/ problem_oriented_policing. php). Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London. .
[37] " Intelligence-led policing: A Definition (http:/ / www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/ crimint/ intelligence_e. htm)". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. .
Retrieved 2007-06-15.
[38] Amanda Reavy. " Police review board gets started (http:/ / www. sj-r. com/ sections/ news/ stories/ 112655. asp)". The State
Journal-Register Online. .
[39] Walker, Samuel (2005). The New World of Police Accountability. Sage. pp. 5.
[40] " Castle Rock v. Gonzales (http:/ / straylight. law. cornell. edu/ supct/ html/ 04-278. ZS. html)". Cornell University Law School. . Retrieved
2009-03-21.
[41] See e.g. § 1 section 2 of the Police Act of North Rhine-Westphalia:" Police Act of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (http:/ /
www1. polizei-nrw. de/ im/ Recht/ Polizeigesetz/ )" (in German). polizei-nrw.de. Land Nordrhein-Westfalen. . Retrieved 2008-08-10.
[42] The United States Park Police Webpage, http:/ / www. nps. gov/ uspp
Police 39
[43] " Law Enforcement Statistics (http:/ / www. ojp. gov/ bjs/ lawenf. htm)". Bureau of Justice Statistics. . Retrieved 2007-05-23.
[44] Das, Dilip K., Otwin Marenin (2000). Challenges of Policing Democracies: A World Perspective. Routledge. pp. 17.
[45] http:/ / www. un. org/ Depts/ dpko/ police/ division. shtml
SWAT
Special weapons and tactics
Active 1968–Present
A SWAT (special weapons and tactics)[1] [2] team is an elite tactical unit in American and some international law
enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular
officers. Their duties include performing hostage rescues and counter-terrorism operations, serving high risk arrest
and search warrants, subduing barricaded suspects, and engaging heavily-armed criminals. A SWAT team is often
equipped with specialized firearms including assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, carbines, riot control agents,
stun grenades, and high-powered rifles for snipers. They have specialized equipment including heavy body armor,
entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the
positions of hostages or hostage takers inside of an enclosed structure.
The first SWAT team was established in the Los Angeles Police Department in 1968. Since then, many American
police departments, especially in major cities and at the federal and state-levels of government, have established their
own elite units under various names; these units, regardless of their official name, are referred to collectively as
SWAT teams in colloquial usage.
SWAT 40
History
The development of SWAT in its modern incarnation is usually given as
beginning with reference in particular to then-inspector Daryl Gates of
the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
As far as the LAPD SWAT team's beginning, Gates' explained in his
autobiography Chief: My Life in the LAPD, that he neither developed
SWAT tactics nor its distinctive equipment. Gates wrote that he
supported the concept, tried to empower his people to develop the
concept, and lent them moral support.[3]
Gates originally named the platoon "Special Weapons Assault Team",
however, due to popular protest this name was turned down by his boss,
then-deputy police chief Ed Davis for sounding too much like a military
organization. Wanting to keep the acronym "SWAT", Gates changed its The LAPD SWAT was the first in the United
expansion ("explanation") to "special weapons and tactics". States.
While the public face of SWAT was made known through the LAPD,
perhaps because of its proximity to the mass media and the size and professionalism of the Department itself, the
first SWAT operations were conducted far north of Los Angeles in the farming community of Delano, California on
the border between Kern and Tulare Counties in the great San Joaquin Valley. César Chavez' United Farm Workers
were staging numerous protests in Delano, both at cold storage facilities and in front of non-supportive farm workers'
homes on the city streets. Delano Police Department answered the issues that arose by forming the first-ever units
using special weapons and tactics. Television news stations and print media carried live and delayed reportage of
these events across the nation. Personnel from the LAPD, having seen these broadcasts, contacted Delano PD and
inquired about the program. One officer then obtained permission to observe Delano Police Department's special
weapons and tactics in action, and afterwards took what he had learned back to Los Angeles where his knowledge
was used and expanded on to form their first SWAT unit.
John Nelson was the officer who came up with the idea to form a specially trained and equipped unit in the LAPD,
intended to respond to and manage critical situations involving shootings while minimizing police casualties.
Inspector Gates approved this idea, and he formed a small select group of volunteer officers. This first SWAT unit
initially consisted of fifteen teams of four men each, for a total staff of sixty. These officers were given special status
and benefits. They were required to attend special monthly training. This unit also served as a security unit for police
facilities during civil unrest. The LAPD SWAT units were organized as "D Platoon" in the Metro division.[3]
A report issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, following a shootout with the Symbionese Liberation Army
in 1974, offers one of the few firsthand accounts by the department regarding SWAT history, operations, and
organization.[4]
On page 100 of the report, the Department cites four trends which prompted the development of SWAT. These
included riots such as the Watts Riots, which in the 1960s forced police departments into tactical situations for which
they were ill-prepared, the emergence of snipers as a challenge to civil order, the appearance of the political assassin,
and the threat of urban guerrilla warfare by militant groups. "The unpredictability of the sniper and his anticipation
of normal police response increase the chances of death or injury to officers. To commit conventionally trained
officers to a confrontation with a guerrilla-trained militant group would likely result in a high number of casualties
among the officers and the escape of the guerrillas." To deal with these under conditions of urban violence, the
LAPD formed SWAT, notes the report.
The report states on page 109, "The purpose of SWAT is to provide protection, support, security, firepower, and
rescue to police operations in high personal risk situations where specialized tactics are necessary to minimize
casualties."
SWAT 41
On February 7, 2008 a siege and subsequent fire fight with a gunman in Winnetka, California led to the first
line-of-duty death of a member of the LAPD's SWAT team in its 41 years of existence.[5]
SWAT duties
SWAT duties include:
• Hostage rescue.
• Crime suppression.
• Perimeter security against snipers for visiting dignitaries.
• Providing superior assault firepower in certain situations, e.g.
barricaded suspects.
• Rescuing officers and citizens captured or endangered by gunfire.
• Countering terrorist operations in U.S. cities.
• Resolving high-risk situations with a minimum loss of life, injury,
or property damage.
• Resolving situations involving barricaded subjects (specifically
covered by a Hostage Barricade Team).
• Stabilizing situations involving high-risk suicidal subjects.
• Providing assistance on drug raids, arrest warrants, and search
warrants.
• Providing additional security at special events. Members of the U.S. Air Force → 60th Security
• Stabilizing dangerous situations dealing with violent criminals (such Forces Squadron SWAT Team, Travis Air Force
as rapists, serial killers or gangs). Base, California, USA practice hostage rescue.
Notable events
The first significant deployment of LAPD's SWAT unit was on December 9, 1969, in a four-hour confrontation with
members of the Black Panthers. The Panthers eventually surrendered, with three Panthers and three officers being
injured. By 1974, there was a general acceptance of SWAT as a resource for the city and county of Los Angeles.
On the afternoon of May 17, 1974,elements of a group which called itself the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a
group of heavily-armed left-wing guerillas, barricaded themselves in a residence on East 54th Street at Compton
Avenue in Los Angeles. Coverage of the siege was broadcast to millions via television and radio and featured in the
world press for days after. Negotiations were opened with the barricaded suspects on numerous occasions, both prior
to and after the introduction of tear gas. Police units did not fire until the SLA had fired several volleys of
semi-automatic and automatic gunfire at them. In spite of the 3,772 rounds fired by the SLA, no uninvolved citizens
or police officers sustained injury from gunfire.
During the gun battle, a fire erupted inside the residence. The cause of the fire is officially unknown, although police
sources speculated that an errant round ignited one of the suspects' Molotov cocktails. Others suspect that the
repeated use of tear gas grenades, which function by burning chemicals at high temperatures, started the structure
fire. All six of the suspects suffered multiple gunshot wounds and perished in the ensuing blaze.
SWAT 42
By the time of the SLA shoot-out, SWAT teams had reorganized into
six 10-man teams, each team consisting of two five-man units, called
elements. An element consisted of an element leader, two assaulters, a
scout, and a rear-guard. The normal complement of weapons was a
sniper rifle (apparently a .243-caliber bolt-action, judging from the
ordnance expended by officers at the shootout), two .223-caliber
semi-automatic rifles, and two shotguns. SWAT officers also carried
their service revolvers in shoulder holsters. The normal gear issued
them included a first aid kit, gloves, and a gas mask. In fact it was a
change just to have police armed with semi-automatic rifles, at a time
when officers were usually issued six-shot revolvers and shotguns. The
encounter with the heavily-armed Symbionese Liberation Army,
however, sparked a trend towards SWAT teams being issued body
armor and automatic weapons of various types.
The article further reported that street officers were increasingly being armed with rifles, and issued heavy body
armor and ballistic helmets, items traditionally associated with SWAT units. The idea is to train and equip street
officers to make a rapid response to so-called active-shooter situations. In these situations, it was no longer
acceptable to simply set up a perimeter and wait for SWAT.
As an example, in the policy and procedure manual of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, Police Department, it is stated,
"MPD personnel shall remain cognizant of the fact that in many active shooter incidents, innocent lives are lost
within the first few minutes of the incident. In some situations, this dictates the need to rapidly assess the situation
and act quickly in order to save lives."[7]
With this shift in police response, SWAT units remain in demand for their traditional roles as hostage rescue,
counter-terrorist operations, and serving high-risk warrants.
Organization
The relative infrequency of SWAT call-outs means these expensively-trained and equipped officers cannot be left to
sit around, waiting for an emergency. In many departments the officers are normally deployed to regular duties, but
are available for SWAT calls via pagers, mobile phones or radio transceivers. Even in the larger police agencies,
such as the Los Angeles PD, SWAT personnel would normally be seen in crime suppression roles—specialized and
more dangerous than regular patrol, perhaps, but the officers wouldn't be carrying their distinctive armor and
weapons.
By illustration, the LAPD's website shows that in 2003, their SWAT units were activated 255 times,[8] for 133
SWAT calls and 122 times to serve high-risk warrants.
The New York Police Department's Emergency Service Unit is one of the few civilian police special-response units
that operate autonomously 24 hours a day. However, this unit also provides a wide range of services, including
search and rescue functions, and vehicle extraction, normally handled by fire departments or other agencies.
The need to summon widely-dispersed personnel, then equip and brief them, makes for a long lag between the initial
emergency and actual SWAT deployment on the ground. The problems of delayed police response at the 1999
SWAT 43
Columbine High School shooting has led to changes in police response,[9] mainly rapid deployment of line officers
to deal with an active shooter, rather than setting up a perimeter and waiting for SWAT to arrive.
Training
SWAT officers are selected from volunteers within their law
enforcement organization. Depending on the department's policy,
officers generally have to serve a minimum tenure within the
department before being able to apply for a specialist section such as
SWAT. This tenure requirement is based on the fact that SWAT
officers are still law enforcement officers and must have a thorough
knowledge of department policies and procedures.
SWAT applicants undergo rigorous selection and training. Applicants
must pass stringent physical agility, written, oral, and psychological
testing to ensure they are not only fit enough but also psychologically
suited for tactical operations.
Emphasis is placed on physical fitness so an officer will be able to
United States Mint Police Special Response
withstand the rigors of tactical operations. After an officer has been
Team
selected, the potential member must undertake and pass numerous
specialist courses that will make him or her a fully qualified SWAT
operator. Officers are trained in marksmanship for the development of accurate shooting skills. Other training that
could be given to potential members includes training in explosives, sniper-training, defensive tactics, first-aid,
negotiation, handling K9 units, rappelling and roping techniques and the use of specialized weapons and equipment.
They may also be trained specifically in the handling and use of special ammunition such as bean bags, flash bang
grenades, tasers, and the use of crowd control methods, and special less-than-lethal munitions. Of primary
importance is close-quarters defensive tactics training, as this will be the primary mission upon becoming a
full-fledged SWAT officer.
SWAT 44
SWAT equipment
SWAT teams use equipment designed for a variety of specialist situations including close quarters combat (CQC) in
an urban environment. The particular pieces of equipment vary from unit to unit, but there are some consistent trends
in what they wear and use.
Weapons
While a wide variety of weapons are used by SWAT
teams, the most common weapons include submachine
guns, assault rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles.
Tactical aids include K9 Units, flash bang, stinger and
tear gas grenades.
Semi-automatic pistols are the most popular sidearms.
Examples may include, but are not limited to: M1911
pistol series,[10] [11] Sig Sauer series [12] [13] (especially
the Sig P226[11] [13] [14] and Sig P229) Beretta 92
series,[13] Glock pistols,[12] [15] [11] [16] [17] [18] and
H&K USP series.[13] [19]
Vehicles
SWAT units may also employ ARVs, (Armored Rescue Vehicle[22] )
for insertion, maneuvering, or during tactical operations such as the
rescue of civilians/officers pinned down by gunfire. Helicopters may
be used to provide aerial reconnaissance or even insertion via
rappelling or fast-roping. To avoid detection by suspects during
insertion in urban environments, SWAT units may also use modified
buses, vans, trucks, or other seemingly normal vehicles.
Dallas Police SWAT's Lenco BearCat Armored
Units such as the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Special Response Team Rescue Vehicle. Similar Lenco models are also
(SRT) used a vehicle called a B.E.A.R., made by Lenco Engineering used by larger departments such as the LAPD and
NYPD.
which is a very large armored vehicle with a ladder on top to make
entry into the second and third floors of buildings. Numerous other
agencies such as the LAPD,[23] [24] LASD [24] and NYPD use both the B.E.A.R. and the smaller BearCat variant.
The Tulsa Police Department's SOT (Special Operations Team) uses an Alvis Saracen, a British-built armored
personnel carrier. The Saracen was modified to accommodate the needs of the SOT. A Night Sun was mounted on
top and a ram was mounted to the front. The Saracen has been used from warrant service to emergency response. It
has enabled team members to move from one point to another safely.
The police departments of Killeen and Austin, Texas and Washington, D.C. use the Cadillac Gage Ranger,[14] as
does the Florida Highway Patrol.[25]
The Beijing SWAT Team of the People's Republic of China (PRC) uses a specially designed Hummer in addition to
other armored vehicles.
Controversies
The use of SWAT teams in non-emergency situations has been criticized.[26] In 2006, two SWAT members served a
warrant on Salvatore Culosi, a 37-year old optometrist in the Fair Oaks section of Fairfax County, Virginia, a suburb
of Washington, D.C., who was accused of sports gambling; the attempted arrest ended with his accidental death.[27]
The officer who was responsible, Deval V. Bullock, was suspended for three weeks without pay.[28] One critic is
Radley Balko, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute, author of Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in
America.[29] Other studies include Warrior Cops: The Ominous Growth of Paramilitarism in American Police
Departments by Diane Cecilia Weber from the same institute and Militarizing American Police: The Rise and
Normalization of Paramilitary Units by Dr. Peter Kraska and his colleague Victor Kappeler, professors of criminal
justice at Eastern Kentucky University, who surveyed police departments nationwide and found that their
deployment of paramilitary units had grown tenfold since the early 1980s..
See also
• List of Special Response Units in the United States
• List of Special Response Units
• SWAT World Challenge
• Manhunt (law enforcement)
• SWAT videogame series
• Swatting
SWAT 46
External links
• [30] The National Tactical Officers Association, a national organization of tactical professionals.
• [31] The International Tactical Officers Training Association, an organization of tactical professionals more
recently established than the NTOA.
• SWAT USA [32] Court TV program that broadcasts real SWAT video.
• Cato Institute [33] Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America
• Detroit Swat [34]
• The Armored Group, LLC. [35] Manufacturer of SWAT Vehicles
• ShadowSpear Special Operations: SWAT [36]
References
[1] American Heritage Dictionary http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ 47/ S0934750. html
[2] Merriam-Webster Dictionary http:/ / www. merriam-webster. com/ dictionary/ SWAT
[3] " Development of SWAT (http:/ / www. lapdonline. org/ metropolitan_division/ content_basic_view/ 849)". Los Angeles Police Department.
. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
[4] " Report following the SLA Shoot-out (PDF) (http:/ / www. courttv. com/ archive/ trials/ soliah/ docs/ lapdreport. pdf)" (PDF). Los Angeles
Police Department. . Retrieved 2008-07-04.
[5] " Siege in Winnetka, California (http:/ / www. latimes. com/ news/ local/ la-me-fivedead9feb09,1,5439551. story?ctrack=1& cset=true)".
Latimes.com. 2008-02-09. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[6] " Report following the Columbine High School Massacre (http:/ / csmonitor. com/ cgi-bin/ durableRedirect. pl?/ durable/ 2000/ 05/ 31/
fp2s2-csm. shtml)". Christian Science Monitor. . Retrieved 19 June 2006.
[7] " Policy & Procedure Manual (http:/ / www. ci. minneapolis. mn. us/ mpdpolicy/ 7-900/ 7-900. asp#P94_7168)". Minneapolis, Minnesota,
Police Department. . Retrieved 19 June 2006.
[8] " official website of THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT (http:/ / www. lapdonline. org/ metropolitan_division/
content_basic_view/ 850)". Lapdonline.org. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[9] CSMonitor.com (2000-05-31). " Change in tactics: Police trade talk for rapid response (http:/ / www. csmonitor. com/ 2000/ 0531/ p2s2.
html)". csmonitor.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[10] Katz, Samuel M.. " Felon Busters: On The Job With LAPD SWAT (http:/ / www. popularmechanics. com/ technology/ military_law/
1280896. html?page=3)". Popular Mechanics. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[11] " SWAT Round-Up International 2006: Team Insights | Tactical Response Magazine (http:/ / www. hendonpub. com/ resources/
articlearchive/ details. aspx?ID=1022)". Hendonpub.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[12] " SWAT Team (http:/ / www. edcgov. us/ sheriff/ swat. asp)". Edcgov.us. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[13] " HowStuffWorks "How SWAT Teams Work" (http:/ / people. howstuffworks. com/ swat-team2. htm)". People.howstuffworks.com. .
Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[14] " TacLink - Washington DC ERT (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Police/ WA_DC_Metro_ERT. htm)". Specwarnet.net. . Retrieved
2009-06-05.
[15] " Glock 38 and 39 Pistols...the .45 GAP | Manufacturing > Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing from (http:/ / www. allbusiness. com/
manufacturing/ nonmetallic-mineral-product/ 4098860-1. html)". AllBusiness.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[16] Hotle, David (2006-09-27). " Golden Triangle Media.com - SWAT team practices law enforcement with a bang (http:/ / www. zwire. com/
site/ news. cfm?newsid=17254514& BRD=1142& PAG=461& dept_id=568956& rfi=6)". Zwire.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[17] " TacLink -Penn State Police SERT (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Police/ PA_State_Police_SERT. htm)". Specwarnet.net. .
Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[18] " TacLink - US Capitol Police CERT (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Police/ WA_DC_Capital_Police_CERT. htm)".
Specwarnet.net. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[19] " TacLink - Chattanooga PD SWAT (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Police/ ChattanoogaSWAT. htm)". Specwarnet.net. . Retrieved
2009-06-05.
[20] " The Bountiful Benelli (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_m0BQY/ is_12_48/ ai_93317490)". Findarticles.com. 2002-12-01. .
Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[21] Eden Pastora. " SWAT February 2003 (http:/ / www. tacticaloperations. com/ swatfeb2003/ index. html)". Tacticaloperations.com. .
Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[22] http:/ / www. highbeam. com/ doc/ 1P3-1421340761. html
[23] Tegler, Eric. " Loaded For Bear: Lenco's Bearcat Is Ready For Duty (http:/ / www. autoweek. com/ article/ 20050509/ FREE/ 505090718)".
Autoweek.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[24] " Bulletproof - Berkshire Eagle Online (http:/ / www. berkshireeagle. com/ berkshirebusinessoutlook/ ci_3609336)". Berkshireeagle.com. .
Retrieved 2009-06-05.
SWAT 47
[25] " FHP Special Activities and Programs (http:/ / www. flhsmv. gov/ fhp/ html/ spec_act. html)". Flhsmv.gov. . Retrieved 2009-06-05.
[26] Steve Macko, "SWAT: Is it being used too much?" (http:/ / www. emergency. com/ swat0797. htm), Emergency Response and Research
Institute, July 15, 1997
[27] Tom Jackman, "Va. Officer Might Be Suspended For Fatality" (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2006/ 11/ 24/
AR2006112401308. html), Washington Post, November 25, 2006
[28] "A Tragedy of Errors" (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 01/ 19/ AR2007011901464. html), Washington
Post, November 25, 2006
[29] Radley Balko, "In Virginia, the Death Penalty for Gambling" (http:/ / www. foxnews. com/ story/ 0,2933,193652,00. html), Fox News, May
1, 2006
[30] http:/ / www. ntoa. org
[31] http:/ / www. itota. net
[32] http:/ / www. courttv. com/ onair/ shows/ swat_usa/
[33] http:/ / www. cato. org/ pub_display. php?pub_id=6476
[34] http:/ / www. detroitswat. com/
[35] http:/ / www. armoredcars. com/
[36] http:/ / www. shadowspear. com/ united-states-special-operations/ other-government-agency-special-operations/
special-weapons-and-tactics. html
48
Albania
Background
Following the emergence of democracy in Albania after 1990 and in order to eradicate all semblances to and
associations with the communist state, many investigators, attorneys and police officers were simply dismissed. This
confused situation soon allowed organised and individual crime to flourish to the point that it soon became the norm
of everyday life. Kidnapping, extortion, prostitution, murder and illegal trafficking were at an all-time high, and the
Albanian fledgling democracy did not have the legal, administrative and organisational experience to combat these
problems — in fact its infrastructure was almost non-existent. During communism, the force that was entrusted with
CT and other special missions was Unit 326, but because of its role in suppressing public unrest during the popular
uprising against communism, it had been neglected.
The new public order authorities recognised the need for a small professional force, and after exhaustive trials and
training finally established what subsequently came to be known as RENEA. It was also known as Unit 88. It was
composed of eighty members, or operatives, who were elected from the 600 original members of Unit 326. The rest
of the operators joined subsequent special intervention groups that came into existence.
The first two weeks are called the "shake-down", in which almost everyone takes part. Only the negotiators and part
of the logistics group (not including drivers) are exempted. Candidates undergo long and complicated psychological
and durability tests designed to weed out weaker applicants. "Shake-down" is harsh, consisting of forced marches in
full combat gear. True to their SAS origins, the operatives must carry a 35 kg (77 lb) backpack, AK-47 with eight
full magazines, handgun and magazines, knives, gas mask, and radio. Their training routes take part in the worst
weather, in some of the toughest terrain that Albania has to offer: in the northeastern mountain range (the highest
peak is Korabi, at 2,751 metres (9,025 feet)), the marshes of Vlora, and the swamps of Durrës and Lezha.
Approximately 75 per cent of the candidates fail at this initial phase. The last day is reserved for infiltration tests.
The candidates that have successfully accomplished the first phase are left helpless in some remote part of Albania,
at a safe distance from the capital, with 200 commandos and national guardsmen at their heels. Each is expected to
make it back to headquarters in Tirana unintercepted. If they are caught they go home. Training, preparation and
tests change according to the whims of the instructors, who are themselves veterans of the unit. They have a
reputation for being unyielding and unmerciful.
addition, "Good faith shooting" is practised, which consists of the operatives standing in line facing one another and
shooting at targets placed between them. The bulletproof Kevlar vest and helmet are the same as those used by the
German GSG-9. They are quite heavy, but they can stop a .30-06 projectile. All types of flash-bang, tear gas and
non-lethal ammunition are in the unit's arsenal. British Avalon anti-gas masks, fireproof clothing (the same as used
by the Italian → GIS, and → NOCS), kneepads, fireproof and tear-proof gloves are also used. Most of the personal
equipment is of US origins, but a few Italian types are also in use, such as Vega and Radar.
In special situations the use of machine-guns (Russian 7.62 x 39 mm RPDs and 7.62 x 54 mm R RPKs) is
authorised. Beretta 92FSs, Makarovs, TT33s, SIG P226s and P228s, and Israeli Jericho 941s are the favourite
sidearms. Glock 17, Walther P99s, CZ75s, H&K USPs, and Walther PPKs can also be found. Vehicles in use
include IVECO vans, Mitsubishi SUVs, and a motley collection of armoured and private cars, usually donated by
sister agencies across Europe. In waterborne operations, Zodiac boats confiscated from traffickers are in use.
Depending on the circumstances, the Albanian Navy could place at their disposal various types of boats and other
craft. Mil Mi-8, Puma and Bell helicopters are used if a situation demands infiltration by air.
Notable missions
• January 1991: In riots at the Shenkoll (Saint Nicholas) maximum security prison, an armed prisoner took several
guards hostage. The attention of national and foreign media was drawn to the crisis. The government of the time
sent in Unit 326, the predecessor of RENEA, which quelled the riots using tear gas and rubber bullets, without
bloodshed. One operative was lightly wounded in the process.
• November 1992: Albania was plagued by massive floods, which inundated many parts of the country. RENEA
distributed food and provided shelter and medical assistance for the uprooted via speedboat and helicopter. One
operative (killed in the line of duty in August 1993) selflessly dived into the icy waters and saved three drowning
shepherds.
• April 1996: In a diplomatic high-level meeting between the Italian president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and Sali
Berisha in Tirana, a deranged individual armed with a grenade with the safety pin removed sought to approach the
two presidents. The two officials were immediately taken away from the scene, while a RENEA negotiator
steadily approached the perpetrator and made contact by twisting his arm, taking the grenade from his hand and
putting the safety pin back onto the weapon.
• January 1997: A female student in depressive state roamed the streets of Tirana with a grenade in her hand. A
RENEA operator approached her and defused the situation without bloodshed.
• 1997: During the crisis that threw Albania in a state of anarchy as a result of the collapse of various pyramid
schemes, where three quarters of the population lost their savings, RENEA was entrusted with the task of
safeguarding the monetary and gold reserves of the National Bank and other financial institutions. RENEA
accomplished the task by removing all valuables from the facilities in unarmed IVECO vans. No money was lost
in the process. This operation, at a time when many police officers were killed by angry civilians, is remembered
by the unit as Operation Kamikaze. During the same year, 90 per cent of all police stations were looted and taken
over by armed individuals. RENEA retook possession of these facilities, recalled all officers to work, and
re-established communications and security systems. In many cases, the operatives repaired all damaged property
themselves.
• 1998–1999: During these years RENEA was engaged in fights with multiple gangs across the nation, which, as a
result of the previous year's anarchy, were armed with weaponry ranging from personal equipment to artillery and
anti-aircraft batteries looted from military depots.
• July 1998: The unit conducted a CT mission by arresting five Egyptian terrorists connected to Bin Laden's
Al-Qaeda.
Reparti i Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur 52
• March 1999: Three armed criminals murdered three police officers and four civilians. Subsequently they
barricaded themselves into a house, taking hostage a couple and their 7 month-old daughter. A RENEA team
went in, freed the hostages, and in the process killed the criminals.
• May 1999: An Albanian emigrant in Greece, disgruntled over payment with his employer, after complained to the
Greek authorities and was escorted to the border and deported to Albania. After buying an AK-47 and two
grenades, he returned to Greece and went to Thessaloniki, where he took hostage a bus carrying fourteen people.
The Greek government gave him the $250,000 that he had asked for and allowed him to enter Albania with his
hostages. Close to Tirana, the negotiators sought to convince him to let the hostages free. He wounded one and
was killed in return by a RENEA sniper.
• 1999: Zani Caushi, leader of one of the most ruthless Albanian gangs, was arrested. The same fate befell the
senior leaders of many other gangs.
• 1999: A gang that had held hostage and then released a senior police official was arrested.
• 1999: Acting on the request of the Italian government, an individual suspected of the murder of three police
officers in Udine was arrested. Although exonerated of this murder, the individual remained behind bars due to
other criminal activities.
• 2000–2001: In three separate operations, three individuals sought for the murder of Azem Hajdari, an Albanian
MP, were arrested. This mission was important because Hajdari was one of the most unorthodox and
controversial leaders of the political opposition at the time.
• February 2001: During Operation Journey Italia, RENEA took credit for destroying an Albanian-American gang,
which, in partnership with the Medellín drug cartel and Italian and Albanian mafia, was exploring the possibility
of turning Albania into a major international launching pad for the trafficking of cocaine. RENEA arrested all
suspects, including a former senior police officer.
• January 2002: RENEA destroyed a gang of narcotics traffickers, which was trafficking than 100 kg (202.5 lb)
heroin per trip. More than 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of pure heroin was confiscated.
• 1990–2004: During the last decade and a half, RENEA has provided escort security to such high-level officials
as: former United States Secretaries of State James Baker and Madeleine Albright, Pope John Paul II, former
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, and various Italian and Greek prime
ministers, in addition to Albanian officials and international officials in government missions in Albania.
Casualties
Over the years (until 2002) the unit has suffered only 3 casualties: specialist Lulezim R. Sulollari (1991), Warrant
Officer Arben N. Ujka (1993), Captain Elam S. Elezi (1998).
Name
Loosely translated RENEA stands for "Unit for the Neutralisation of Armed Elements", whereby "RE" accounts for
REparti (Unit), "N" for Neutralizimit (Neutralisation), "E" for Elementit (Element), and "A" for Armatosur (Armed).
A common misconception is the adding of the word "Elimination" to account for the second "E". Therefore the name
would get a new meaning: "Unit for the Elimination and Neutralisation of Armed Elements".
Reparti i Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur 53
Trivia
The force has as a mascot a little three-legged dog called Tricickle, who is considered to bring great fortune to the
unit.
See also
• EURALIUS, European Assistance Mission to the Albanian Justice System
54
Argentina
Equipment
• Heckler & Koch USP
• Heckler & Koch MP5
• SG 550
• SPAS 12
• M4A1 carbine
• Remington 700P
See also
• Scorpion Group
• Albatross Group
• → Hawk Special Operations Brigade
• Special Operations Troops Company
• Argentine Federal Police
Brigada Especial Operativa Halcón 55
See also
• Grupo Alacrán
• Grupo Albatros
• Grupo Especial de Operaciones Federales
• Compañía de Tropas de Operaciones Especiales
• Policía Federal Argentina
56
Australia
Nickname SRS
Commanders
The Specialist Response and Security Team is the Special Operations and Police Tactical Group of the the
Australian Federal Police (AFP) having responsibility for the Australian Capital Territory. The Operational
Response Group (ORG) has responsibility for AFP National and International tactical operations.[1]
History
SRS are part of the Australian Government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan which requires, since 1978 each
State/Territory Police Force to maintain a specialist counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit with specialist
capabilities. The SRS fulfils this role within the Australian Capital Territory. Originally known as the Armed
Offender Squad, then re-named the Special Operations Team (SOT) the unit underwent significant changes in 2002
and was renamed to reflect the changes in early 2003 to Specialist Response and Security.[2]
Currently commanded by Superintendent Mark Colbran the Specialist Response and Security (SRS) section of ACT
Policing provides a full time tactical operations unit who also perform search and rescue and riot control duties, a K9
section and bomb squad. The unit also commands the AFP's Police Negotiation Team, Water Police, Police Divers
and Major Events Planning Team.
Specialist Response and Security 57
Role
SRS officer undertake the following duties within the ACT:
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations;
• Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations;
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations;
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders;
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations;
• Providing support services for major operations;[3]
• Rescue and bomb disposal operations;
• Counter-terrorism and hijacking operations;
• The escort and security of VIPs, internationally protected persons, Heads of State;
• Testing and evaulation of specialist less than lethal weapons/devices;[4]
SRS officers also provide support to international AFP deployments overseas prior to the formation of the
Operational Response Group [previously known as the Operational Response Team (ORT)].[5]
Their role on such operations includes:
• effect high risk searches, search warrants and arrests
• support to public order policing remote rural patrols
• protection of people in high risk situations[6]
• support to the security of members deployed to mission.
Units
The section consists of a number of units including:
• Water operations team
• Canine (K9) operations team[7]
• Bomb response team[8]
• Tactical Response Team (SRS-TR)[3]
The section also provides close personal protection to important dignitaries
and heads of state visiting Australia.[6]
SRS officers in Canberra during a
training exercise, 2004.
See also
• Australian Federal Police
• Australian Capital Territory Police
• Police Tactical Group
• Australian Federal Police - Specialist Response and Security Team
• New South Wales - → Tactical Operations Unit
• Northern Territory - → Territory Response Group
• Queensland - → Special Emergency Response Team
• South Australia - → Special Tasks and Rescue Group
• Tasmania - → Special Operations Group
• Victoria - → Special Operations Group
• Western Australia - → Tactical Response Group
Specialist Response and Security 58
References
[1] http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ __data/ assets/ pdf_file/ 89127/ AFPAnrep2007-08. pdf
[2] Showcasing special police unit's talents :: ABC Canberra (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ canberra/ stories/ s789990. htm)
[3] ACT Policing Annual Report 2004-2005 (https:/ / www. aps. gov. au/ __data/ assets/ pdf_file/ 3659/ actpolicing_ar0405. pdf)
[4] Police SRS team adopts Tasers - AFP (http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ media_releases/ act/ 2006/ police_srs_team_adopts_tasers)
[5] http:/ / www. afp. gov. au/ international/ IDG/ operational_response_group/ tactical_response_teams. html
[6] Royal visit to Canberra - AFP (https:/ / aps. gov. au/ act/ on_the_beat/ on_the_beat_archives/ 2006/ 14_march)
[7] Canine (K9) operations - AFP (https:/ / www. aps. gov. au/ act/ action/ current_operations/ canine_k9_operations)
[8] Microsoft Word - Corbell Police final 07 24.doc (http:/ / www. parliament. act. gov. au/ downloads/ issues-papers/ Corbell Police. pdf)
Nickname SPG
Engagements 1993 Cangai siege, Ivan Milat arrest, 2000 Sydney Olympics, APEC Australia 2007, World Youth Day 2008
Commanders
agency information
Formed 1862
Employees 18,500
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Officers 15,500
Units
Facilities
Stations 500+
Website
http:/ / www. police. nsw. gov. au
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction.
this information
The State Protection Group (SPG) is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police
Force, having been established in 1991[1] [2] to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports
police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical, negotiation, intelligence and command-support
services. The unit also provides rescue and bomb disposal support, witness security, armoury services and general
security for police and other government institutions[1]
State Protection Group 60
History
Established in June 1991, the State Protection Group replaced four former specialist units—the Special Weapons and
Operations Squad|Special Weapons and Operations Section (SWOS), the Witness Security Unit, regional Tactical
Response Groups and the Rescue Squad.[2]
Principal roles
• Protecting endangered witnesses;
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations;
• Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations;
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations;
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders;
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations;
• Providing support services for major operations;
• Rescue and bomb disposal operations;
• Counter-terrorism and hijacking operations;
• The escort and security of VIPs, internationally protected persons, Heads of State;
• Building security through the Security Management Branch; and
• Providing specialist engineering services and supply of ammunition and firearms for the NSW Police Force
through the Armoury.
Organisation
The Assistant Commissioner (Counter Terrorism), Nick Kaldas, is responsible (as of May 2009) for both the Counter
Terrorist Co-ordination Command (CTCC) and the State Protection Group (SPG), the former being headed by
Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Dein, and the latter by Chief Superintendent Wayne Benson.[1] The SPG
consists of the following sections:
The TOU is equipped with 'less-lethal' devices as well as specialist firearms and equipment for 'domestic' and
counter-terrorist operations. Members of the TOU are sometimes armed with Heckler & Koch UMP submachine
guns.[3]
State Protection Group 61
Negotiation Unit
Under the supervision of a small full-time cadre, highly trained negotiators
are on call across the state on a part-time, as-needed basis.
Intelligence Unit
This unit provides intelligence information to negotiators and other TOU
officers involved in high-risk incidents. Such intelligence may include
information on people involved (offenders, hostages or suspects), or the Negotiation team on the way to a siege.
provision of plans and photographs of premises.< [4].
Police Rescue operators are trained to use equipment such as Jaws of Life, metal detectors, trapped person locaters,
sophisticated communication equipment and cutting tools etc. These officers are experts in abseiling, climbing,
single rope techniques and stretcher escorts with cliff machines.
Some of the Rescue Unit's responsibilities and challenges include:
State Protection Group 62
• Rescuing people trapped in difficult high or deep places such as mines, storm-water drains, cliffs, scaffolding and
remote places.
• Rescuing people involved in industrial, traffic, railway and aircraft accidents or who may have become trapped in
household equipment, machinery or playground equipment.
• Providing power or lighting in emergencies or for police operations
• Rescuing livestock and animals in accidents
• Working in toxic or hazardous environments
In 1993 the Department of Defence handed over bomb disposal
responsibilities to the NSW Police Force. The Bomb Disposal section was
established within Forensic Services and then in 1997, the section was
relocated to the SPG.[7] Prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the Bomb
Disposal section was amalgamated with the Rescue Unit.
Police Rescue conducting rope rescue
The Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit is based in Zetland (Sydney). training at 'The Gap' in Sydney with a
Part-time units are based in Wollongong, Cooma, Goulburn, the Blue 'heavy' and 'medium' rescue vehicle.
Mountains, Bathurst, Newcastle and Lismore. The part-time units are
responsible for land rescue and bomb=appraisal operations.
The unit was the subject of an Australian ABC television series (1991–1996) and a 1994 feature film, Police Rescue.
Armoury Section
The Armoury Section provides specialist engineering services, maintenance and supply of ammunition and firearms
for the NSW Police Force.
Dog Unit
More commonly referred to as the Dog Squad, the Police Dog Unit was
initially created in NSW between 1935 to 1953 and was reintroduced in
1979.[8]
The unit was established to support police in locating offenders and missing
persons, detecting and detaining fleeing criminals and detecting drugs,
firearms and explosives Dogs used for patrol duties are German Shepherds or
Rottweilers. The Labrador retriever is the breed of choice for specialist
detection for narcotics and explosives, etc.[9] Dog Unit officers with general purpose
dogs
After training, all police dog teams are able to track and find wanted
offenders or missing persons, search all types of buildings, detect illicit drugs,
and support foot-patrolling of public places to deter crime and make these places safer for the community. There are
14 police dogs and handlers operating in each region and three located at the Police Dog Training Centre, a total of
59 teams. NSW Dog Squad [10].
Dog Squad officers may be called upon to chase and apprehend offenders who may be escaping arrest and may be
armed and dangerous or act as a deterrent and back up in dangerous situations such as brawls, sieges, riots and
domestics. They are also used to provide high profile foot patrols in places such as schools, industrial areas,
shopping complexes and during large public events such as New Years Eve or sporting events, etc.
NSW Police Force dogs are also issued their own sets of canine body armour/ballistic vests [11].
State Protection Group 63
See also
International units
• → SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
• List of Special Response Units
Related articles
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• New South Wales Police official website [12]
References
[1] Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics (http:/ / www. police. nsw. gov. au/ about_us/ structure/ specialist_operations/
counter_terrorism_and_public_order_management) on NSW Police official site
[2] State Protection Group (http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ spg. html) in 'Thin Blue Line' unofficial police site
[3] Photo: Police at siege incident, Lakes Hotel Rosebery, 31 May 2009 (http:/ / www. news. com. au/ gallery/ 0,23607,5055820-5010140-8,00.
html)
[4] http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ spg. html
[5] Police Rescue Squad: the early days (http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ u3a. html) in 'Thin Blue Line' unofficial police site
[6] NSW Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit (http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ u3. html) in 'Thin Blue Line' unofficial police site
[7] NSW Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit (http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ u3. html) in 'Thin Blue Line unofficial police site'
[8] Police Dog Squad (http:/ / www. policensw. com/ info/ gen/ u5. html) in 'Thin Blue Line' unofficial police site.
[9] Dog Unit (http:/ / www. police. nsw. gov. au/ recruitment/ police_career/ role_and_careers/ careers/ dog_unit) NSW Police official site.
[10] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Australia/ NSW/ Default. htm
[11] http:/ / www. policeone. com/ police-products/ k9/ articles/ 96270/
[12] http:/ / www. police. nsw. gov. au/
Hostage Response Group 64
See also
• Department of Corrective Services
• New South Wales Police Force
• Police Tactical Group
• Australian Federal Police - → Specialist Response and Security Team
• New South Wales - → Tactical Operations Unit
• Northern Territory - → Territory Response Group
• Queensland - → Special Emergency Response Team
• South Australia - → Special Tasks and Rescue Group
• Tasmania - → Special Operations Group
• Victoria - → Special Operations Group
• Western Australia - → Tactical Response Group
• → Armed Offenders Squad (AOS), New Zealand
• → Special Tactics Group (AOS), New Zealand
• → SWAT
• Tactical Response Group - Former NSW Police Force unit
• Special Weapons and Operations Squad - Former NSW Police Force unit
Hostage Response Group 65
External links
• Department of Corrective Services [3]
References
[1] http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ 4corners/ content/ 2005/ s1497258. htm
[2] http:/ / www. highbeam. com/ doc/ 1P1-43475821. html
[3] http:/ / www. dcs. nsw. gov. au/
Territory Response Group 66
The Territory Response Group (TRG) is the Police Tactical Group of the Northern Territory Police. Part of the
Territory Response Section (formerly Territory Support Division) the TRG is tasked to provide general and specialist
support to other units of the Northern Territory Police. It is closely aligned with the The NT Police Counter
Terrorism Security Coordination Unit (CTSCU) which was formally established in July 2003 [1] .
History
The TRG are part of Australian Governments National Anti-Terrorism Plan which requires, since 1978 each State
Police Force to maintain a specialist counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit with specialist capabilities.[2]
Organisation
The Territory Support Division consists of the following sections:[2]
• Bomb Response Unit
• Close personal protection (CPP)
The CPP group is responsible for the co-ordination and conduct of personal
protection of witnesses or dignitaries within the Northern Territory.
• Counter disaster operations NT Police TRG member with MP5
during a high risk arrest of an armed
Under counter disaster plans the group forms survey and rescue teams to offender.
provide a framework for operations in the field in conjunction with other
government departments.[3]
• Manpower assistance
• Police Dive Unit
• Police Tactical Group
The group to provides a → SWAT capability to deal with the containment and resolution of violent offences beyond
the capability of general duties police.
• Public disorder
• Response patrol
One of the group's roles is providing rapid tactical assistance to general duties police in the event of armed offenders
or during high risk operations. An element is available for this purpose as an interim measure before deployment of a
larger group.
• Search and rescue
• Vertical Rescue Unit
• Training unit/wing
Territory Response Group 67
References
[1] " Counter Terrorism Security Coordination Unit (http:/ / www. nt. gov. au/ pfes/ PFES/ index. cfm?fuseaction=page& p=150)". Northern
Territory Police. .
[2] " Territory Support Division (http:/ / www. nt. gov. au/ pfes/ police/ services/ trg/ index. html)". Northern Territory Police. .
[3] " Watching Brief on the War on Terrorism (http:/ / www. aph. gov. au/ HANSARD/ joint/ commttee/ J6711. pdf)". Commonwealth of
Australia Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. 17 July 2003. . Retrieved 2007-10-22.
See also
International units
• → SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
• List of Special Response Units
Related articles
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• Counter-terrorism
Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland) 68
Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) is the Police Tactical Group of the Queensland Police, Australia.
SERT is part of the Specialist Response Branch which incorporates Explosive Operations Response Team (Bomb
Squad) and the Negotiator Coordination Unit.
History
Initially formed in 1975 and originally known as the Emergency Squad, the unit underwent several name changes
over the years and up until 1992 was known as the Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS). Prior to 1992
the unit was part time made up of officers drawn from other areas of the Police and performing tactical duties as
required. Since 1992 the unit is a full-time dedicated police tactical unit and is now known as the Special Emergency
Response Team (SERT).
Mission
To provide a specialist service to the community and support police operations by the attainment of a high level of
expertise and professionalism in resolving incidents which exceed normal police capabilities.
Selection
To qualify for the selection course Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) hopefuls have to undergo a gruelling
fitness regime. They must complete a minimum of 10 chin ups, 35 push ups and 100 sit ups, then run 10km in under
46 minutes and finally swim 400 metres in under 10 minutes. All this is done without a rest. The three-day selection
course is regarded as the most difficult and physically demanding course within the Queensland Police Service
(QPS). It tests physical and mental endurance through individual and team tasks, problem solving, sleep deprivation,
basic survival skills and by challenging phobias (heights and closed spaces).
Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland) 69
Principal roles
• Protecting endangered witnesses;
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations;
• Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations;
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations;
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders;
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations;
• Providing support services for major operations
• High angle rescue
• Less lethal tactics deployment
• Water and Airborne operations and insertion
See also
International units
• → SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
• List of Special Response Units
Related articles
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• Queensland Police official website [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. police. qld. gov. au/
Special Tasks and Rescue 70
Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR Force) is the Police Tactical Group of the South Australia Police.
History
Formed on 30 November, 1978 the South Australian Police STAR Force was a rationalisation of specialist resources
into one command/unit. Specialist units had existed prior to 1978 within SAPOL to deal with emergency situations
such as sieges and armed offenders situations [1].
As in other states, SAPOL decided that it would be more practical and expedient to combine all the skills of various
tactical/special units in one unit and to have specialist personnel on duty or available on call, at all times to deal with
emergencies.
Further restructuring in 1994 saw STAR Force expand its role to include Water Police and the Coordination of
Negotiators.
Mission
STAR Force is designed to handle problems and situations which require more concentrated attention than can
normally be provided by the General Patrol Police and/or which call for tactics which cannot be used by patrol
members in uniform [2].
The unit consists of highly trained personnel skilled in the use of firearms, counter-terrorist tactics, crowd control,
crime prevention techniques, underwater recovery, water policing, Close Personal Protection and search and rescue
operations. Thus there is available at all times a mobile patrol force to assist other line units in emergencies of any
kind, and to act as a support force in crime control operations [1].
Special Tasks and Rescue 71
Principal roles
• Search and rescue
• Helicopter operations
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
• Provide close-quarter CPP and related security measures as necessary.
• VIP Security
• Patrol deployment as a crime prevention
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender
situations;
• Riot/crowd control
STAR Group members at a siege
Structure
STAR Group is a branch of the SAPOL Operations Support Service[3] , and comprises several sections:
• Operations Section
The Operations Section is responsible for a number of different tasks including high risk policing, counter
terrorist response, search and rescue operations and the supplementation of general duty patrols.[4]
Each member is required to develop and maintain skills in weapons handling, high risk policing, counter
terrorist standard operating procedures, VIP protection, search and rescue operations, civil disorder techniques
and many other functions peculiar to S.T.A.R. Operations. Select individuals within S.T.A.R. Operations
develop specialist skills in one key area allowing the provision of helicopter aircrew, marksmen/observers,
VIP drivers, Search and Rescue Coordination and bomb technicians.[4]
• Dog Operations Unit
The Dog Operations Unit provides support to operational police through the deployment of trained dog teams.
Each team comprises a dog, being either a German Shepherd or Labrador retriever dog and handler.
Teams are trained to carry out duties involving tracking, searching, criminal apprehension, drug detection and
explosive detection.[4]
• Water Operations Unit
The Water Operations Unit is responsible for policing the costal and inland waters of South Australia, through
the use of several police vessels, and the provision of police divers, to assist local police in the recovery of
bodies or submerged objects from the sea, inland waters and caves. The unit also conducts marine search and
rescue activities as the need arises.[4]
• Mounted Operations Unit
The Mounted Operations Unit conducts a range of tasks, including mounted patrols, escort duties, searches of
bushland for missing persons, crowd control and ceremonial duties.[4]
Since the inception of mounted patrols in South Australia in 1840, the Mounted Operations Unit has used grey
horses. They are bred and trained at the Thebarton Police Barracks, just outside the central business district of
Adelaide. These police 'Greys' as they are known, are ideal for police work as the light grey tones make the
horse highly visible at night. They are also highly recognisable in the community and are often involved in
community events such as leading the annual Christmas pageant and ANZAC day parade.[5]
• Negotiator Coordinator Section
Special Tasks and Rescue 72
The Negotiator Coordination Section provides support to operational police by deployment of trained
negotiators throughout the State. Under the National Guidelines, negotiation is considered the first option to
achieve a peaceful resolution in high-risk incidents and negotiators respond to all types of incidents where
their expertise may be of assistance.[4]
• Explosive Coordination Section
The Explosive Coordination Section is the bomb squad of South Australia Police. Responsibilites of this
section include the disposal of improvised explosive devices (IED) and other explosive material, clearing
explosives scenes before post-blast examination, conducting high risk searches for bombs, explosives, booby
traps etc and coordinating responses for military ordnance.[4]
• Training and Development Section
See also
• Tactical Assault Group
• → SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
• List of Special Response Units
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• Official website [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. sapolice. sa. gov. au/ sapol/ about_us/ structure/ operations_support_service/ special_tasks_rescue_group. jsp
[2] http:/ / www. police. sa. gov. au/ sapol/ about_us/ structure/ operations_support_service/ special_tasks_rescue_group. jsp?text_only=true
[3] " South Australia Police :: Operations Support Service (http:/ / www. police. sa. gov. au/ sapol/ about_us/ structure/
operations_support_service. jsp)". . Retrieved 2008-09-03.
[4] " South Australia Police :: Special Tasks & Rescue Force (http:/ / www. police. sa. gov. au/ sapol/ about_us/ structure/
operations_support_service/ special_tasks_rescue_group. jsp)". . Retrieved 2008-09-03.
[5] http:/ / www. inthelineofduty. com. au/ timeline. asp?startyear=2002& iID=812
Special Operations Group of the Tasmania Police 73
The Special Operations Group (SOG) is the Police Tactical Group of the Australian Tasmania Police. SOG is a
highly trained group within the Tasmania Police Service, made up of current serving Tasmania Police members from
varied sections and branches[1] .
Mission
The role of the Group is to offer, via specific tactical training, support to
state-wide police operations where police or members of the Tasmanian
public have been or are likely to be exposed to violence or other threats
deemed to be of high risk [2] .
This also includes potential deployment in a national counter-terrorism role in
support of the National Anti Terrorist Plan (NATP). The Special Operations
Group is deployed by the Assistant Commissioner (Crime & Operations).
Negotiation is the primary tool for resolution, wherever possible, however the SOG officers training
SOG provides high level containment skills and a National "best practice"
resolution capability.
History
The SOG commenced in 1978 with police officers undertaking basic tactical training. Since that time the Group has
gone through a number of significant changes, primarily brought about by national trends that saw extreme violence
and related threats used and/or targeted against members of Australian communities. Since 1978, the Group has
experienced several changes in name and training philosophies – from the Armed Offenders Squad to Special
Weapons Squad and now Special Operations Group, a name which more accurately reflects the true nature of the
Group's duties[2] .
The Tasmanian Police SOG was involved in the infamous 1996 Port Arthur massacre helping to bring the event to
conclusion by arresting the heavily armed gunman Martin Bryant[3] .
Special Operations Group of the Tasmania Police 74
Principal roles
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations;
• Counter-terrorism and hijacking operations;
• The escort and security of VIPs, internationally protected persons, Heads of State;
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations;
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders;
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations;
See also
• Tasmania Tasmania Police
• Police Tactical Group
• Australian Federal Police - → Specialist Response and Security Team
• New South Wales - → Tactical Operations Unit
• Northern Territory - → Territory Response Group
• Queensland - → Special Emergency Response Team
• South Australia - → Special Tasks and Rescue Group
• Tasmania - Special Operations Group
• Victoria - → Special Operations Group
• Western Australia - → Tactical Response Group
• → Armed Offenders Squad (AOS), New Zealand
• → Special Tactics Group (AOS), New Zealand
• Tactical Assault Group
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• → SWAT
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• Tasmania Police official website [4]
References
[1] 7.30 Report - 15/10/1999: Elite police group pushes hard to find the right stuff (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ 7. 30/ stories/ s59767. htm)
[2] Tasmania Police - Special Operations Group (http:/ / www. police. tas. gov. au/ on-the-beat/ sog)
[3] The Port Arthur Massacre: A Killer Among Us (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial/ bryant/ )
[4] http:/ / www. police. tas. gov. au/
Victoria Police Special Operations Group 75
The Special Operations Group (SOG) is the Police Tactical Group of the Victoria Police.
History
The Special Operations Group was formed in 1977[1] . Its main function was to provide a response to politically
motivated and criminal terrorist activity. Today, this remains the number one priority for the Special Operations
Group. The SOG is the Victoria Police equivalent of a full-time tactical (→ SWAT) team. Victorian SOG officers
assisted the Tasmanian Special Operations Group during the infamous Port Arthur massacre in 1996.[2]
Mission
The SOG responds to unplanned operational critical incidents such as sieges and siege hostage situations, armed
offender tasks and bomb response incidents. They also assist operational police in planned operations involving
apprehension of dangerous suspects[1] .
Principal roles
• Protecting endangered witnesses
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender
situations
• Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations
• Providing support services for major operations
• Escorting and protecting VIPs and other at risk or important persons
• Bomb disposal operations
SOG officers practicing tactical operations
The SOG also provides specialist assistance in performing tasks which
are beyond the scope of operational police. Some of these tasks may
require specialist equipment or expertise in certain areas.
Victoria Police Special Operations Group 76
Unofficial name
SOG has the unofficial nickname within the police as being the "Sons
of God", an acronym made from the initials S.O.G. and named in
reference to the fact that special operations officers are involved in
dangerous and high risk situations. The nickname also draws from the
SOGs own view towards themselves as being the "peacemakers" which
is also noted as being a passage in the Bible, "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God." - Matthew 5:9.
SOG officers are also affectionately known within Victoria Police SOG officers during an exercise
circles as "soggies" although it is noted within police circles that it is
not advisable to use the nickname directly towards SOG officers [3]
See also
International units
• → SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
• List of Special Response Units
Related articles
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise (NATEX)
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• Victoria Police official website [4]
References
[1] Victoria Police - Special Operations Group (SOG) (http:/ / www. police. vic. gov. au/ content. asp?Document_ID=173)
[2] " Elite police group pushes hard to find the right stuff (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ 7. 30/ stories/ s59767. htm)". ABC. 1999-10-15. . Retrieved
2009-05-05.
[3] One false move... - General - In Depth - theage.com.au (http:/ / www. theage. com. au/ news/ general/ one-false-move/ 2005/ 10/ 15/
1128796742694. html)
[4] http:/ / www. police. vic. gov. au/
Critical Incident Response Team 77
Overview
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRTs) respond to incidents that
wouldn’t warrant the attendance of the → Special Operations Group but for
which the general duties police are not trained or equipped to deal with, such
as offenders armed with knives or potential suicides and 'suspect parcels' [1]
[2]
CIRT also respond to incidents including hostage situations, violent prisoner
control or transfer, suspicious substance attacks and terrorist actions [3] in CIRT officer in tactical gear during an
emergency response searching for a
support of the → Special Operations Group.
gunman.
In high risk situations CIRT response is to cordon and contain an area until
the arrival of the → Victoria Police Special Operations Group. CIRT officers have a range of specialised equipment
and weapons in their inventory ranging from ballistic and tactical vests, shotguns, tasers, bean bag rounds and
various OC (pepper spray) delivery systems [1] [2]
Vision Statement
Provide service excellence through the unit's Discipline, Leadership and Development
8. The provision or supplementation of members for high level security within the Supreme, County and
Magistrates
9. The conduct or assistance with covert or overt operations in support of investigations and /or the apprehension of
offenders
10. Suspicious substance response and/or advice
11. Chemical, Biological, and/or Radiological (CBR) response capabilities and equipment
12. Training
See also
• Police Tactical Group
• National Anti Terrorism Exercise
• → SWAT
• Counter-terrorism
Australia
National organisations
• Australian Federal Police
• → Specialist Response and Security Team
Victoria
• → Special Operations Group
Other Australian States
• → NSW Tactical Operations Unit
• → NT Territory Response Group
• → QLD Special Emergency Response Team
• → SA Special Tasks and Rescue Group
• → TAS Special Operations Group
• → WA Tactical Response Group
New Zealand
• → Armed Offenders Squad
• → Special Tactics Group
External links
• Victoria Police official website [4]
References
[1] " Critical Incident Response Team (http:/ / www. tpass. com. au/ _documents/ Journals/ 2006/ June/
34e7e4ed-9bb3-4189-b6cc-17c758e2326b/ page18_19. pdf)" (PDF). . Retrieved 2008-07-02.
[2] http:/ / www. tpav. org. au/ _documents/ Journals/ 2006/ June/ 34e7e4ed-9bb3-4189-b6cc-17c758e2326b/ page18_19. pdf
[3] (http:/ / www. asisaustralia. com. au/ Events. htm)
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group 79
Mission statement To enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of all people in Western Australia by contributing to
making our State a safe and secure place.
Agency overview
Employees 7,526
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Units
Facilities
Stations 162
Website
[1]
www.police.wa.gov.au
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction.
The Western Australia Police services an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, the world's largest non-federated
area of jurisdiction. In 2008, its 7,526 employees include 5,647 police officers.
History
Early history
The genesis of the police was the appointment of a
sheriff by Captain Stirling in June 1829, as part of the
proclamation of the Swan River Colony. The
proclamation provided for the appointment of a sheriff
having under his direction a high constable, constables,
bailiffs and surveyors of highways. The sheriff still
exists as an officer of the Western Australian Justice
Department—no longer having police or highways
under his jurisdiction. The sheriff retains responsibility
for enforcement of court judgments and the The Lincoln Street Vent, used as a police radio tower in Highgate
Early colonial policemen were recruited by magistrates and worked part-time. They were paid only for specific
tasks, such as one shilling for serving a summons. By 1830, there were fifteen part-time constables in the state, of
whom five worked in Perth.
A mounted force was established in 1834, proving unpopular with citizens on the grounds that it was not efficient
and was being paid out of their taxes for duties which the military should be performing. It was involved in the
"Battle of Pinjarra", in which the police superintendent was killed together with a large number of Aboriginal people.
The first full-time constable for Perth was appointed in 1840.
The Legislative Council passed a police ordinance in 1849 that outlined police powers and responsibilities. An
organised police force was formally established in 1853.
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group 81
Convict period
After convicts started arriving in the colony in 1849, the police acquired the duties of registering and supervising the
ticket-of-leave men. By 1870, after transportation had ceased, some 1,244 ticket-of-leave men had to be supervised
by 146 police employees.
Applicants for police service were required to be aged under forty, literate and physically fit. Leave was difficult to
obtain and officers were not to appear in public when out of uniform. Until the end of the nineteenth century, the
monthly pay day was marked by a parade with band.
A Criminal Investigation Department was set up in 1873, although two detectives had been sent out from Britain in
1854. A fingerprint bureau was set up in 1902 and the first female officer was appointed in 1921.
Death in custody
The royal commission investigated the death of 18-year-old Stephen Wardle, who died of a drug overdose whilst in
custody in the East Perth Lockup.[7] . The commission's report noted:
"The royal commission has no authority under its terms of reference to go beyond the determination of
whether or not there has been criminal or corrupt conduct by any Police officer with respect to the death
of Stephen Wardle. The evidence does not sustain any contention that there was corrupt or criminal
conduct by any Police officer or officers in relation to his death"[8]
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group 82
Organisation
The Police Headquarters is located in East Perth overlooking the
Causeway, near the WACA Ground. The 1960s curved building
also houses the East Perth Lockup and is entered on the State
Heritage Register. Recruits are trained at the Western Australian
Police Academy at Joondalup. Previously the Academy was
located at Maylands, in premises still used by various units
including the mounted and K-9 (police dog) sections. The Perth
Police Station is located at Curtin House, Beaufort Street.
The command structure has the state divided into three regions and sub-divided into fourteen districts. The
highest-ranking police officer in the Western Australia Police holds the title of Commissioner of Police. The current
Commissioner is Karl O'Callaghan, appointed in June 2004, with two deputy commissioners - Murray Lampard
(Operations), and Chris Dawson (Standards and Reform). Politically, the service comes within the portfolio of the
Minister for Police.
A number of specialist units have been established, including the Tactical Response Group (TRG), Crime
Investigation and Intelligence Services, Major Incident Group, Water Police Branch, Community Safety Branch,
Traffic Enforcement Group, Regional Operations Group and Air Support Unit and the Gold Stealing Detection
Unit.[9]
Ranks
Constable First Senior Sergeant Senior Inspector Superintendent Commander Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Class Constable Sergeant Commissioner Commissioner
Constable
dealing with armed offenders, attending sieges and civil-disorder incidents, protecting endangered witnesses,
undertaking searches of premises, securing and escorting dangerous prisoners, heads of state, VIPs and
internationally protected persons, as well as the state's counter-terrorist responsibility. Specialist positions include
marksmen, bomb technicians and negotiators [17] .
The TRG is equipped with a wide range of less-lethal devices as well as specialist firearms and equipment for
'domestic' and counter-terrorist operations. Training includes tactical roping, fieldcraft, paramedical courses, the use
of chemical, biological and radiological equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and weapons.
Image gallery
Police Headquarters
'Booze bus' Major Incident Group (MIG)
unmarked sedan
Curtin House
See also
• Constable Care
• Crime in Perth
• Western Australia Police Pipe Band
References
Sources
• Western Australia Police Annual Reports [18] (Series from 2001)
• Western Australian Year Book 1974.
• Lieutenant-Governor Stirling's Proclamation of the Colony, 18 June 1829 (UK)
• Western Australia Police Service 2003
• WA Parliamentary Select Committee on the Western Australian Police Service [19] Interim Report, June 1996
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group 85
External links
• Western Australia Police website [20]
• Crime Stoppers WA [21]
• Neighbourhood Watch [22]
• Office of Crime Prevention [23]
• Burglar Beware [24]
References
[1] http:/ / www. police. wa. gov. au
[2] WA Ombudsman's Report, 1999—Chapter 3 (http:/ / www. ombudsman. wa. gov. au/ documents/ annualreports/ 1999. pdf)
[3] Cop watchdog's leash too tight—The Australian, 12 October 2007 (http:/ / www. theaustralian. news. com. au/ story/
0,25197,22571953-2702,00. html)
[4] Government media release (http:/ / www. mediastatements. wa. gov. au/ Pages/ CourtCoalitionGovernmentSearch. aspx?ItemId=114126&
minister=Prince& admin=Court& page=2)
[5] ABC Radio PM report, 15 June 2004 (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ pm/ content/ 2004/ s1132535. htm)
[6] Hansard record, 11 October 2000 (http:/ / www. parliament. wa. gov. au/ hansard/ hans35. nsf/ (ATT)/
3F8A7912A242EE90482569BC003C51E7/ $file/ A35+ S4+ 20001011+ p1926b-1927a. pdf)
[7] ABC AM report, 3 March 2004 (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ am/ content/ 2004/ s1057680. htm)
[8] Kennedy Royal Commission report, Chapter 12 (http:/ / www. ccc. wa. gov. au/ pdfs/ Volume I Final Report - Part 2. pdf) page 367
[9] Gold Squad' celebrates its 100th birthday (http:/ / www. mediastatements. wa. gov. au/ Lists/ Statements/ DispForm. aspx?ID=124104)
Government Media Office - Ministerial Media Statements, accessed: 25 June 2009
[10] Accident Investigation Report: B/921/1036 (http:/ / www. atsb. gov. au/ publications/ investigation_reports/ 1992/ AAIR/ pdf/
aair199203840_001. pdf). Department of Transport and Communications - Bureau of Air Safety Investigation.
[11] Newman, WA: Police Aircraft Crash (http:/ / www. ema. gov. au/ ema/ emadisasters. nsf/ 0/
ff2b116359487164ca256d330005aea8?OpenDocument). Australian Government - Attorney General's Department. September 13, 2006.
[12] ATSB releases report on fatal aircraft crash near Newman, WA (http:/ / www. atsb. gov. au/ newsroom/ 2002/ speech/ speech002. aspx).
Australian Government - Australian Transport Safety Bureau. October 23, 2002.
[13] Police Act (1892) (http:/ / www. slp. wa. gov. au/ statutes/ swans. nsf/ PDFbyName/
DF1D05BF16460A87482565DC00083C63?openDocument)
[14] W.A. Criminal Code (http:/ / www. slp. wa. gov. au/ statutes/ swans. nsf/ PDFbyName/
33020351352A05ED4825673600082D53?openDocument)
[15] Australia's National Anti-Terrorism Plan (http:/ / www. nationalsecurity. gov. au/ agd/ WWW/ rwpattach. nsf/ VAP/
(5738DF09EBC4B7EAE52BF217B46ED3DA)~NCTP_Sept_2005. pdf/ $file/ NCTP_Sept_2005. pdf)
[16] W.A. Police recruitment information site (http:/ / www. stepforward. wa. gov. au/ trg. php)
[17] ibid. (http:/ / www. stepforward. wa. gov. au/ trg. php)
[18] http:/ / www. police. wa. gov. au/ Aboutus/ AnnualReport/ tabid/ 935/ Default. aspx
[19] http:/ / www. parliament. wa. gov. au/ Parliament%5Ccommit. nsf/ (Report+ Lookup+ by+ Com+ ID)/
CC85C5333638220148256674000551B4/ $file/ po007. pdf
[20] http:/ / www. police. wa. gov. au/
[21] http:/ / www. wa. crimestoppers. com. au/
[22] http:/ / www. nhw. wa. gov. au/
[23] http:/ / www. crimeprevention. wa. gov. au/
[24] http:/ / www. burglarbeware. wa. gov. a/
86
Austria
EKO Cobra
EKO Cobra
Country Austria
EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is the Counter-Terrorism unit of the Austrian Federal Police.[1] [2] [3]
History
The Einsatzkommando Cobra, formerly known as GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) was formed in 1972,
primarily to protect Jewish immigrants who were using Austria as a throughroute to Israel from attack by Palestinian
militant groups, and as a response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Its main office is in
Wiener Neustadt, with sub-offices in Graz and Linz and Innsbruck. It is directly subordinate to the Federal Ministry
of Interior.
The Federal Ministry of Interior changed the unit's name from GEK to EKO Cobra in 2002. Cobra was the internal
code name for this Special Operations unit, influenced by the TV-Show Mission: Impossible (German: Cobra,
übernehmen Sie!), and now it has become part of the official name.
The 450 men (1 woman) of EKO Cobra are a well trained Counter-Terrorist commando unit, and have trained with
some of the the most elite special forces units.
EKO Cobra 87
Known Operations
EKO Cobra was involved in trying to end the OPEC siege led by Carlos (the Jackal) in 1975, a hostage rescue in the
Graz-Karlau Prison in 1996, and numerous other operations. Although it has never participated in the same type of
hostage rescues that GIGN, → GIS, → GSG 9 and the SAS have , the EKO Cobra is the only Counter-Terrorism unit
to end a hijacking while the plane was still in the air: On October 17, 1996, 4 Cobra officers were on board an
Aeroflot Tupolev 154 escorting deported prisoners to Lagos when a Nigerian man threatened the cockpit crew with a
knife and demanded a diversion to Germany or South Africa. The team overcame the man and handed him to the
authorities after landing. The officers received a decoration by Russian President Putin.
Weapons
EKO Cobra is armed mainly with Austrian-produced weaponry. For example, in line with other Austrian executive
bodies, they are equipped with the Steyr AUG (mil. StG77) assault rifle and the Glock 17 9mm pistol. Their sniper
rifle of choice is the Steyr SSG 69 (SD).
Depending on the situation, they also use the 9mm Steyr TMP machine pistol (another Austrian weapon), the
Franchi SPAS 12, the Heckler & Koch M512, the Remington 870, the Heckler & Koch MP5 A3, the Heckler &
Koch MP7, the Glock 18 or the Heckler & Koch MZP-1 40 mm.
WEGA
Austria's capital city, Vienna, has its own counter-terrorist SWAT team, called WEGA (Wiener Einsatzgruppe
Alarmabteilung; in English: Vienna Operation Group Alarmdepartment) which is equally trained and capable of
handling serious situations such as hostage taking.[1]
External links
• (German) Official website [4]
• (German) Unofficial website [5]
• ShadowSpear.com Special Operations [6]
References
[1] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Austria/ Default. html
[2] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ europe/ gek. htm
[3] http:/ / mycountryonline. com/ about/ GEK. htm
[4] http:/ / www. bmi. gv. at/ cobra/
[5] http:/ / www. doppeladler. com/ misc/ cobra. htm
[6] http:/ / www. shadowspear. com
88
Bangladesh
SWAT (Bangladesh)
Special Weapons And Tactics (Bangladesh)
SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) is an elite tactical unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Bangladesh. They
operate under the Detective Branch of DMP. Eventually, the newly formed DMP unit SWAT is going to be
expanded outwards forming one or more battalions. The force would remain as a part of the police force.
There are 44 members currently in the team. And posted in Dhaka, but they can be called up for any emergency to
anywhere. [1]
The SWAT will go for action whenever existing law enforcing agencies even the elite force Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB) would fail to deal with the criminal groups or any criminal. The members of this team equipped with
sophisticated weapons will act as 'quick response' and conduct 'risky' operations in Dhaka City and even outside if
requires. This is a special wing of the Detective Branch, will work under direct control of the Dhaka Metropolitan
Police Commissioner. [2]
The team will be more powerful than the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB),[3] especially since "This new force has been
created especially to recover illegal arms and arrest the hardcore terrorists," said the DMP Commissioner Nayeem
Ahmed.[3]
Duties
• Hostage rescue.
• Crime suppression.
• Perimeter anti-sniper security for VIPs.
• Providing superior assault firepower in certain high-risk situations.
• Rescuing officers and citizens captured or endangered by gunfire.
• Countering urban terrorist operations.
• Resolve high-risk situations with a minimum loss of life, injury or property damage.
• Resolve situations involving barricaded subjects, (specifically covered by a Hostage Barricade Team).
• Stabilise situations involving high-risk suicidal subjects.
• Provide assistance during drug raids, and serving high-risk arrest and search warrants.
• Provide additional security at special events.
• Stabilising dangerous situations by dealing with violent criminals (such as serial killers or heavily-armed
gangsters ). [1]
SWAT (Bangladesh) 89
Operations
The SWAT was established on February 28, 2009 and was supposed to be deployed in Dhaka on March 1 of that
year. [4]
However the SWAT was operational before that date and seized the hosted service company Aktel, which was
illegaly providing service to five VoIP carriers. There were arrests and the equipment was confiscated as VoIP is
banned in Bangladesh. [5]
They were also deployed for security during the Bangladeshi general election, 2008 and at Shaheed Minar during
celebrations for International Mother Language Day.
[3]
Countering the rising car thefts in Dhaka is an immediate and top priority. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also
plans to reinforce security at hotels around the nation.[6]
Training
SWAT applicants undergo rigorous selection and training, similar to the training some special operations units in the
military receive. Applicants must pass stringent physical agility, written, oral, and psychological testing to ensure
they are not only fit enough but also psychologically suited for tactical operations. Applicants must successfully pass
a stringent background investigation and job performance review. Emphasis is placed on physical fitness so an
officer will be able to withstand the rigors of tactical operations.
Operatives are trained in marksmanship for the development of accurate shooting skills, although the use of firearms
is considered a last resort in law enforcement.
Other training that could be given to potential members includes training in explosives, sniper-training, defensive
tactics, first-aid, negotiation, handling K9 units, abseiling (rappelling) and roping techniques and the use of
specialized weapons and equipment.
They may also be trained specifically in the handling and use of special ammunition such as bean bags, flash bang
grenades, tasers, and the use of crowd control methods, and special less-lethal munitions.
Basic training was conducted in Dhaka and Tangail districts. Afterwards SWAT members are sent to the Blackwater
Training Academy, North Carolina, United States for six weeks advanced training.
Three US agencies such as the FBI, US Police SWAT and US Army provided training locally also.
In addition DMP SWAT has trained with a South Korean counter-terrorist unit too.[1]
Weapons
• Precision Arms Sniper Rifle (.308 cal)
• M4 Carbines
• MP5 submachine guns
• Remington 870 shotguns
• Glock 17 pistols
and other typical weapons associated with Western SWAT teams. [1]
Behind this team, the funding comes from the United States of America.
SWAT (Bangladesh) 90
Vehicles
Usually SWAT members are transported by soft skin Toyota Hilux utility vehicles. Command vehicles and APCs are
also used during operations. There are plans to procure Humvees as well. Even Police helicopters are to be used for
their operations. [1]
References
[1] " Dhaka Metropolitan Police SWAT - Overview (http:/ / www. bdmilitary. com/ index. php?option=com_content& view=article& id=275&
Itemid=132)". bdmilitary. . Retrieved 22 February 2009.
[2] " US experts train SWAT men to fight hardcore criminals (http:/ / www. thedailystar. net/ story. php?nid=23933)". The Daily Star. . Retrieved
22 February 2009.
[3] " US-trained SWAT more powerful than RAB underway (http:/ / nation. ittefaq. com/ issues/ 2008/ 02/ 18/ news0867. htm)". The New
Nation. . Retrieved 22 February 2009.
[4] " The Specialised Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) to launch special drive form March 1 (http:/ / www. newstoday-bd. com/ frontpage.
asp?newsdate=#10950)". The News Today. . Retrieved 22 February 2009.
[5] " SWAT Team shuts Bangladeshi VoIP providers (http:/ / www. fiercevoip. com/ story/ swat-team-shuts-bangladeshi-voip-providers/
2007-04-05)". fiercevoip. . Retrieved 22 February 2009.
[6] " DMP plans watch on hotels, tactic team to curb crimes (http:/ / www. newagebd. com/ 2008/ mar/ 17/ nat. html#1)". New Age. . Retrieved
22 February 2009.
91
Belgium
As the unit's commander, Eric Liévin, said, "a criminal dealing with the
DSU, has a better chance of surviving than another; they try to use a
minimal level of violence/force, and yet try to attain a maximum level of
efficiency."[1].
The DSU consists of an intervention unit, observation unit and a DSU logo, featuring Diana.
technical unit all stationed in the Police caserne in Etterbeek, also the
home of the Police Cavalry units and part of the general reserve. The unit believed to employ about 50 officers, all of
which have a background as a sharpshooter. Overall control of the DSU lies with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but
depending on circumstances the unit can be deployed under operational control of the Ministry of Justice. Prior to
1994 the unit was commanded by the Ministry of Defense. Weapons in use include, among others, Glock 17 9mm
pistols, Heckler & Koch MP5 9mm submachineguns, FN P90 5.7mm submachineguns, Remington 870 12 gauge
shotguns, Accuracy International Arctic Warfare and Sako TRG-21 7.62mm sniper rifles, Heckler & Koch HK69
40mm grenade launcher and FN 303 less lethal launcher.
Two more specialised units also exist, one team has six trained police dogs for detecting the presence of explosive
materials or ammunition, the other one is the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team, which was created in 1978
after the Los Alfaques Disaster.
Four decentralized DSU teams exist in Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi and Liege; the so-called POSA (Protection,
Observation, Support, Apprehension) units.
History
The original DSU was created in the aftermath of the Munich massacre and was called Diane, and the DSU is still
commonly referred as groep Diane. In 1974 the name was changed from Diane to SIE (also outside of Belgium,
Dutch: Speciaal Interventie Eskadron) or ESI (French: Esquadron Spécial d'Intervention, also known as Groupe
Interforces Antiterroriste). In 2001, the DSU was created.
External links
• Belgian Federal Police [2]
Federal Police Special Units 92
References
[1] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Belgium/ SIE/
[2] http:/ / www. polfed-fedpol. be
93
Brazil
BOPE
Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais
"Faca na Caveira" (Portuguese for "Knife In The Skull"), BOPE logo and motto
Active 1978 - Present
Country Brazil
Nickname BOPE
Colors Black
Commanders
BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais, Portuguese for Special Police Operations Battalion) is the elite
special forces unit in the Military Police of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Due to the nature of crime in favelas, BOPE units have extensive experience in urban warfare as well as progression
in confined and restricted environments. It also utilizes equipment deemed more powerful than traditional civilian
law enforcement. Currently serving with 400 soldiers, BOPE is believed to be one of the most violent military forces
in Latin America.[1] [2]
Significant Roles
• Break barricades constructed by drug
traffickers
• Shoot to kill at criminals threatening
human life
• Exterminate drug ghettos as well as its
gangs
• Extract police officers or civilians
injured in confrontations
• Serve high-risk arrest warrants
• Hostage rescue
• Suppress prison riots
• Support civil police in combat
• Special missions in swamps or
BOPE operators.
mountainous terrains such as
reconnaissance, planning and
infiltration
• Engage in combat serving state sovereignty
• M16 rifle A2
• M4 carbine A1
• M1 carbine
• H&K PSG1 sniper rifle
• Benelli M3 shotgun
• FN P90[4]
• IMBEL MD2
• H&K MP5 A2 and K
• H&K G3
• H&K 21
• Taurus PT92
• IMBEL 9mm
• C-4 explosives AR15 is the main BOPE weapon (here in the form of a M4)
• Frag grenades
• FN FAL
• Knife
BOPE 95
Tropa de Elite
In 2006, the book Elite da Tropa was published. Written by sociologist Luiz Eduardo Soares and two BOPE officers,
Major André Batista and Captain Rodrigo Pimentel, it provides a semi-fictional account of the daily routine of
BOPE as well as some historical events, based on the experiences of the latter two. It describes BOPE as a "killing
machine" and details an alleged aborted assassination attempt by some police officers on then-governor Leonel
Brizola. The book was controversial at the time of release, and reportedly resulted in Batista being reprimanded and
censured by the Military Police. [5] The book has been made into a movie, Tropa de Elite (Elite Squad), directed by
José Padilha (the director of Bus 174), with a screenplay by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Bráulio
Mantovani.
Criticism
In 2004, the Project on Extrajudicial Executions at New York University School of Law reported that BOPE had
been implicated in the killing of four youths under the false pretense of their being drug traffickers who resisted
arrest.[6] According to Amnesty International, "Brazil's police forces use violent and repressive methods that
consistently violate the human rights of a large part of the population," and attribute a number of civilian deaths to
BOPE in particular.[7] In March 2006, Amnesty specifically condemned the use of the Caveirão. It stated that
deploying the vehicle aggressively, indiscriminately targeting whole communities, highlighted the ineffectiveness of
excessive use of force.[8]
See also
• Brazilian Military Police
• Military of Brazil
• → GATE (Brazil)
• → SWAT (U.S.A)
• UIM (The Netherlands)
• → GSG 9 (Germany)
• GIGN (France)
• GOE (Portugal)
• Joint Task Force 2 (Canada)
• Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas (Colombia)
External links
• BOPE official website, in Portuguese [9]
• Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil [10] Official web site, in Portuguese
• http://www.diariodeumpm.net/
• http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Rio/0,,MUL12558-5606,00.html
• http://aledesousa.multiply.com/tag/caveirao
• http://www.viaseg.com.br/artigo_vinicius_viatura_blindada.htm
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdRGSeGvYCk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1H8RGgn5RE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIUETq9-SM
BOPE 96
References
[1] http:/ / www. observatoriodaimprensa. com. br/ artigos. asp?cod=456CID004
[2] http:/ / www. radioagencianp. com. br/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view& id=3314& Itemid=43
[3] " Campanha Contra o "Caveirão" (http:/ / www. global. org. br/ portuguese/ campanhacontracaveirao. html)". Justiça Global. . Retrieved
2008-09-19.
[4] Lasterra, Juan Pablo (2008). "La Police Militaire Brésillienne en état de Guerre" (in Spanish). Police Pro No. 11 (September 2008).
[5] Mario Hugo Monken (2006-04-29). " Livro sobre elite da PM do Rio causou punição, diz autor (http:/ / www1. folha. uol. com. br/ folha/
cotidiano/ ult95u120946. shtml)". Folha de S. Paulo. . Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[6] " Human Rights in Brazil (http:/ / www. extrajudicialexecutions. org/ communications/ brazil. html)". Center for Human Rights and Global
Justices, New York University School of Law. . Retrieved 2008-09-19. "BOPE officers falsified the crime scene to incriminate the victims in
an attempt to make them seem like members of a drug trafficking gang. No weapons were found with the victims and none of them had a
history of criminal activity."
[7] " They come in shooting": Policing socially excluded communities (http:/ / web. amnesty. org/ library/ Index/ ENGAMR190252005)".
Amnesty International. 2005-12-02. . Retrieved 2008-09-19.
[8] " Brazil: Caveirão -- Rio’s real “bogeyman” (http:/ / web. amnesty. org/ library/ Index/ ENGAMR190092006)". Amnesty International.
2006-03-13. . Retrieved 2008-09-19. "“The caveirão has become a powerful symbol of the failings of public security policies in Rio de
Janeiro. It typifies the police’s confrontational and divisive approach to Rio’s public security crisis,” said Marcelo Freixo of Global Justice at
the launch of a campaign against the use of the caveirão in Brazil’s favelas."
[9] http:/ / www. boperj. org/
[10] http:/ / www. policiamilitar. rj. gov. br
Weapons
Various types of weapons used by GATE:
• IMBEL MD97- Assault Rifle
• Taurus PT92 - Pistol
• PSG1 - Sniper Rifle
• HK MP5A3 - Submachine gun
GATE operation.
• M4 - Assault Rifle
• M16 rifle - Assault Rifle
• Benelli M3 - shotgun
C-4 (explosive) - explosive
Curiosity
The statistics of the team prove their capacity as one of the best in the world.( in 197 cases only 2 hostages died).
97
Canada
Abbreviation CSC/SCC
Agency overview
Correctional Service Canada 98
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Elected officer Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
responsible
Regions
Website
[2]
www.csc-scc.gc.ca
The Correctional Service of Canada (French: Service correctionnel du Canada), or CSC, is a Canadian
government agency responsible for the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted criminal offenders.
The Correctional Service of Canada came into being on December 21, 1978, when Queen Elizabeth II signed
authorization for the newly commissioned agency and presented it with its Coat of Arms.
The Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada is recommended for appointment by the Prime Minister
and approved by an Order-in-Council. This appointed position reports directly to the Minister of Public Safety
Canada and is accountable to the public via the Parliament.
The current Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada is Don Head, who held this post since June 27,
2008 and previously served as Senior Deputy Commissioner from 2002 until June 2008.
Mission statement
"The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law,
contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while
exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control."[3]
Legislative jurisdiction
The operation of the CSC is governed by federal statute under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and
Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations. In addition, the statute provides for discretion under the directive
of the Commissioner. However, all Commissioner's Directives must remain within the parameters of the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
The Correctional Service of Canada only has jurisdiction over offenders in Canada for court-imposed sentences
greater than 24 months (two years).
Correctional Service Canada 99
Court-imposed sentencing
There are two types of court-imposed sentences:
1. a determinate sentence;
2. an indeterminate sentence.
A determinate sentence is a sentence with a completion date (example five years, seven months), called a "Warrant
of Expiry". This date is court imposed, at which time the Correctional Service of Canada no longer has jurisdiction
over the offender.
An indeterminate sentence is a sentence that is commonly referred to as a "life sentence". The Correctional Service
of Canada has jurisdiction over the offender until the offender passes away. Although the court does impose a
minimum number of years before the offender can apply to the National Parole Board for conditional release. Thus,
a court-imposed sentence of life with no parole for twenty-five years would indicate that the offender would be
incarcerated for a minimum of twenty five years prior to consideration for a potential conditional release to the
community, under the supervision of a community parole officer.
As of 2006 the incarceration rate in Canada was 107 per 100,000 people; one seventh that of the United States'.[4]
Employees
Most personnel are plain clothed including, Parole Officers, Program
Facilitators, Psychologists, Staff Training Officers, Assessment and
Intervention Managers, Security Intelligence Officers,
Assistant/Deputy Wardens, and the Institutional Head, called the
"Warden". Each Region of Canada has a "Deputy Commissioner" who
reports directly to the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Obsolete shoulder patch
Canada, who is based in the National Capital Region (Ottawa,
Ontario).
Employees working at federal penitentiaries are designated as federal Peace Officers under Section 10 of the
Corrections and Conditional Release Act[5].
Uniformed officers
A Correctional Officer is an employee of the Public Service of Canada. All CSC Correctional
Officers are uniformed and are designated as federal Peace Officers under Section 10 of the
Corrections and Conditional Release Act[5].
The rank structure in CSC begins at entry as a Correctional Officer I, otherwise known as COI.
These officers are responsible for security functions at the institution including patrol, security
posts, and escorts.
Correctional
A Correctional Officer II, or COII, is typically assigned to positions requiring a more senior officer Officer I
including living units, communications, or visits. Correctional Officers who are specifically
designated for Federally Sentenced Women (FSW) are called Primary Workers and have an entry
rank of COII.
Once officers move into a supervisory role, which starts at Staff Training Facilitator, the uniform
shirt color is changed from navy blue to light blue.
The Correctional Manager, or CM, is the Institutional Supervisor, and historically had been referred
to as the "Keeper of the Keys", or in short the "keeper". All rank insignia is worn as shoulder
epaulettes attached to the shoulder straps of the uniform as either the word "RECRUIT" for officer Correctional
Officer II
recruits currently in training, or as 1, 2, 3, or 4 gold bars.
Uniformed Correctional Officers employed by CSC are unionized with and supported by the Union
of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO). Grievances filed in relation to potential breaches of the
union contract have three appeals. The first level grievance is within the institution, the second level
at the regional headquarters, and the third being the national headquarters. If resolution with the
management, at the lowest level does not transpire, then some issues may be sent forward to the
Public Service Labour Relations Board. The decision of the Board is then legally enforcable and
binding on both parties, as it is with all other government departments.
Staff
Training
Institutional Emergency Response Team Facilitator
Similar to those of Canadian police forces including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the CSC
has formed Emergency Response Teams to support existing security functions. The IERT will respond to situations
that require or may require a use of force or a special tactical response. These teams can be established across an
entire region or within a single institution, depending on the size. See also → Correctional Emergency Response
Team
Correctional Service Canada 101
CSC institutions
Atlantic
• Nova Institution for Women
• Atlantic Institution
• Dorchester Penitentiary
• Springhill Institution Correctional
Manager
Officer
Recruit
• Westmorland Institution
Quebec
• Archambault Institution
• Cowansville Institution
• Donnacona Institution
• Drummond Institution
• Federal Training Centre
• Joliette Institution
• La Macaza Institution
• Leclerc Institution
• Montée St.-François Institution
• Port-Cartier Institution
• Regional Reception Centre
• Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Institution
Ontario
• Grand Valley Institution for Women
• Bath Institution
• Beaver Creek Institution
• Collins Bay Institution
• Fenbrook Institution
• Frontenac Institution
• Isabel McNeil House
• Joyceville Institution
• Kingston Penitentiary
• Millhaven Institution
• Pittsburgh Institution
• Regional Treatment Centre
Correctional Service Canada 102
• Warkworth Institution
• Prison for Women
Prairies
• Edmonton Institution for Women
• Bowden Institution
• Drumheller Institution
• Edmonton Institution
• Grande Cache Institution
• Grierson Centre
• Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge
• Pê Sâkâstêw
• Regional Psychiatric Centre
• Riverbend Institution
• Rockwood Institution
• Stony Mountain Institution
• Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary
Pacific
• Fraser Valley Institution for Women
• Ferndale Institution
• Kent Institution
• Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge
• Matsqui Institution
• Mission Institution
• Mountain Institution
• Regional Health Centre
• William Head Institution
See also
• Provincial correctional services in Canada
References
[1] http:/ / laws. justice. gc. ca/ en/ showtdm/ cs/ C-44. 6/ / / en
[2] http:/ / www. csc-scc. gc. ca/
[3] http:/ / www. csc-scc. gc. ca/ text/ organi/ organe01_e. shtml
[4] " Fact Sheet Research from the National Council on Crime and Deliquency (http:/ / www. nccd-crc. org/ nccd/ pubs/
2006nov_factsheet_incarceration. pdf)" (PDF). The National Council on Crime and Delinquency. . Retrieved 2008-06-18.
[5] http:/ / laws. justice. gc. ca/ en/ C-44. 6/ 230765. html#rid-230776
[6] Commissioner's Directive (http:/ / www. csc-scc. gc. ca/ text/ plcy/ cdshtm/ 023-cde-eng. shtml)
[7] The CAC Mission (http:/ / www. csc-scc. gc. ca/ text/ cac/ mission-eng. shtml)
[8] The CAC System (http:/ / www. csc-scc. gc. ca/ text/ cac/ resrces/ rm/ 2-eng. shtml)
[9] CCRR (http:/ / laws. justice. gc. ca/ en/ showdoc/ cr/ SOR-92-620/ bo-ga:l_I-gb:s_3/ / en#anchorbo-ga:l_I-gb:s_3)
Correctional Service Canada 104
[10] Easy Out: Catching those on the lam (http:/ / www. ctv. ca/ servlet/ ArticleNews/ story/ CTVNews/ 1036533023878_6/ ?hub=WFive), CTV
News, Apr. 22 2003.(retrieved on August 15, 2008)
7 .Joly de Lotbiniere, Edmond. Administrative Secretary to the Governor General. Letter from Government House,
Rideau Hall. To: Blais, Jean-Jacques, Solicitor General of Canada. April 20th.
External links
• Correctional Service Canada Official Website (http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/)
MIERT
The Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team, or MIERT, is an → emergency response unit formed as a
joint venture of → police agencies in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It was formed in 2006 and is
composed of members of the Delta Police Department, the Abbotsford Police Department, the New Westminster
Police Service, and the Port Moody Police Department.
See also
• List of law enforcement agencies in British Columbia
• → Emergency management
• Emergency Response Team
References
Delta Police MIERT Site [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. deltapolice. ca/ miert/ index. php
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) 105
Prior to attending the ERT course, the applicant must undergo a standardized selection process with the ERT in his /
her area which includes shooting and physical testing. The candidate will receive familiarization training on the MP5
and M16 firearms, in addition to additional pistol training. The current minimum physical standard is the following:
This physical standard will soon be replaced with a timed obstacle course effective April 1st, 2009.
A psychological evaluation must also be completed before a member can attend the ERT course. Some of the
requirements in this regard include not having phobias of water, heights or confined spaces.
Equipment
• SIG-Sauer P226 handgun Switzerland, more and more replaced by Glock 17 and Glock 19
• Smith & Wesson 5946 handgun United States
• Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun Germany
• Colt Canada C8 carbine Canada
• Remington 700 sniper rifle United States
• Remington 870 shotgun United States
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) 106
Assaulter
Assaulters are the general members of the team. They must be trained to use handguns, submachine guns, and rifles.
They also learn
• Close-quarter shooting
• Use of specialized breaching tools
• Diversion devices
• Explosive entry tactics
• Aircraft and tubular assault
• High-risk vehicle assault, dynamic and stealth
• Building assault
• High-risk operational planning: immediate action, stronghold, open-air, ambush
• Bush training
• Camouflage
• Stealth movement
• Dynamic entry
• Chemical weapons
• Communications
Sniper/Observer
One of the more specialized roles, a sniper/observer is especially skilled in field craft and marksmanship who will
keep watch over the situation and neutralize a selected suspect with a single aimed rifle shot. In addition to assault
skills, they learn:
• Weapon safety
• Ballistics: weight, velocity, energy, trajectory
• Marksmanship: positioning, holding, pointing, aligning
• Position: prone, sitting, kneeling, standing,
• Weather / light conditions: sub-zero, snow, rain, wind, fog, cloud, heat, dawn, day, dusk, darkness
• Cover and concealment, movement without detection
• Target indication: arc and field of fire
• Distance judgment
• Image intensifiers
• Map and compass
• Communications
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) 107
See also
• → SWAT
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• → Emergency management
• → Emergency Task Force, Toronto Police Service Ontario
• Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) Canada
• → GSG 9
• CO19
External links
• ERT Official Homepage [1]
• ERT Official Homepage [2] (French Version)
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police [3]
• Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal [4]
• Toronto Police ETF Homepage [5]
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) 108
References
[1] http:/ / www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/ ert-gti/ index-eng. htm
[2] http:/ / www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/ ert-gti/ index-fra. htm
[3] http:/ / www. rcmp-grc. gc. ca/
[4] http:/ / www. spvm. qc. ca/ fr/
[5] http:/ / www. torontopolice. on. ca/ etf/
Organization
The three officers pictured make up the unit's administrative support section.
Their main responsibilities include budget and personnel oversight. Though
they wear the grey ETF uniform they are not qualified as tactical officers. The
Emergency Task Force currently comprises 82 officers from all units who are
tactically trained. There are seven Special Weapons Teams consisting of 10
officers each. The teams are on-call 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Each tactical team has a team leader, assaulters, snipers, bomb technicians,
and a negotiator. All team members are trained as assaulters, and thus are able
to perform any necessary tasks requiring force.
The unit is located in Toronto's Don Mills neighbourhood, in a
35000-square-foot (3300 m2) building that was built in 1989. It contains:
• meeting rooms
• two shooting ranges
• a rappelling tower
• an exercise room
• a large garage to house the unit's specialized vehicles
Three of the TPS's specialized units comprise the ETF. These include the
special weapons teams (tactical), explosive disposal unit (EDU), and the
emergency response unit (ERU). The ERU provides specialized equipment
for the ETF, including high powered lights, crane, and the mobile command
post.
The teams train at their Don Mills station, as well as at CFB Borden, a Canadian Forces (CF) base approximately 45
minutes north of Toronto. The unit also trains with members of the CF's anti-terrorism unit Joint Task Force 2
(JTF2), who are based at the Dwyer Hill Training Facility outside of Ottawa.
In a medical situation, Toronto EMS tactical paramedics in body armour work along with the ETF.
In order to better serve the city of Toronto, the ETF maintains a close working relationship with other police tactical
teams of the Greater Toronto Area, including the York Regional Police Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the
Durham Regional Police Tactical Support Unit (TSU) and the Peel Regional Police Tactical and Rescue Unit (TRU).
Equipment
The ETF use the MP5A3 9 mm submachine gun, Remington 700
bolt-action sniper rifle, Remington 870 shotgun, and the Diemaco
C8 carbine. Less than lethal options are also at the disposal of
team members: these include the X26 Tasers, pepper spray (OC
Spray) and Tear Gas (CS Gas) and Rubber Bullets or bean bag
rounds. ETF also operates Northrop Grumman Remotec Andros
MK V1A bomb disposal remote robots to defuse suspected bombs
or suspicious objects. The newest robot used by the team is the
Remotec Andros F6B.
An Emergency Task Force Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicles used by the team include the Ford Crown Victoria
Police Interceptor and the Chevrolet Suburban. The ETF also have
an armoured car which can be used to rescue injured civilians or officers. The current armoured car, an Armet
Armored Vehicles "Balkan" was put into service during the summer of 2005.
Emergency Task Force 110
Currently, the Toronto Police Service does not have their own helicopter, but has access to the helicopters from York
and Durham Regional Police, along with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police.
Operation highlights
ETF responded to an operation that involved rescuing a
hostage-taking situation on August 25, 2004. A man
with a history of domestic violence took a woman
hostage, holding her at gunpoint during morning rush
hour just outside Union Station in downtown Toronto.
The incident ended when an ETF sharpshooter fired a
shot, killing the man. The hostage was traumatized but
unharmed.[2] [3]
ETF officers were involved with Project Fusion arrests. This was an investigation led by the Province of Ontario
Guns and Gangs Task Force, whose officers were working hand-in-hand with other services, mainly the Durham
Regional Police Drug and Gang Enforcement Units. These arrests happened on the morning of April 1, 2009 and
saw over 120 locations raided by not only by Toronto Police tactical officers, but officers from surrounding police
services as well from as far away as Belleville and London, Ontario. In total, 38 police tactical units were used for
these warrants. The centre of the raids was at the area of Markham and Eglinton, but also included locations in Peel
and York Region, along with several locations in Durham Region.
See also
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police → ERT
• Canadian Forces Joint Task Force 2
• → SWAT
External links
• Emergency Task Force [5]
• Documentary on the ETF [5]
Emergency Task Force 111
References
[1] (http:/ / www. torontopolice. on. ca/ publications/ files/ reports/ 1997annualreport/ building. html#emergency)
[2] " Canadian Police Sniper Ends Hostage Situation With Head Shot (http:/ / www. officer. com/ article/ article. jsp?id=16429)". Associated
Press. . Retrieved 2008-04-16.
[3] " Toronto hostage-taker had history of domestic violence: reports (http:/ / www. cbc. ca/ canada/ story/ 2004/ 08/ 25/ hostage_union040825.
html)". CBC. 2004-08-26. . Retrieved 2008-04-16.
[4] Cherry, Tamara; Don Peat (2008-02-26). " Police foil east-end bank robbery (http:/ / www. torontosun. com/ News/ TorontoAndGTA/ 2008/
02/ 26/ 4877596. html)". Toronto Sun. . Retrieved 2008-04-17.
[5] http:/ / www. ctv. ca/ servlet/ ArticleNews/ story/ CTVNews/ 20061130/ wfive_noescape_061130/ 20061202?hub=WFive/
112
The Snow Wolf Commando Unit (Abbreviation: SWRU; Simplified Chinese: 雪狼突击队) is a special police unit
of the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) tasked with counter-terrorism, riot control, and other special tasks such as
anti-hijacking, and bomb disposal. The SWRU, along with the People's Armed Police Beijing SWAT unit, was
tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
History
The SWRU and the Beijing SWAT unit were unveiled in a demonstration at the Beijing Police Academy in April 27,
2006 as part of a public relations effort to illustrate the capabilities of the People's Armed Police to deal with
terrorism issues, protection of delegates, and to enforce law and order in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Due to the highly-classified nature of their operations, the unit did not display any of their high-tech equipment nor
perform particularly special small-unit tactics during their demonstration, although they did co-participate with the
SWAT team during that demonstration.
Snow Wolf Commando Unit 113
Uniform
The standard uniform layout has the arm patch sewn on the right arm, with the unit badge above the right breast
pocket. The words "SPECIAL POLICE GRP" (Special Police Group) is embroidered on the right side of the tactical
vest or body armour. It is interesting to note that this is a divergence from all the other P.R.C. uniformed units, which
have their badges and patches embroidered on the left side of their uniforms instead.
References
• Xinhua Net (2006). Snow Wolf Commando Unit gears up for Beijing Games [4]. Accessed on 11 August, 2006.
• 王秀宇 (2006). 《少年科学画报》 - 装备堪比欧美:中国雪狼突击队揭开神秘面纱 (Equipped to European
and American Standards: China's Snow Wolf Commando Unit revealed) [5]. Accessed on 23 October, 2006
• 杨磊 (2006). 《21世纪经济报道》 - 直击北京奥运反恐训练:雪狼突击队秘密集训3年 (Counter-Terrorism
at the Beijing Olympics: SWCU Trained in Secret for 3 Years) [6]. Accessed on 23 October, 2006
Snow Wolf Commando Unit 114
External links
• Photo Gallery at Sina News.com [7]
• CCTV-7 News Snippet [8]
References
[1] http:/ / 2008. sohu. com/ 20080106/ n254486971. shtml
[2] http:/ / china-defense. blogspot. com/ 2006_04_01_china-defense_archive. html
[3] http:/ / finance. sina. com. cn/ xiaofei/ xfqqsh/ 20060810/ 09182808929. shtml
[4] http:/ / en. beijing2008. com/ 27/ 49/ article212034927. shtml
[5] http:/ / jczs. news. sina. com. cn/ p/ 2006-09-13/ 1559397837. html
[6] http:/ / news. sina. com. cn/ c/ 2006-08-10/ 100110685092. shtml
[7] http:/ / news. sina. com. cn/ c/ p/ 2006-04-28/ 17479744759. shtml
[8] http:/ / www. ku6. com/ view_video_18428_18741_1. htm
115
Croatia
ATJ Lučko
ATJ Lučko (Croatian: Antiteroristička jedinica Lučko) is an elite
Anti-Terrorist Unit of the Croatian Police stationed in Lučko near
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. The unit was established on
September 7, 1990 and was the first Croatian fighting unit in the
Croatian War of Independence. It was also the only fighting unit
of Croatian forces at the time. During the course of the Croatian
War of Independence, only 14 officers were killed and 52
wounded in the unit of 350 members.
Equipment
• M4A1 SOPMOD
• MP5
• G36C
• MP7
• H&K UMP
External links
• Prvi Hrvatski Redarstvenik [1] (English)
• Antiteroristička jedinica "Lučko" (Zagreb) - MUP-a RH [2] (Croatian)
• FBI and ATJ Lučko cooperate; ATJ Lučko officers receive training in hostage negotiation from FBI agents [3]
(Croatian)
References
[1] http:/ / www. phrkkz. hr/ index. php?eng
[2] http:/ / www. domovinskirat. hr/ content/ view/ 1945/ lang,hr/
[3] http:/ / www. ezadar. hr/ clanak/ u-atj-lucko-zavrsen-tecaj-fbi-a
116
Denmark
Politiets Aktionsstyrke
Politiets Aktionsstyrke (AKS) is the special forces unit of the Danish police.
AKS is a national → SWAT unit. It is meant to handle extraordinarily difficult or life-threatening criminal situations,
such as terrorism, hostage situations, and kidnapping. It also deals with emergency rescue situations that would be
too dangerous for others to handle. The AKS holds responsibility for all anti-terror and counter-terrorism missions in
Denmark. It is known that AKS cross-trains with the army and navy elite-units Jægerkorpset and Frømandskorpset.
AKS led the operation of clearing and evicting the anarchist and leftist groups from Ungdomshuset on March 1,
2007
Other duties include
• Counter sniper operation.
• Forced entrance operations.
• Apprehension of armed suspects.
• Apprehension of barricaded suspects.
• Force protection during deployment.
History
The unit's operational functions are closely guarded secrets, so not much is known. What has been published is that
the unit was created just after the Munich Summer Olympic incident in 1972. In 1998 the unit was re-organized to
include a fixed force of roughly 100 police officers; it previously "borrowed" officers from regular units on an as
needed basis. The Unit is supposed to be transferred to the responsibility of the Danish Security Intelligence Service.
Leader
AKS is led by Rigspolitiet, but soon it will be under PET.
Equipment
• Heckler & Koch MP5
117
Estonia
K-Commando
K-Commando (K-Komando) is a special unit of the Estonian Criminal Police, created in the 1991. It is a special
unit of the Estonian police force similar in function to the → SWAT teams in the U.S., and is responsible for such
issues as managing hostage situations, riot management, high-risk raids and close-protection. The name
K-Commando comes from the name of the group's former leader, Lembit Kolk (retired). They were trained by the
FBI and other foreign agencies.
K-Commando is known for its fearsome reputation and high level of professionalism. Recruitment involves rigorous
testing and requires the approval of all current team members. Only when a consensus has been reached will the
candidate be accepted into the unit. As in other special police units, applicants must have a long service record. The
number of members is undisclosed, and there are no known casualties thus far. Unit operates under the command of
the Central Crime Police (Keskkriminaalpolitsei).
Sources
• ShadowSpear Special Operations Community Website- K-Komando [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. shadowspear. com/ estonia-special-operations/ k-komando. html
118
Finland
Karhuryhmä
Karhuryhmä
Country Finland
Size 90
Nickname Karhukopla (literally Bear Gang. Karhukopla is the Finnish name of the Beagle Boys.)
Motto
The Karhu Team (Karhu-ryhmä in Finnish, Karhu-gruppen or Beredskapsenheten in Swedish), officially called
Helsingin poliisilaitoksen valmiusyksikkö ("Rapid Deployment Unit of the Helsinki Police Department") special
operations and counter-terrorism unit of the Finnish police, equivalent to → SWAT teams in the United States.
Though it is situated in Helsinki City Police Department Karhu is a national police special unit that is used all around
the Finland. Karhu was formed after the Munich massacre in 1972 to provide security for the OSCE Conference on
Security and Co-operation in Europe that was held in Helsinki in 1975. According to law all counter-terrorist
operations belong to the Police or the Finnish Border Guard - Finnish Defence Forces are not involved in CT during
peace time.
The Karhu Team includes, in addition to leadership and training groups, direct action, technical, dog (K9), and
explosive disposal groups. It can also be reinforced with a negotiation group for hostage situations.
The leader of the Karhu Team used to be called rautanyrkki ("Ironfist").
The Karhu Team operates under the authority of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior and is headquartered in
Helsinki. Its members are all volunteers and alternate between normal police work and SWAT duties. The group had
a strength of about 90 police officers in 2008.
The team's weaponry consists almost entirely of standard Finnish police weapons. It uses the H&K MP5 as its
primary submachinegun and the Remington 870 as shotgun. The only significant difference is the use of H&K USP
as personal pistol. The sniper rifles used by the group are Sako TRG -series of rifles TRG-21 and TRG-42. Group
also uses Valmet series of assault rifles.
The colloquial name for the group is Karhukopla, i.e. Beagle Boys, after the Disney comics characters.
Karhuryhmä 119
External links
• A picture of a squad member [1], Finnish Police Force's homepage
References
[1] http:/ / www. poliisi. fi/ poliisi/ periodic. nsf/ vwDocuments/ 51E0AAE77AA0F321C2256EA6004C8807
120
France
GIPN
Groupes d'Intervention de la Police Nationale
Country France
Motto "La cohésion fait la force " ("cohesion makes the force.")
GIPN is an initialism for Groupes d'Intervention de la Police Nationale or French National Police Intervention
Groups. Its motto is " La cohésion fait la force " or "cohesion makes the force."
History
After the tragic events of the Munich massacre in which the Israeli team was kidnapped and then killed by
Palestinian commandos, the various European police forces decided to form special units able to fight against forms
of terrorism and for other crises such as excessive use of force, taking of hostages, escorts etc.
The first GIPN was created on October 27, 1972 and could only intervene at the request of judges or prosecutors. It
was composed of thirty men who have the latest weapons and sophisticated equipment.
The National Police initially formed 11 intervention groups but reduced them to 7 by 1985. This was then expanded
to 9 with the creation GIPN units in Réunion in 1992 and in New Caledonia in 1993.
All the GIPN are in contact with each other and after each mission they send their synthesis and their strategies to the
other groups to share knowledge and if it is needed their intervention techniques.
The Ministerial Circular of August 4, 1995 established the policies of the use of the GIPN: organization, rules of
engagement, territorial competence, missions, principles of actions, implemented, means and coordination.
GIPN 121
Recruitment
Organised at the national level by the DCSP, the selections take place once a year and roll within a structure DFPN
(ENP Saint-Malo or Nimes) with the assistance of a group of psychologists.
All the National policemen and senior police officers apply, as long as they meet the administrative criteria a
minimum of 5 years of service and be no more than 35 years old.
About fifty candidates are selected and conveyed to the selected site where, during a first week, they must pass a
series of events, records review, personality tests, combat ability, claustrophobia, giddiness, athletic ability,
swimming etc….
At the end of this first week, part of the candidates are eliminated, and them others continue with mental tests during
4 days.
After finishing these tests, a score of candidates will be admitted into the GIPN where their training now starts.
Organisation
The GIPN are units of the Central Directorate of Public Security (Fr: Direction Centrale de la Sécurité Publique or
DCSP) which is the uniformed patrol and response branch of the French National Police. The DCSP has competency
in 75 departments and within the territorial services of 9 large provincial towns and overseas (Lille, Strasbourg,
Lyon, Nice, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Rennes, La Réunion and the New Caledonia).
→ RAID is a similar intervention force directly under the management of the National police force and of which the
geographic competence which includes the 21 departments of Paris.
Composed of police officers recruited according to very selective criteria, equipped with the best and latest matériels
and subjected to a rigorous and followed drive, the GIPN can furnish groups of police officers to the service of other
police units.
They intervene with other services of the National police force, each time the situation requires it with the constant
concern for the preservation of the physical integrity of negotiators and only to use necessary force strictly that as a
last resort.
See also
• Gendarmerie Nationale → GIGN and EPIGN, France
• Polícia Militar do Rio de Janeiro BOPE, Brazil
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police → Emergency Response Team, Canada
• Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force, Canada
• → National Security Guards, India
• Metropolitan Police → CO19, United Kingdom
• Karhu Ryhmä, Finland
• → Federal Police Special Units, Belgium, Counter-terrorist Unit
• Bundespolizei → GSG 9, Germany, Counter-terrorist Unit
• State Police MEK/→ SEK units, Germany
• Hong Kong Police → Special Duties Unit, Hong Kong
• Garda Síochána Emergency Response Unit, Republic of Ireland
• Polizia di Stato → NOCS, Italy
• New Zealand Police → Armed Offenders Squad, New Zealand
• Special Emergency Force ()قوة الطوارئ الخاصة, Saudi Arabia
• Guardia Civil → UEI, Spain
• → Nationella insatsstyrkan, Sweden
• → SWAT, United States
• Beijing's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team
• Polícia de Segurança Pública → GOE, Portugal
External links
• Unofficial Site [1]
• Specwarnet report (in English) [2]
References
[1] http:/ / le. raid. free. fr/ accueil. htm
[2] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ europe/ GIPN. htm
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion 123
Country France
Size 60 Operators
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) or RAID. RAID is
like the GIPN a local → SWAT unit of the Police Nationale with more menpower and equipment. Its responsibility
areas are Paris and the suburbs as well as "Plan Piratair" (for plane hijackings), nuclear sites, the Channel Tunnel, the
trains, and other strategic sites. It is the Police Nationale's primarly Counter-terrorism unit and the counterpart of the
→ GIGN of the Gendarmerie Nationale. RAID was founded by Robert Broussard and Ange Mancini in 1985, in
response to a bombing and murder campaign.
History
On 13 May 1993, a disturbed man named Eric Schmitt, calling himself "HB" (for "Human Bomb", in English), and
carrying large quantities of explosives, took 21 children hostages in a school in Neuilly. Nicolas Sarkozy, mayor of
Neuilly at the time, managed to obtain the liberation of several children, though he was put aside of the negotiation
process later on, being not a professional negotiator and thus risking interference with the police forces. After 46
hours, with the hostage-taker falling asleep, members of RAID crept into the school to evacuate the 6 remaining
children. Schmitt is believed to have been shot dead as he suddenly woke up and tried to reach the explosives;
though it is highly possible he was murdered by police forces as he was headshot by 3 bullets[1] . All the children
were safe, as well as their teacher and a nurse.
RAID also arrested members of Action Directe in a more counter-terrorist action.
Recently, RAID operators saw action during the 2005 and 2006 riots in France, as well as in a hostage situation in
Versailles, where an armed man was shot dead by RAID operators after coming under attack.
RAID is in charge of the protection of foreign dignitaries traveling in France. Three of its members have died in
service.
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion 124
Organisation
RAID has a strength of around 180 men and is divided into three main sections with about 60 members each:
• First Section
The first section deals with the usual tasks of special forces: intervention, monitoring, protection.
• Second Section
The second section is the Research and Development unit of the RAID. It studies techniques and collects
information. This section is divided into three groups:
• Intelligence Group
• Technical Group
• Weaponry Group
• Third section
The Third section deals with the psychological aspects of the interventions. It is in charge of negotiations and crisis
management.
It also provides psychological support for the policemen in the unit and in the whole French Police. It is composed of
forensic experts, a psychologist and physicians.
The Negotiation group is on permanent alert. It deals with suicides, violent crises, mental disorders, hostage crises
and other major troubles, independently from the rest of the RAID. It assesses the dangers of the situation, suggests
possible solutions, and helps with the negotiations and the resolution of the crises. If the whole RAID has to
intervene, the Negotiations section is used as a reconnaissance unit, and prepares the intervention of the other
sections. For joining the unit an officers needs five years duty within the Police Nationaleand after passing trough
test he will serve in the RAID for five years. With a commendation he can expand it further five years. After ten
years every men must leave the tactical unit. Officers over thirty-five can not make an application.
Specialities
• Assault Groups
• Sniper
• Parachutist
• Diver
• Demolition
• Effraction
• Group of Research and Information
• Dog handlers
• Logistics
• Negotiators
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion 125
Equipment
• Benelli M3
• Beretta M3P
• Colt M4A1
• FN Herstal Minimi
• FN Herstal P90[2]
• Franchi SPAS-15
• Glock 17 / 17L / 18 / 19 / 26 / 34
• Heckler & Koch G36
• Heckler & Koch HK53
• Heckler & Koch HK69A1
• Heckler & Koch MG3
• Heckler & Koch MP5K
• Heckler & Koch PSG1
• Manurhin MR 73
• PGM Precision Hecate II
• PGM Precision Ultima Ratio
• Remington 870
• Sig Sauer SG553
Bibliography
All the following articles are in French
• Le RAID, l'ultime recours (RAID, the last resort) by Jean-Louis Courtois published by Crépin-Leblond in 2000
• Le RAID, Unité d'élite de la Police Nationale publié aux éditions The RAID, an elite unit of the National Police
published by Crépin-Leblond in 2005 (DVD included)
• Le RAID, l'unité d'élite de la Police Française de Jean-Louis Courtois RAID, an elite unit of the French police by
Jean-Louis Courtois published by Pygmalion-Gérard Watelet in 1999
• HB, 46 heures qui ont bouleversé la France de Jean-Pierre About HB, 46 hours that shook France Jean-Pierre
About editions Tarcher in 2005
• Le jour où j'ai tué HB de Daniel Boulanger The day I killed HB Daniel Boulanger Literature published by
Hachette in 2007
• Le RAID en action Hors Série RAIDS n°19 paru The RAID action RAIDS Off Series No. 19 issued in 2005
• RAID, 20 ans d'action , RAID, 20 years of action, article published in the magazine Commando No. 20
January-December 2005
• La sélection du RAID , The selection of RAID, article published in the magazine Police Pro No. 8 March-April
2008
• Le RAID, 20 ans d'opérations , RAID 20 years of operations, article published in the magazine RAIDS No. 233 in
October 2005
• RAID: refuser la fatalité paru RAID: reject the inevitability published in the magazine Police Frequency No. 2
October 1987
• La police face à l'exception: flics de choc article paru dans le magazine Civic n°53 août-septembre 1995 The
police deal with the exception of shock cops article published in the magazine Civic No. 53 in August-September
1995
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion 126
See also
• → GIGN,GIPN and EPIGN, France
External links
• Unofficial Site [1]
• Specwarnet report (in English) [3]
References
[1] http:/ / www. affaires-criminelles. com/ bio_32. php
[2] Collectif. "Le RAID: Unité d'élite de la police nationale" (in French). Crépin-Leblond (September 15, 2005). ISBN 978-2703002642.
[3] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ europe/ raid. htm
Organization
The service includes nearly 600 police officers and is based in Paris, rue de Miromesnil, not far from the Ministry of
the Interior and the Palais de l'Élysée. The SPHP also has a permanent office in Strasbourg, where sat several
European institutions including the European Parliament. Its members are recruited on internal competition, after
three years of minimum service in the National Police, and after a period of training, holding office for a term,
renewable for 5 years.
The service, run from November 2007 by the Inspector General Jean-Louis Fiamenghi, former head of RAID,
includes:
a staff;
the Security Group of the Presidency of the Republic (GSPR);
Sub-Directorate of French dignitaries, in which include:
the Security Group of the Prime Minister (GSPM)
the Security Group of the Ministry of Interior (GSMI);
Sub-directorate for foreign dignitaries;
Sub-directorate for persons at risk;
Sub-direction of resources and operational support (which has an operational support group).
History Established under the name Travel Services Official (VO) after the assassination of King Alexander I and
Louis Barthou in Marseilles in 1934, it was reformed and changed its name in 1994 after the suicide of Pierre
Bérégovoy with weapon officer in charge of its protection. The unit, with operators of → Recherche Assistance
Intervention Dissuasion (RAID)is responsible for the protection of the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy under
the name Groupe de sécurité de la présidence de la République.
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale 127
Country France
Nickname GIGN
Commanders
The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, commonly abbreviated GIGN (French: Groupe d'Intervention de
la Gendarmerie Nationale), is the French Gendarmerie's elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit; it is part of
the military force (military body charged with police duties and act as Military Police /Provost. It is composed of 380
men, including 11 commissioned officers.
It is the counterpart to RAID of the Police Nationale with enhanced resources and expanded areas of responsibility.
In contrast to RAID, GIGN is also responsible for conducting operations outside of France (such as hostage rescue
for example). Its missions include the arrest of armed criminals, in particular those taking hostages,
counter-terrorism and dealing with aircraft hijacking, and prevention of mutiny in prisons.
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale 128
History
After the Munich massacre during the Olympic Games in 1972, and a prison mutiny in Clairvaux Prison the next
year, France started to study the possible solutions to extremely violent attacks, under the assumptions that these
would be difficult to predict and deflect.[1]
In 1973, the GIGN became a permanent force of men trained and equipped to respond to these kind of threats while
minimizing risks to the public and hostages, for the members of the unit, and for the attackers themselves. The GIGN
became operational on the first of March, 1974, under the command of Lieutenant Christian Prouteau.
Ten days later, a deranged person was successfully stopped in Ecquevilly, validating the techniques of the unit and
proving its necessity. GIGN initially had 15 members, which increased to 48 by 1984, 57 by 1988, and 87 by
2000.[1]
Structure
The GIGN is divided into a command cell, an administrative group, four operational troops of twenty operators, an
operational support troop including negotiation, breaching, intelligence, communications, marksmanship, dogs and
special equipment cells.[2] The special equipment group equips the unit with modified and high-tech equipment, by
either selecting or designing it. GIGN is called about 60 times each year.[3]
All members go through training which includes shooting, long-range marksmanship, an airborne course and
hand-to-hand combat techniques (Krav Maga). Members of the GIGN are widely regarded as having some of the
best firearms training in the world.[1] It is for this reason that many of the world's special operations and
counterterrorist units conduct exchange programs with the GIGN.[1] Mental ability and self-control are important in
addition to physical strength. Like most special forces, the training is stressful with a high washout rate of only 7-8%
of volunteers making it to the training process. GIGN members must be prepared to disarm suspects with their bare
hands.[3]
There are two tactical specialties in the group : HALO/HAHO and divers. Members learn several technical
specialties among police dogs, breaching, long-range sniping, negotiation, etc.[1]
Future
In the future, the newly recruited police officers will be trained for intervention, then will have the opportunity to be
trained in protection and/or research/observation (GSPR old missions and the EPIGN). The total will increase to
about 420 soldiers in 2010, compared to 380 today. It will then be possible to hire up to 200 men, trained and
accustomed to working together in large-scale interventions (mass hostage-taking for example, as in Beslan). The
acronym GSIGN has become moot and the acronym "GIGN" refers no longer the same small unit. The collaboration
of GIGN and RAID is more and more practiced in large hostage-rescue exercises.
Operations
Since its creation, the group has taken part in over 1000 operations,
liberated over 500 hostages, arrested over 1000 suspects, and killed a
dozen terrorists. The unit has seen two members killed in action, and
seven in training, since its foundation, and two of its dogs in action and
one in training.[4]
Past actions include:
Boarding of the Pascal Paoli by the GIGN, on 28
• The liberation of 30 school children from a school bus captured by September 2005. The ship had been occupied by
the FLCS (front de libération de la côte somalienne, "Somali Coast the Corsican trade union STC.
• Planning the liberation of diplomats from the French embassy in San Salvador in 1979 (the hostage-takers
surrendered before the assault was conducted).
• GIGN commandos were instrumental in regaining control during the Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca, Saudi
Arabia on November and December 1979.
• Arrest of a Corsican terrorist of the National Liberation Front of Corsica in Fesch Hostel in 1980.
• Liberation of hostages of the Ouvéa cave hostage taking in Ouvea in the New Caledonia in May 1988.
• Protection of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville.
• In December 1994, the liberation of 229 passengers and crew from Air France Flight 8969 in Marseille. The
plane, hijacked by four GIA terrorists that wished to destroy the Eiffel Tower, had been completely mined, and
three passengers had been executed during the negotiations with the Algerian government. The mission was
widely publicized.
• Arrest of Bob Denard in 1995 in Comoros.
• Operations in Bosnia to arrest persons indicted for war crimes.
• Seizing of 6 Somali pirates and recovery of part of the ransom after making sure "Le Ponant" luxury yacht
hostages were freed in the coast of Puntland in Somalia on the Gulf of Aden. In conjunction with French
Commandos Marines (Naval commandos) on April 2008.
The GIGN was selected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to teach the special forces of the
other member states in hostage-rescue exercises in planes.
Training
• Combat shooting and marksmanship training
• Airborne courses, such as HALO or HAHO jumps, paragliding, and heliborne insertions.
• Combat/Underwater swimming, diving and underwater combat.
• Hand to hand or unarmed combat (e.g., Knife fighting and martial arts)
• Psychological warfare, such as prisoner interrogation
• Police and detective work (investigating cases)
• Infiltration and escape techniques
• Sabotage and demolition.
• Weapon handling, such as knives, firearms, etc.
• Survival and warfare in tropical, arctic, mountain and desert environments.
• Language and culture: GIGN operatives are trained to know basic language and culture skills of several countries.
• Diplomacy skills, such as negotiating.
Equipment
• Manurhin Revolver MR73 (4", 5" ¼, 8" & 10") in .357 Magnum
• Smith & Wesson Model 686 GFS Stainless in .357 magnum (4", till 10") for underwater actions
• Glock 19 with the M73 is one of favorite weapon of the team with Insight Technology M3 LED or M6 with Laser
• Glock 17 and Glock 26
• FN Five-seveN Tactical IOM (5.7x28mm) with Insight Technology M6X Laser
• SIG P228 with 20rd Mag & 15rd Mag
• SIG P226 with 20rd Mag & weaponlight Insight Technology M3 LED
• SIG SP2022 - standard sidearm of French interior security forces
• GIAT / Nexter PA MAC Modèle 1950 (MAC50) - standard French Army sidearm (French gendarmerie is part of
French Army) Could support the punch of 9x19mm for SMG ammunition
• GIAT / Nexter PAMAS-G1S (Licence Beretta 92G) - standard French Army & Gendarmerie sidearm
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale 130
• GIAT / Nexter MAT Modèle 1949 Submachingun (MAT49) in (9x19mm Parabellum) - standard gendarmerie
weapons
• H&K MP5 A5 (3-Round Burst), SD3 (SEF), SD6, and K-PDW (SEF) (Build by GIAT and Sound Silencer from
STOPSON TFM)
• H&K UMP (9x19mm Parabellum) - standard gendarmerie weapons
• FN P90 Tactical with Gemtech SP90 Silencer (5.7x28mm)
• GIAT / Nexter FAMAS-F1 Infantry 5.56x45mm NATO - standard French Army weapon (French gendarmerie is
part of French Army)
• H&K G3 TGS (with HK 79 de 40 mm and MSG-90 Stock)
• H&K 33 EA2 with A3 Folding stock
• SIG SG550 with Hensoldt 6 x 42 BL (5.56x45mm NATO)
• SIG SG551 SWAT with Hensoldt 6 x 42 BL (5.56x45mm NATO)
• SIG SG552 Commando with Bushnell HOLOsight (5.56x45mm NATO)
• Remington 870
• Benelli Super 90 M3T
• Franchi SPAS 12
• FN 1200/1300 Shotgun (Winchester 1200/1300 build by FN When GIAT-Nexter hold the Both Compagnie) -
standard Gendarmerie weapons
• GIAT / Nexter FRF1 (7,5mm MAS Rifle with converion in 7.62x51mm NATO)
• GIAT / Nexter FSA MAS 49/56 MSE - standard Gendarmerie weapons
• Tikka (Beretta Holding Group) T3 Tactical (7.62x51mm NATO) - standard Gendarmerie weapons
• Accuracy International AICS AW with Schmidt & Bender Mil-Dot Mk.II 3-12 × 50 scope (7.62x51mm NATO)
• Accuracy International AICS AWS (7.62x51mm NATO)
• Accuracy International AICS SM in (.338 Lapua Magnum)
• Barrett M82 (.50BMG)
• Barrett M95 (.50BMG)
• McMillan 87R (.50BMG)
• PGM Ultima Ratio (7.62x51mm NATO)
• PGM Hecate II with Scrome J10 10 × 40 (.50BMG)
GIGN leaders
• Lieutenant Christian Prouteau : 1973-1982
• Capitaine Paul Barril : 1982-1983 (Interim)
• Capitaine Philippe Masselin : 1983-1985
• Capitaine Philippe Legorjus : 1985-1989
• Major (Commandant or Chef d'Escadron in Cavalry) Lionel Chesneau : 1989-1992
• Capitaine Denis Favier : 1992-1997
• Major (Commandant or Chef d'Escadron in Cavalry) Eric Gerard : 1997–2002
• Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Gallois : 2002-2007
• Brigade General Denis Favier : 2007-present
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale 131
In fiction
GIGN members are present in several video games such as SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike,Tom
Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown, Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising, and Hitman: Contracts. GIGN uniforms are
available in the games Counter-Strike and SWAT 4.
See also
• Counter-terrorism
• PI2G
• → RAID
• GIPN
• National Liberation Front of Corsica
References
External links
• GIGN Official webpage [5] (French)
• Gendarmerie Nationale's Official webpage [6] (English)
• Gendarmerie Nationale's Official webpage [7] (French)
• Unofficial webpage, officially endorsed [8] (French)
• Book le GIGN aujourd’hui [9] (French)
• Article in Raid Magazine about the new organization & duties [10] (French)
• Blog of an Former member of GIGN [11] (French)
References
[1] SOC - France - GIGN (http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ France/ GIGN/ default. htm) SpecialOperations.com Retrieved 14
April 2007.
[2] (http:/ / www. gign. org/ structure-du-gign/ organisation. php)
[3] Group Intervention of the National Gendarmerie (http:/ / la-gendarmerie. ifrance. com) (French) Retrieved 15 April 2007.
[4] (http:/ / www. gign. org/ groupe-intervention-gign/ hommage. php)
[5] http:/ / www. gendarmerie. interieur. gouv. fr/ gign
[6] http:/ / www. defense. gouv. fr/ gendarmerie_uk
[7] http:/ / www. gendarmerie. interieur. gouv. fr/
[8] http:/ / www. gign. org
[9] http:/ / livres. histoireetcollections. com/ en/ publication-1381-gign-tome-1-le-gign-aujourd-hui. html
[10] http:/ / raids. histoireetcollections. com/ en/ article-23160-elite-gign-raid-convergence-sans-fusion. html
[11] http:/ / www. gign-hommesdaction. com/
133
Germany
GSG 9
GSG 9
Country Germany
Branch Bundespolizei
Part of Directly under control of the Bundespolizei and the Ministry of the Interior
Commanders
The GSG 9 der Bundespolizei (originally the German abbreviation of Grenzschutzgruppe 9 or Border Guard Group
9) is the elite counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the German Federal Police.
As a consequence of the incident's mismanagement, German officials created the GSG 9 under the leadership of then
Oberstleutnant Ulrich Wegener so that similar situations in the future could be responded to adequately and
professionally. Many German politicians opposed its formation fearing GSG 9 would rekindle memories of the Nazi
Party's Schutzstaffel (SS). The decision was taken to form the unit from police forces as opposed to the military as is
the model in other countries on the grounds that German federal law expressly forbids the use of the military forces
against the civilian population, whereas if the special forces were composed of police personnel, this is within the
law. The unit was officially established on April 17, 1973 as a part of Germany's federal police agency, the
Bundesgrenzschutz (federal border guard service, renamed Bundespolizei or federal police in 2005). The name GSG
9 stood for Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (border guard group 9) and was chosen simply because the BGS had eight regular
border guard groups at the time. After the 2005 renaming, the abbreviation "GSG 9" was kept due to the fame of the
unit and is now the official way to refer to the unit. Its formation was based on the expertise of the Israeli Sayeret
Matkal.
GSG 9 is deployed in cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism and extortion. The group may also be used to
secure locations, neutralize targets, track down fugitives and sometimes conduct sniper operations. Furthermore, the
group is very active in developing and testing methods and tactics for these missions. Finally, the group may provide
advice to the different Länder, ministries and international allies. The group assists the Bundespolizei and other
federal and local agencies on request. At the time of the 1977 Mogadishu mission, the Commander of the Israeli
Border Police Tzvi War described GSG 9 as "The best anti-terrorist group in the world."
From 1972 to 2003 they reportedly completed over 1,500 missions[1] , discharging their weapons on only five
occasions. At the SWAT World Challenge in 2005, GSG 9 won an impressive seven out of seven events, beating 17
other teams. GSG 9 defended its championship the following year[2] , but placed fifth in 2007.[3]
Germany offered to give assistance to India in the wake of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. GSG 9 helped train
and upgrade the → National Security Guards, the primary Indian counter-terrorism unit.[4] Further help was provided
to the Mumbai Police so that they could raise a → SWAT team.[5]
Missions
Its first mission, which is still one of the most well-known and established the GSG 9's reputation as an elite unit,
was "Operation Feuerzauber" (Operation Fire Magic). It was carried out in 1977 when Palestinian terrorists hijacked
the Landshut, a Lufthansa plane on the way from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt, demanding that imprisoned
members of the German "Red Army Faction" terrorist group be freed. The aircraft was then flown to several
destinations throughout the Middle East. During this time, the Lufthansa captain was executed by the leader of the
hijackers in Aden. Following a four-day odyssey the hijackers directed the Boeing 737 to Mogadishu, Somalia,
where they waited for the arrival of the Red Army Faction members after the German government had (falsely)
signaled they would be released. In the night between October 17 and October 18, Somalian ranger units created a
distraction, while members of the GSG 9, accompanied by two British SAS operatives as observers[6] , stormed the
plane. The operation lasted seven minutes and was successful: all hostages were rescued, three hijackers died, the
fourth was seriously injured. Only one GSG 9 member and one flight attendant were injured. The international
counter-terrorism community applauded GSG 9 for the excellent and professional handling of the situation,
especially because assaults on planes are considered one of the most difficult scenarios a hostage rescue force could
face.
GSG 9 135
Officials at the German Federal Police headquarters in Potsdam, outside Berlin, concerned about the potential for
a bloodbath, had also spoken out against the operation.[9]
Note: The majority of this unit's missions are confidential and public information is not available. Since the founding
of the GSG 9 the group has participated in over 1500 missions, yet reportedly fired shots only on five occasions
(official count, prior to the 2003 Iraq War). These occasions were Mogadishu in 1977, Bad Kleinen in 1993, Aachen
in 1999 and two more missions where firearms were used to shoot dogs of the persons being arrested.
Organization
The unit forms part of the German Bundespolizei (Federal Police, formerly Bundesgrenzschutz), and thus has normal
→ police powers, including, for example, the power of arrest. The Federal Police of Germany (and thus the GSG 9)
is under the control of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The Bundespolizei also provides aerial transportation for
the GSG 9. In contrast, regular police forces are subordinate to the various States or Länder, as are their →
Spezialeinsatzkommando (SEK) teams, while the military is responsible for the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK)
(Special Forces command) and the Kampfschwimmer.
The GSG 9 is based in Sankt Augustin-Hangelar near Bonn and consists of three main sub-groups, plus a number of
support groups:
Regular operations
The first sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for regular land-based counter-terrorism actions. This may involve
cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism or extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations,
neutralize targets, sniping and tracking fugitives. The group has approximately 100 members.
Maritime operations
The second sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for operations at sea, for example the hijacking of ships or oil
platforms. The group has approximately 100 members.
Airborne operations
The third sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for airborne operations, including parachuting and helicopter
landings. The group has approximately 50 members.
Technical unit
This unit supports other units in gaining entry to target areas and is responsible for the procurement, testing
and issuance of non-weapon equipment. The members of the technical unit are also explosive ordinance
disposal experts. They are trained in the rendering safe and disposal of improvised explosive devices
Central services
This service group maintains the GSG 9 armoury and is involved in testing, repairing and purchasing weapons,
ammunition, and explosives.
Documentation unit
This unit handles communications, including the testing, repairing and purchasing of communications and
surveillance equipment.
Operations staff
Handles the administration of GSG 9.
Training unit
This unit trains existing members, and selects, recruits and trains new members.
GSG 9 137
Training
Members of the Bundespolizei and other German police services with two years of service can join the GSG 9. The
22-week training period includes thirteen weeks of basic training and nine weeks of advanced training. Besides
medical tests there are many physical and psychological requirements, for example running 5000 meters in 23
minutes and jumping a distance of at least 4.75 meters (also rule for German Sports Badge). The identity of GSG 9
members is classified as top secret. Further training often involves co-operation with other allied counter-terrorism
units. Only one in five pass the training course.
Equipment
• Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, in various versions/configurations.
• Heckler & Koch MP7A1 submachine gun
• Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle, G36K, and G36C
• Heckler & Koch 416 Commando carbines
• Heckler & Koch 417 Commando carbines
• G8 automatic rifle.
• AMP Technical Services DSR-1 sniper rifle
• SG 550 assault rifle family
• Steyr AUG A3 assault rifle
• Glock 17 pistol
• USP 45 Tactical (called P12)
• Smith & Wesson and Ruger .357 Magnum revolvers
• Various shotguns
• Heckler Koch MZP-1 grenade launcher
• MBB Armbrust anti-tank weapon
• GSG9 Tactical Boot Designed specifically for GSG 9 by Adidas
In popular culture
• The GSG 9 has been referenced in various media. In Germany, there was a television program based on the
actions of GSG 9 known as GSG 9 - Ihr Einsatz ist ihr Leben. It was canceled in May 2008.
• The GSG 9 are playable models for the counter-terrorist team in the Counter-Strike series of video games.
• One of the bosses in the 1987 video game Metal Gear is a former GSG 9 operator.
• The character Patch from Command & Conquer Renegade was formerly in GSG 9
• Often mentioned by author and former United States Navy SEAL Richard Marcinko in his fiction books.
• Also mentioned in the Swedish thriller The Man from Majorca which describes the connection between Swedish
and German intelligence.
• In the novel Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy and its related video games, one of the Rainbow operators, Dieter
Weber, was a former GSG 9 sniper prior to being selected for Rainbow.
• In the episode "Games of Chance" of the TV series The Unit, a 2 year winning streak of GSG 9 in an international
counter-terrorism challenge is mentioned. This loosely refers to GSG 9 defending the SWAT World Challenge
title around the same time the episode was produced
• The fictional Anti-Terrorist and Cyber Warfare group Public Security Section 9 from Masamune Shirow's Ghost
in the Shell manga and anime series bears a striking resemblance in purpose and ability to GSG 9.
• In the comic book series Preacher, Herr Starr was a member of GSG 9 who was frustrated by what he saw as
weakness and inefficiency in dealing with terrorism, before he was recruited by The Grail.
• Mentioned in Heinz Rudolf Kunze's 1984 song Sicherheitsdienst [10]
GSG 9 138
See also
• Kommando Spezialkräfte, Special Forces of the Bundeswehr
• → Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll, Special Support Team for Customs.
• German commando frogmen Kampfschwimmer, Special Forces of the German Navy (Deutsche Marine).
• Munich massacre, initial incident to form the GSG 9.
• Special Activities Division
• Delta Force
• United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group
External links
• Official GSG 9 page of the German Federal Police [11]
• Site of the GSG 9 companionship [12]
• GSG 9 [13] SpecialOperations.com
• Demonstration video [14]
• Historical video [15] from bpolgsg9.de [16]
• GSG 9 at shadowspear.com [17]
References
[1] Federal Police, Duties and Organisation (http:/ / www. bundespolizei. de/ nn_249932/ DE/ Home/ 06__Presse/
Infobroschuere__down,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile. pdf/ Infobroschuere_down. pdf), page 17.
[2] History of The Original SWAT WORLD Challenge (http:/ / www. swatseries. com/ html/ History. php) "Team GSG-9, the Federal Border
Police of Germany, swept the competition and won all seven events."
[3] http:/ / www. swatseries. com/ html/ Result2007. php
[4] http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/ 400650/
[5] http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ german-counterterror-force-to-help-set-up-mumbai-swat-team/ 440320/
[6] Interview with Ulrich Wegener, Welt Online, 13. Oktober 2007 (http:/ / www. welt. de/ politik/ article1260097/
Ich_war_ueberzeugt_dass_es_laufen_wuerde. html) retrieved on 12-01-2008
[7] (http:/ / www. spiegel. de/ international/ germany/ 0,1518,504037,00. html)
[8] (http:/ / www. spiegel. de/ international/ germany/ 0,1518,576332,00. html)
[9] (http:/ / www. spiegel. de/ international/ germany/ 0,1518,622766,00. html)
[10] http:/ / www. heinzrudolfkunze. de/ musik/ songs/ sicherheitsdienst. html
[11] http:/ / www. bundespolizei. de/ nn_249940/ DE/ Home/ 03__Organisation/ 1Bundespolizeipraesidium/ GSG9/ gsg9__node.
html?__nnn=true
[12] http:/ / www. gsg9. de/
[13] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Germany/ GSG9. htm
[14] http:/ / de. youtube. com/ watch?v=8nXQVxb28cs
[15] http:/ / www. bpolgsg9. de/ index. php?option=com_content& view=article& id=12& Itemid=16
[16] http:/ / www. bpolgsg9. de/
[17] http:/ / www. shadowspear. com/ germany-special-operations/ gsg-9. html
Spezialeinsatzkommando 140
Spezialeinsatzkommando
Spezialeinsatzkommandos (SEK) (previously also known as Sondereinsatzkommando) are the special response
units of the German state police forces. German SEKs are full-time units whose members do not perform any other
duties, and are essentially the equivalent of American → SWAT Teams. The comparable unit of the German Federal
Police is the → GSG 9.
Organization
The organization of special police forces varies from state to state. Whilst most states have created one SEK in their
capital city, have others taken regional crime focuses into account and established SEK units in major cities known
as hotspots for violent crime, such as the North Rhine-Westphalia Police or Rheinland-Pfalz State Police. The
Bavarian State Police and Hessen State Police have two SEKs each, one covering the north and one covering the
south of the state. A SEK unit can be attached to the (barracked) Rapid Reaction Police or to big regional police
headquarters. However, the common trend is to put the SEK units under control of the State Investigation Bureau,
whenever possible in a unit also consisting of the Mobiles Einsatzkommando (MEK, mobile special response unit) or
other specialized forces like crisis negotiation teams.
The internal organisation of SEKs rests with the units and therefore differs as well.
The SEK of South Bavaria has an alpine component and the SEK units of Bremen and Hamburg have elements
trained for maritime tasks. Some SEKs also have specialized negotiation groups (Verhandlungsgruppen, commonly
abbreviated as VGs) for cases like hostage situations or suicide attempts.
Missions
Mainly unrecognized by media and public, the main tasks of SEK units are to serve arrest warrants and to deal with
barricaded suspects. Hostage sieges, kidnappings and raids also belong to their missions as well as other scenarios
like personal security detail for VIPs or witnesses.
Since the 1970s, each SEK has handled several thousand deployments. The front-runner is the SEK of the Berlin
State Police with - arithmetically speaking - 1.4 deployments a day and up to 500 deployments a year.
Spezialeinsatzkommando 141
MEKs
Mobile special response units (Mobile Einsatzkommandos or MEKs) operate hand-in-hand with the SEKs. These
plain-clothed units are specialized in surveillance, quick arrests and mobile hostage sieges or kidnappings. They are
often used in investigations against organized crime or blackmailers. The MEK is often also the unit providing close
protection for the state's senior leaders, including the state's minister president. Requirements for the duty as a MEK
officer are similar or partially less strict than the requirements for the SEK.
See also
• Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK)
• Kampfschwimmer
• → Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll
• Special Activities Division
• Delta Force
• SEAL Team Six
Spezialeinsatzkommando 142
References
[1] http:/ / www. polizei. de
[2] http:/ / www. sondereinheiten. de/ einheiten/ sek/
See also
• KSK
• Kampfschwimmer
• → GSG 9
• → Spezialeinsatzkommando
External links
• Official page [1] (in German)
References
[1] http:/ / www. zoll. de/ d0_zoll_im_einsatz/ h0_zollfahndung/ a0_zka/ a0_aufgaben/ a0_zuz/ index. html
143
Greece
Country Greece
Branch Hellenic Police
Nickname EKAM, Special Suppressive Anti-Terrorist Unit (English translation of unit name)
The Special Suppressive Anti-Terrorist Unit (Greek: Ε.Κ.Α.Μ. - Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική
Μονάδα, Eidiki Katastaltiki Antitromokratiki Monada) is the Greek counter-terrorism unit of the Hellenic Police. It
is the most distinguished part of the Hellenic Police. It was formed in 1978 when the first 2 antiterrorist units were
created within the 2 Police Divisions that existed then (Hellenic Gendarmerie and the Hellenic Urban Police) and in
1984 were united into a single body, the Hellenic Police. In the beginning the Unit had only 150 men but when
Greece became the host country of the Olympic Games of 2004 their number increased to 200 after reassessing the
needs for the magnitude of the event.
Training
The EKAM force is based in Athens, but have several detachments spread throughout Greece's major cities. Each
officer is a full time member who must have at least five years on the force before being allowed to try out. Many
receive training from the Greek Army's Ranger School before going on to the police counter-terrorism school.[1]
The Special Suppressive Anti-Terrorist Unit of the Hellenic Police follows a three month training program every
year. For its training modern, purpose-built facilities are being used. Training can also take place in other locations
such as buildings in urban or rural areas (inhabited or not), the Athens International Airport, planes of Olympic
Airways, the Piraeus port infrastructure, the Hellenic Railroad system, the Athens Metro. Other places that have been
decided as suitable to cover its training needs can also be used. The Unit is in constant cooperation with other
Special Units abroad such as The FBI and SAS .
Operations
The Special Suppressive Anti-Terrorist Unit of the Hellenic Police, operates all around Greece and abroad whenever
is deemed necessary. It has confronted challenges such as hostage situations and it has contributed in the arrests of
many dangerous criminals. The SRATU played a key role in the dismantling of the November 17 and Revolutionary
People's Struggle terrorist organizations. In March 2003, it confronted successfully an incident on a Turkish
Aeroplane which was hijacked while it flew from Istanbul to Ankara (flight no. 160) and ended up at the Athens
International Airport at the order of the hijacker. In a successful operation the Unit stormed the plane and arrested
Special Anti-Terrorist Unit 144
the hijacker by incapacitating him with a taser[2] and releasing all hostages safely.[3]
Duties
• Hostage situation response
• High risk arrests
• High risk VIP's escort
• W.M.D (Weapons of mass destruction) (C.B.R.N) hostage situation, intrusion response
• Special antiterrorism operations and operations against organized crime in collaboration with the Hellenic
Security Forces
• Rescue operations in general including physical disasters in cooperation with the Fire Brigade
Equipment
• Accuracy International AW[4]
• Colt M4 carbine[4]
• AK47[4]
• FN Herstal Five-Seven[4] [5]
• FN Herstal P90[4] [5] [6]
• FN Herstal FAL
• FN Herstal MAG[4]
• Glock 21[4]
• Heckler & Koch MP5[4]
• Remington 870[4]
• Sig Sauer P229[4]
References
[1] ::Rieas:: - Greek Special Forces Outlook (http:/ / rieas. gr/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view& id=183& Itemid=66)
[2] " TASER International, Inc. commends Greek Police Special Forces on use of ADVANCED TASER M26 to arrest Turkish Airlines Flight
160 hijacker (http:/ / www. prnewswire. co. uk/ cgi/ news/ release?id=100343)". TASER International. . Retrieved 2007-06-09.
[3] " Turkish Aeroplane hijacked (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ europe/ 2897667. stm)". BBC News (BBC). 2003-03-29. .
[4] " Greece Ministry of Public Order Press Office: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (http:/ / www. astynomia. gr/ images/ stories/ DOCS/
Attachment11480_ENHMEROTIKO_EKAM_ENGL. pdf)". http:/ / astynomia. gr - Official Website of the Hellenic Police. July 2004. .
Retrieved 2009-10-13.
[5] Milosevic, Milan (2005). " Trojanski Konj za Teroriste (http:/ / www. kalibar. rs/ code/ navigate. php?Id=74)" (in Serbian). Kalibar. .
Retrieved 2009-10-13.
[6] "EKAM: Athens' Specialist Force" (June 01, 2004). Intersec UK Magazine (ISSN: 09630058), Volume 14 Issue 6, pp 182.
145
Hong Kong
Role internal security, illegal immigration operations, crowd management, anti-crime operations and disaster response
duties
Size 1,020
Anniversaries 2008
Commanders
The Police Tactical Unit (PTU, Chinese: 警察機動部隊) is a special unit of the Hong Kong Police Force. This unit
is made up of six companies, comprising in total about 1,020 officers. Each company (under the command of a
Superintendent)is made up of 4 platoons, each led by an Inspector or Senior Inspector. A platoon comprises 32
Officers with 1 Station Sergeant (senior NCO) and 8 Sergeants. The PTU provides an immediate manpower reserve
for use in any emergency. PTU companies are attached to all land Regions and are available for internal security,
crowd management, riot control, anti-crime operations and disaster response duties throughout Hong Kong. The
PTU also provides up-to-date instruction and training in internal security and crowd management techniques for a
wide cross-section of Force members.
Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong) 146
The division is often referred to as 'The Blue Hat Brigade' by Hong Kong locals. The name is in reference to the blue
(now black) berets worn as part of their uniform
The → Special Duties Unit was formed out of the PTU's Sniper Squad in 1974.
Firearms
• Smith & Wesson Model 10
• Remington 870
• Federal Model 201-Z Riot Gun
• AR-15
Vehicles
• Mercedes-Benz Vario
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
• Saxon (vehicle) AT105
In popular culture
• The unit is portrayed in the 2003 film PTU, directed by Johnnie To.
• 2007 TVB series On The First Beat
• The unit is also portrayed in the 2009 film series Tactical Unit, directed by Johnnie To and with the same leading
actors and actress of the 2003 film PTU.
• The PTU also appear briefly in The Sniper 2009.
See also
• → Special Duties Unit
• → Airport Security Unit
• VIP Protection Unit
External links
• History of PTU - Hong Kong Police [1]
• PTU [2]
References
[1] http:/ / www. info. gov. hk/ police/ hkp-text/ english/ history/ history_03. htm
[2] http:/ / www. info. gov. hk/ gia/ general/ 200811/ 21/ P200811210279. htm
Special Duties Unit 147
Commanders
Insignia
The Special Duties Unit (Abbreviation: SDU; Traditional Chinese: 特別任務連, nicknamed 飛虎隊 Flying
Tigers) is a secretive and elite paramilitary → police unit of the Hong Kong Police. Established in July 1974, it is a
sub-division of the → Police Tactical Unit (PTU).[1] Its primary functions include counter-terrorism, anti-narcotic
raids, hostage rescue and other crimes (usually involving firearms) which are deemed too dangerous for local police
to handle. The unit holds regular training exercises with similar units from around the world and used to be trained
by the British SAS before the handover of Hong Kong to China.
Special Duties Unit 148
Organisation
It consists of a support group, administration group and the action group. The action group is the core of the unit,
further categorised into the land assault team, the water assault team and the sniper team.
The following units include:[2]
• Operation Team, which is divided into Team A and Team B, together with the Sniper team. Team C is
responsible for the training of SDU officers.
• The medical team, which consists of SDU officers with special trainings on battlefield first aids.
• The headquarter, which is responsible for all administrative works, as well as providing intelligences to the
operations.
• The boat team, which maintains and operate the Zodiac vessels. The Zodiac vessels are also used by the US Navy
SEAL Special Operation Force.
• The maintenance team, which maintain all land vehicles as well as the Asia's most advanced Close Quarter Battle
(CQB) House.
• special duties paramedics - introduced in 2000
Known Operations
During a robbery in 1992, four robbers with AK-47 assault rifles battled the SDU, resulting in 7 operatives injured.[2]
As a result of this incident, their CQB technique was further refined in order to fit Hong Kong's unique urban
environment, and new equipment was added to the SDU's arsenal.[2]
Before Christmas Eve of 2003, Kwai Ping Hung the most wanted person in Hong Kong was arrested in a joint raid
between the SDU and Criminal Intelligence Branch (CIB, Team D) with no gunshots being reported.[10]
When the WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005 was held in Hong Kong, the SDU was deployed to protect WTO
delegates in the country.[11]
See also
• → Airport Security Unit
• → Police Tactical Unit
External links
• SDUPro.com [12]
References
[1] " Hong Kong Special Duties Unit (http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Hong_Kong/ Default. htm)". Special Operations. .
Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[2] " Unofficial SDU History (http:/ / hk. geocities. com/ sduhongkong/ origin. html)". . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[3] " Unofficial SDU History Page (http:/ / www. sdupro. com/ info. html)" (in Traditional Chinese). . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[4] " "Flying Tigers" Roar for Consular Corps (http:/ / www. police. gov. hk/ offbeat/ 610/ ehead. html)". . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[5] " No plan to cut resources for Special Duties Unit : Hong Kong Police (http:/ / www. police. gov. hk/ pprb/ peb/ english/ H021701_e. html)". .
Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[6] " Unofficial SDU Training Page (http:/ / hk. geocities. com/ sduhongkong/ )". . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[7] " Joint recruitment for SDU and ASU (http:/ / www. info. gov. hk/ gia/ general/ 200108/ 29/ 0829219. htm)". 2001-08-29. . Retrieved
2009-01-07.
[8] " Unofficial SDU Equipment Page (http:/ / hk. geocities. com/ sduhongkong/ equipment. html)". . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[9] " Unofficial SDU Kit Page (http:/ / www. sdupro. com/ kit. html)" (in Traditional Chinese). . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[10] " "O記"聯同"飛虎隊"攻破械劫集團 擒獲頭號通緝犯 - 季炳雄 2003-12-24 (http:/ / www. sdupro. com/ news/ 20031224. html)" (in
Traditional Chinese). . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[11] " HK in tight security for WTO ministerial conference (http:/ / english. people. com. cn/ 200512/ 11/ print20051211_227220. html)".
Xinhua. . Retrieved 2009-01-07.
[12] http:/ / www. sdupro. com/
Airport Security Unit (Hong Kong) 152
Branch Hong Kong Police Force New Territories South Regional Headquarters - Airport District
Garrison/HQ Chek Lap Kok Police station, 8 Catering Road West, Chek Lap Kok, New Territories
Colors blue
Anniversaries 1997
Commanders
Weapons
• AR15 ASU on duty
• GLOCK 17
• Heckler & Koch MP5
• Telescopic batons
Airport Security Unit (Hong Kong) 153
In popular culture
The ASU made a rare appearance in the movie Connected (2008). This
is one of their rarest portrayals in the Hong Kong Movie cinema
See also
• Counter-terrorist units, by country
ASU on patrol
External links
• ASU fan site [2] (Archived [3] 2009-10-24)
• http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!fxpUnmGBGEF8PLYkT_Q-/article?mid=926&prev=1098&next=-1
References
[1] Government of Hong Kong; Joint recruitment for SDU and ASU (http:/ / www. info. gov. hk/ gia/ general/ 200108/ 29/ 0829219. htm); 2001
August 29
[2] http:/ / www. geocities. com/ hkpf_asu/
[3] http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ 5kmDnWFTN
154
Iceland
Víkingasveitin
Sérsveit Ríkislögreglustjórans
Country Iceland
Role Security of the state and state officials, Security of foreign dignitaries, Counter-Terrorism and → Law
Enforcement
Size About 50
Commanders
Víkingasveitin (English: The Viking Squad), or Sérsveit ríkislögreglustjóra (English: Special Unit of the National
Police Commissioner) is Iceland's elite counter-terrorism unit, specializing in various types of armed and unarmed
infantry combat. It is designated to perform the same missions as → SWAT teams and CO19 of the United
Kingdom, → FBI:HRT of the United States, → OMON and OSNAZ of the Russian Federation, and Germany's →
GSG 9. It is in many ways modeled on the → Norwegian Delta counter-terrorist unit with which it conducts many
exercises, both in Norway and Iceland. The Viking squad has about 50 police officers. The National Police
Commissioner has published that the squad will be fully manned at 52 police officers.
Víkingasveitin 155
Duties
The unit is tasked with several duties, including but not limited to:
• Security of the state and state officials.
• Security of foreign dignitaries.
• Counter-Terrorism
• Support of local police forces.
Additionally, the unit is designated to protect important installations in wartime, and it is often involved in exercises
with Norwegian and Danish military special forces. During the stay of the U.S. military forces in Iceland, it
conducted anti-special forces training operations and was responsible for its defences against terrorism.
Squads
The Viking Squad has five main squads:
• Alpha Squad: A bomb squad specializing in bomb defusal.
• Bravo Squad: A boat squad specializing in operations on sea and water, diving and underwater warfare, and boat
operations.
• Charlie Squad: A sniper squad specializing in sniper warfare, entries, and close target reconnaissance.
• Delta Squad: An intelligence squad specializing in anti-terrorism intelligence, surveillance, and infiltration.
• Echo Squad: An airborne squad specializing in aircraft hijacking operations, skydiving and surprise assault
operations, along with port security.
Firearms
• Heckler & Koch MP5
• Heckler & Koch G36 Assault rifle
• Blaser R93-7.62×51 NATO
• Glock 17
• Steyr SSG 69
• Mossberg 500
History
Armed police
Although the first Icelandic law enforcement officers, the
nightwatchmen of Reykjavík in the 18th century, were heavily armed
with morningstars, the armed capabilities of early 20th century police
were very limited. However the threat of a communist revolution and
later invasion by foreign militaries forced the Icelandic government to
rethink its position on police weaponry.
During the war Agnar did his best to continue acquiring weapons despite the unwillingness of British occupational
forces to permit such imports. Nonetheless Reising cal 45. sub-machine guns and Federal laboratories grenade
launchers were bought from the U.S. along with tear and nerve gas grenades.
The forming of a military defence force from the military trained portion of the Icelandic police didn't continue after
the war, as it was eventually decided that the U.S. Armed Forces would continue to defend Iceland from military
threats while Icelandic police concentrated on internal threats from communist revolutionary forces.
Videos
Videos of Viking squad training.
• Training video [1]
• Training video [2]
• Training video [3]
• Training video [4]
• Training video [5]
References
• http://www.police.is
• http://www.bjorn.is in Icelandic
See also
• Icelandic National Police
• Military of Iceland
References
[1] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=_4zJKDFV_m4
[2] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=kd6B8KyncKA& feature=related
[3] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=PZUjvtKdDN8& feature=related
[4] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=nJmmQjHUCw0& feature=related
[5] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=O3EQ6opoYpY& feature=related
157
India
NSG Logo
Agency overview
Formed 1984
Jurisdictional structure
Specialist jurisdiction Paramilitary law enforcement, counter insurgency, armed response to civil unrest, counter terrorism,
special weapons operations.
Operational structure
Website
[1]
www.nsg.gov.in
The National Security Guard (NSG)(Hindi: राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा गार्ड) is a Special Response Unit in India that has primarily
been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security
Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986. It works completely within the Central Paramilitary Force structure.
The NSG operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by the Director General of the
Indian Police Service (IPS).[2] The DG has always been an IPS officer whereas the recruitment is done from the
National Security Guards 158
Functions
The NSG's roles include protecting VIPs, conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorist
threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists and responding to hijacking and piracy.
The NSG is much sought after for VVIP security for high-risk VVIPs in India; this task is done by the Special
Rangers Group of the NSG. The Special Action Group is the strike force in anti-terrorist and anti-hijack
operations, supported by the SRG and others. The NSG's specific goals include:
• Neutralization of terrorist threats
• Handling hijacking situations in air and on land.
• Bomb disposal (search, detection and neutralisation of IEDs).
• PBI (Post Blast Investigation)
• Engaging and neutralizing terrorists in specific situations.
• Hostage Rescue
The NSG has a total personnel strength of about 14,500. The NSG is modelled on Germany's → GSG-9 [3] [4] . It is a
task-oriented force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) and the
Special Ranger Groups (SRG). All the personnel are on deputation from Indian Armed Forces.
The SAG is the offensive wing drawn from units of the Indian Army. The SRG consists of members from Central
Police Organisations (CPOs) such as the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and
State Police forces and other units.
The NSG Training Centre is a Centre of Excellence and the National Bomb Data Centre holds international
conferences. Both are located at Manesar in Haryana. The NSG Headquarters Exchange is located at Mehramnagar,
Palam.
History
The NSG was established under the National Security Guard Act of 1986. The NSG was formed after an analysis of
1984 Operation Blue Star. During this operation, in which the Indian Army removed Sikh militants who had seized
control of the Golden Temple, there was significant civilian collateral casualties. The temple also suffered damages
during that operation. The operation highlighted the need for a force specialising in counter-terrorist operations with
greater efficiency.
The NSG commandos were first used to combat the insurgency movement in the Indian state of Punjab in 1986.
They are now primarily utilised for counter-terrorist activities and have been continuing major combat operations in
Jammu and Kashmir.
NSG deployments are usually not made public, with most of its operations remaining classified.
Some of the NSG's known operations include:
• April 30, 1986 - attack on Khalistani militants who took over the Golden Temple during Operation Black Thunder
I
• May 12, 1988 — attack on Khalistani militants hiding in the Golden Temple during Operation Black Thunder II
National Security Guards 159
• April 25, 1993 — rescue of hijacked plane Indian Airlines Boeing 737 by Islamic militants during Operation
Ashwamedh
• October, 1998 — major combat missions in Jammu and Kashmir
• July 15, 1999 — rescue of 12 hostages held by armed terrorists who had stormed an apartment complex in
Kashmir and killed 4 people
• September 25, 2002 — Operation Vajra Shakti to free hostages held by terrorists who had killed 26 worshippers
at the Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. They suffered their first combat death in this operation. A
second commando, who was seriously injured and was in a coma, died after 18 months.
• November 26 2008 Mumbai attacks — Operation Black Tornado and Operation Cyclone to flush out terrorists &
rescue hostages after multiple attacks across Mumbai, India. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Gajender Singh
Bisht of the Special Action Group lost their lives during the operations.
As on December 2008, Germany offered to give additional assistance and training to the NSG by the famous →
GSG-9. [5]
Equipment
• SG 552 Commando
• Heckler & Koch MP5
• Glock 17
• Glock 19
• Heckler & Koch PSG1
• IMI Galil Sniper
• Heckler & Koch 512
Former Chiefs
The following had commanded the NSG in the past:[2]
• RT Nagrani • RD Tyagi
• MC Mishra • GS Pandher
• KL Watts • TR Kakkar
• SD Pandey • Nikhil Kumar
• HP Bhatnagar • Gurbachan Jagat
• Ved Marwah • Dr R Rajagopalan
• DVLN Ramakrishna • R.S. Mooshahary
Rao • AK Mitra
• Dr S Subramanian • Dr GS Rajagopal
• RK Wadehra • Jyoti Krishna Dutt
• BJS Sial • NPS Aulakh (Present)
• AK Tandon
National Security Guards 160
In fiction
• Sacred Games - A book by Vikram Chandra.
• Kashmeeram - A Malayalam movie by Rajiv Anchal; starring Suresh Gopi.
• Keerthi Chakra -- A Malayalam movie by Major Ravi; starring Mohanlal.
• Mission 90 Days - A Malayalam movie by Major Ravi; starring Mammooty.
• Baazi - A Hindi movie by Ashutosh Gowarikar; starring Aamir Khan.
• Vaaranam Aayiram -- A 2008 Tamil movie by Gautham Menon portrays Surya Sivakumar's character as an NSG
agent.
• Angrakshak hindi movie starring Sunny Deol.
See also
• Special Forces of India
• Paramilitary forces of India
• List of special response units
External links
• NSG. "National Security Guard [1]".: Official Website of NSG
• India Defence. "National Security Guards [6]". Retrieved May 14 2006.
• Bharat Rakshak. "National Security Guards [7]". Retrieved May 14 2006.
• Federation of American Scientists. "National Security Guards [8]". Retrieved May 14 2006.
• Bharat Rakshak. "National Security Guards [9]". Retrieved November 30 2008.
References
[1] http:/ / www. nsg. gov. in
[2] FORMER DGS. " NSG (http:/ / nsg. gov. in/ FormerDGs. htm)". OFFICIAL WEBSITE NSG. . Retrieved 2007-10-05.
[3] India Today 2009 01 09 Modernising the NSG article (http:/ / indiatoday. digitaltoday. in/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view&
id=24796& sectionid=30& Itemid=1& issueid=88)
[4] Indian Express article on GSG-9 re-training the NSG (http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/
400650/ )
[5] http:/ / www. indianexpress. com/ news/ elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/ 400650/
[6] http:/ / www. india-defence. com/ military/ nationalsecurityguards
[7] http:/ / www. bharat-rakshak. com/ LAND-FORCES/ Special-Forces/ NSG. html
[8] http:/ / www. fas. org/ irp/ world/ india/ mod/ nsg. htm
[9] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 19980419131938/ http:/ / www. bharat-rakshak. com/ ARMY/ NSG. html
MARCOS 161
MARCOS
MARCOS (India)
Active 1987 - Present
Country India
Branch Navy
Operation Cactus, Operation Pawan, Kargil War, Raid on LTTE in 1987, Operation Black Tornado, Operation
Operations Cyclone
AK-47 and variants, Colt M16A2, INSAS 5.56 mm, Type 56 assault rifle, Tavor assault rifle, HK MP5 sub-machine
Equipment gun and 7.62 mm SLR assault rifle, H-3 Sea King and Chetak helicopters, Cosmos CE-2F/X100 two-man
submarines.
MARCOS (previously named as Marine Commando Force (MCF)) is an elite special operations unit of the Indian
Navy. "MARCOS" is short for "Marine Commandos", and MCF is an acronym for "Marine Commando Force".
The force started off as the Indian Marine Special Force, the first batch qualifying in February 1987. It was later
renamed as the Marine Commando Force (MCF) in 1991. The force has gradually acquired experience and a
reputation for professionalism over the two decades it has been in existence. It is one of India's highest trained and
best equipped forces.
The force was initially trained by the other special forces of the country, including those under the Home Ministry,
the Army, Air Force, Police and paramilitary units. This was later supplemented by foreign training facilities,
notably the SEALS of the US Navy. Over the years, the force set up its own training facility, first as an adjunct of
the operational company at Mumbai, later as the Naval Special Warfare Tactical Training Centre. Wide exposure to
different forms of warfare have been obtained through field operations in counter insurgency and anti terrorist
operations within the country, and joint exercises with more than a dozen countries across the world.
the Sri Lankan Army, thereafter boarded the ship and accepted the surrender of the militants and took them into
custody.
• The MARCOS are presently deployed at the Wular Lake in Kashmir, one of Asia's largest fresh-water lakes,
where they have achieved significant success in counter insurgency operations against Kashmiri separatist
militants.
• Kargil War. Covert operations behind enemy lines.
• Protecting offshore oil rigs and platforms
• In its first ever action in the Gulf of Aden, MARCOS thwarted an attempt by pirates to capture the Indian
merchant vessel MV Jag Arnav on November 11, 2008.[1]
• Operation Black Tornado: MARCOS stormed the Trident and Taj Hotels at Mumbai during the recent terrorist
attacks on 27 November, 2008 during the November 2008 Mumbai attacks [2] , wounding one terrorist at the Taj,
and sustaining two casualties (injuries). They were replaced by the NSG when the latter arrived later in the day,
withdrawing to a supporting role.
• On December 13, 2008 MARCOS units operating from the Indian Naval warship INS Mysore foiled another
pirate hijack attempt of Ethiopian vessel MV Gibe off the Somali coast. In the process twenty three pirates were
arrested[3]
Training
Training includes the following:-
• Open and closed circuit diving.
• Basic commando skills including
advanced weapon skills, demolitions,
endurance training and martial arts.
• Para training.
• Intelligence training.
• Operation of submersible craft.
• Offshore operations.
• Anti terrorist operations.
• Operations from submarines.
• Skydiving.
• Various special skills such as language MARCOS commando on training exercise in the Philippine Sea.
training, insertion methods, etc.
multiple) responsibilities.
Activities
Candidates use tactics similar to the Israeli undercover special warfare units called Mistaravim (Hebrew for "Those
who pretend to be Arabs"), sporting beards and wearing the 'pheren' (Kashmiri suit), thus making them
indistinguishable from the locals.
Marcos have been active in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the Army's counter-terrorist efforts. Their main task is to
control the infiltration of terrorists from across Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and
Wullar, a 65 square kilometer freshwater lake. Some Marcos personnel are also attached with the Army special
forces units conducting counter-terrorism operations in the area.
During 2003, the MCF participated in training exercises called Exercise Balance Iroquois 03-1/Vajra Prahar, with
American Special Operations Forces in Mizoram [4].
During September 2005, the MCF participated in the joint US/Indian naval exercises called Malabar 05.
Bases
The MCF currently operates out of the naval bases at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Port Blair.
Plans are afoot to shift the existing training facility the (Naval Special Warfare Training and Tactical Centre) to a
new facility to be set up at the erstwhile Naval Academy in Goa on the lines of the Indian Army's Counter
Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Warangte, Mizoram.
Equipment
• Small Arms: AK-47 and variants, AKS-74U, AK103, APS, INSAS 5.56 mm, Tavor Assault Rifles, Commando
Carbines HK MP5 sub-machine gun with variants, M4 carbine. The 7.62 mm SLR assault rifle and the
SVD_Dragunov sniper rifle is used in long range and sniping roles respectively and Uzi.
• Support Weapons: Carl Gustav 84mm RL (M2), C90 RL, FN 7.62 mm MMGs, 40 mm grenade launchers,
automatic grenade launchers, shoulder fired anti aircraft missiles,
• Transport: H-3 Sea King,Chetak and HAL Dhruv helicopters, Cosmos CE-2F/X100 two-man submarines
See also
• SEAL Team Six
• US Navy SEAL
• CIA Special Activities Division
• MARSOC
• Marine Force Recon
• Marines
• Special Forces of India
• Indian Naval Academy
MARCOS 164
References
• De Lionis, Andres. "Marine Commandos: India's Flexible Elite", Jane's Intelligence Review, 8:230-232, May
1996
• "Naval marine commandos bag gallantry awards for operations against ultras", Indian Express, March 10, 2000
• Bharat Rakshak [5], an Indian defence analysis website
References
[1] " Navy foils Indian ship's hijack attempt off Aden (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ India/ Navy_foils_Indian_ship_hijack_off_Aden/
articleshow/ 3699918. cms)". Times of India. . Retrieved November 11, 2008.
[2] " MARCOS - Bravehearts who rescued Mumbai's hostages (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ thehindu/ holnus/ 001200811281760. htm)". The
Hindu. . Retrieved November 28, 2008.
[3] " India plays globo cop off Somali coast as Western navies play safe (http:/ / www. bharat-rakshak. com/ NEWS/ newsrf.
php?newsid=10510)". Bharat Rakshak. . Retrieved December 24, 2008.
[4] http:/ / www. hvk. org/ articles/ 0503/ 157. html
[5] http:/ / www. bharat-rakshak. com/ NAVY/ Marines. html
Central Bureau of Investigation 165
Agency overview
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Regions
Facilities
Branchs 52
Notables
Person • D. P. Kohli, Executive Director, for being the founding director (1963 to 1968)
Significant • Bofors
issues • ISRO spy ring
• Hawala
• Nithari Killings
• Priyadarshini Mattoo
Website
http:/ / www. cbi. gov. in/
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) (Hindi: केंद्रीय अन्वेषण ब्यूरो 'Kendriya Janch Bureau'), is India's premier
investigating agency, responsible for a wide variety of criminal and national security matters. It was established on 1
April, 1963 and evolved from the Special Police Establishment founded in 1941.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is controlled by the Department of Personnel and Training in the Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension of the Union Government usually headed by a Union Minister who
reports directly to the Prime Minister. While analogous in structure to the FBI, the CBI's powers and function are
severely limited to specific crimes based on Acts (mainly the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946). The
CBI is the official Interpol unit for India.The current director of CBI is Ashwani Kumar (since August 02, 2008).
Central Bureau of Investigation 166
Introduction
The Central Bureau of Investigation traces its origin to the Special Police Establishment (SPE) (Hindi: विशेष पुलिस
संस्थापन Vishesh Police Sansthapan), which was set up in 1941 by the Government of India. The functions of the SPE
then were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with the War & Supply Deptt. Of India
during World War II. Superintendent of the SPE was vested with the War Department. Even after the end of the
War, the need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption by Central
Government employees was felt. The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act was therefore brought into force in
1946. This Act transferred the superintendence of the SPE to the Home Department and its functions were enlarged
to cover all departments of the Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of the SPE extended to all the Union Territories and
could be extended also to the States with the consent of the State Government concerned.
Founder Director
The founder director of the CBI was D.P. Kohli who held office
from 1 April 1963 to 31 May 1968. Before this, he was
Inspector-General of Police of the Special Police Establishment
from 1955 to 1963. Before that he held responsible positions in
police in Madhya Bharat, Uttar Pradesh and Govt. of India. He
was Police Chief in Madhya Bharat before joining the SPE. Kohli
was awarded 'Padma Bhushan' in 1967 for his distinguished
services.
It was therefore decided in 1987 to constitute two investigation divisions in the CBI, namely, Anti-Corruption
Division and Special Crimes Division, the latter dealing with cases of conventional crime, besides economic
offences. The CBI is a central subject under the Constitution of India, meaning that it reports to the Indian
Government and not to the individual states.
Central Bureau of Investigation 167
Structure of CBI
The CBI is headed by a Director. Director is selected based on the procedure laid down by CVC Act 2003 and has a
tenure of 2 years. The other important ranks in the CBI are Special Director, Additional Director, Joint Director,
Deputy Inspector General of Police,Sr. Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Additional
Superintendent of Police, Dy. Superintendent of Police, Inspector, Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Head
Constable and Constable.[1]
According to annual reports Staff of CBI is usually divided between Ministerial staff, Ex-cadre posts which are
usually of technical nature, Executive Staff and EDP Staff. Hindi Bhasha staff belongs to the Deptt of official
languages.
Ministerial Staff includes LDC, UDC, Crime Assistants etc. Executive Staff includes Constables, ASI,
Sub-Inspectors, Inspectors etc. EDP Staff includes Data Entry Operators, Data Processing Assistants, Assistant
Programmers, Programmers and SSA.
Inspector shall be deemed to be officers incharge of Police Stations of respective jurisdictions. The CBI can
investigate only such of the offences as are notified by the Central Government under the DSPE Act.
D P Kohli 1963–68
F. V. Arul 1968–71
D Sen 1971-77
R D Singh 1979-80
J S Bajwa 1980–85
M G Katre 1985-89
A P Mukherjee 1989–90
S K Datta 1992–93
K V R Rao 1993–96
J Singh 1996–97
R C Sharma 1997–98
T N Mishra 1998–99
R K Raghavan 1999–2001
P C Sharma 2001–2003
U S Misra 2003–2005
Central Bureau of Investigation 169
V S Mishra 2005–2008
A Kumar 2008-Present
Controversies
Normally, cases assigned to the CBI are sensitive and of national importance. It is a usual practice for the respective
state → police departments, to initially register any case coming under its jurisdiction, and if necessary, through
mediation by the central government, the cases may be transferred to the CBI. The CBI handles many high profile
cases, and is never far from controversy.
Bofors issue
In January 2006, it was found that CBI had quietly unfrozen bank accounts of Italian businessman Ottavio
Quattrocchi, one of the prime accused in the Bofors scandal of 1986 which had tainted the Rajiv Gandhi
government.[3] The Central Bureau of Investigation has been responsible for the inquiry into the Bofors Case.
Associates of the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi were linked to alleged pay-offs made in the mid-1980s by the
Swedish arms form AB Bofors, with $40 million in kickbacks moved from Britain and Panama to secret Swiss
banks. The $1,300 million arms purchase of 410 howitzer field guns involved in the sale were reported to be inferior
to those offered by a French competitor.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which defreezed Rs 21 crore stashed in a London bank in two accounts
held by Bofors scam accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and his wife Maria in 2006, has facilitated his travel across the
globe by asking Interpol to take him off the “wanted” list on 29 Apr 2009. Following a communication from the CBI,
the Interpol has withdrawn the Red Corner Notice against the Italian. The development that comes barely three
weeks before the end of the Manmohan Singh government’s tenure has brought back the issue of the Bofors scandal
to the centre stage.
Hawala scandal
In 1991 an arrest linked to militants in Kashmir led to a raid on hawala brokers, revealing evidence of large-scale
payments to national politicians. The prosecution that followed was partly prompted by a public interest petition (see
Vineet Narain), and yet the court cases of the Hawala scandal eventually all collapsed without convictions. The
CBI's role was again criticised. In concluding the Vineet Narain case, the Supreme Court of India directed that the
Central Vigilance Commission should be given a supervisory role over the CBI.[4]
Central Bureau of Investigation 170
Nithari Killings
The CBI was given the responsibility of investigating the murders of dozens of children in the Nithari village near
Noida, UP. This was after the local police was found to be incompetent and lethargic in their investigations. The
serial killings were in the Indian and international media for weeks since decomposing bodies were found outside the
house of the accused Moninder Singh.
Convictions
CBI has a high conviction rate.
Central Bureau of Investigation 171
Year Conviction
Rate
CBI Academy
CBI Academy at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, started functioning in 1996. The Academy is situated towards east
of Delhi, in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh[8] at a distance of around 40 km from New Delhi Railway Station
and about 65 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. It is spread over of 26.5 acres (107,000 m²) of lush
green fields and plantations with a covered area consisting of the Administrative, Academic, Hostel and Residential
Blocks. Prior to that a small Training Centre was functional at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi only for conducting
short term in-service courses. CBI then, was dependent on State Police Training Institutions and NPA, Hyderabad
for training basic courses of Dy.SsP, SIs and constables. The Academy now caters to the training needs of all ranks
of CBI. Training facilities for certain specialised courses are also made available to the officials of State Police,
Central Police Organisations (CPO), Vigilance organisations of public sector undertakings, banks and government
departments and Indian Armed Forces.
In popular media
The CBI film series is a set of Malayalam films directed by K. Madhu starring Mammootty as Sethurama Iyer, a
sharp and highly intelligent investigative officer of the CBI. Till 2005, four films were released in the series:Oru CBI
Diary Kurippu (1988, A CBI diary note) and Jagratha (1989, Caution), Sethuramayyar CBI (2004) and Nerariyan
CBI (2005, In pursuit of truth CBI).
The Recent CBI Series Film is Kandhaswamy (2009) in Tamil. The budget is around Rs 120 Cr. This film shows
how the CBI is cracking down Recovering Black Money which are deposited in Swiss Banks. But unlike the
malayalam CBI-film series, Kandhaswamy's story is not that realistic. In this movie the director of CBI supports
illegal ways of distributing black money acquired from the riches.
Further reading
The 24th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Working of CBI 2008[9]
External links
• Official site [10]
References
[1] CBI - Organisation Chart (http:/ / www. cbi. gov. in/ orgnchart/ orgchartnew. htm)
[2] http:/ / www. cbi. gov. in/ annualreport/ cbi_annual_report_2008. pdf
[3] Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - India (http:/ / www. globalsecurity. org/ intell/ world/ india/ cbi. htm)
[4] Vineet Narain Case, Directions of the Court accessed at (http:/ / cbi. nic. in/ Judgements/ dsc. htm) November 2, 2006
[5] " Sr Abhaya murder: CBI Lies in HC kerala (http:/ / mathrubhumi. com/ php/ newsFrm. php?news_id=1246582& n_type=HO&
category_id=1& Farc=& previous=Y)". mathrubhumi. .
[6] http:/ / www. manoramaonline. com/ cgi-in/ MMOnline. dll/ portal/ ep/ malayalamContentView. do?articleType=Malayalam+ Home&
contentId=4462968& tabId=0& contentType=EDITORIAL& BV_ID=@@@
[7] http:/ / www. cbi. gov. in/ annualreport/ cbi_annual_report_2007. pdf
[8] Welcome to CBI Academy School of eLearning (http:/ / www. cbiacademy. gov. in/ )
Central Bureau of Investigation 172
Indonesia
Country Indonesia
Brigade Mobil (English: Mobile Brigade) is one of the oldest Indonesian National Police special operations force
units.
History
Formed in late 1945, it was originally assigned the tasks of disarming remnants of the Japanese Imperial Army and
protecting the chief of state and the capital city. It fought in the revolution, and its troops took part in the military
confrontation with Malaysia in the early 1960s and in the conflict in East Timor in the mid-1970s. In 1981 the
Mobile Brigade spawned a new unit called the Explosive Ordnance Devices Unit.
Organisations
In 1992 the Mobile Brigade was essentially a paramilitary organization
trained and organized along military lines. It had a strength of about
12,000. The brigade was used primarily as an elite corps for
emergencies, aiding in police operations that required units to take
quick action.
The unit was employed in domestic security and defense operations
and was issued special riot-control equipment. They were trained to
deal with mass demonstrations. Since the May 1998 upheaval, PHH
(Pasukan Anti Huru-Hara, Anti Riot Unit) have received special
A BRIMOB vehicle
anti-riot training. Elements of the force were also trained for airborne
operations.
Brigade Mobil SOF 174
Branches
GEGANA
Gegana is the Indonesian Police special response unit. This unit was formed in 1976 as a detachment. Later in 1995,
with the expansion of Brimob, the Gegana Detachment was expanded to become 2nd Regiment BRIMOB. Its duties
are anti-terror, dealing with armed criminals, close protection, search and rescue (SAR), and explosive disposal
operations in urban settings. In general, each Gegana member is capable of performing these duties. However, there
are a select few who are very skilled in these special duties.
Gegana does not have Battalion or Company. The Regiment is broken down into several detachments. Within each
detachment they are split into sub-detachments (sub-den), and within each sub-den they are further sub-divided into
several units. Each unit usually consists of 10 personnel. One sub-den consists of 40 personnel, and one detachment
consists of about 280 personnel.
One operation is usually assigned to one unit. Therefore, from the 10 people in that unit, six are required to have
special skills: two for EOD (Explosives and Ordnance Disposal), two for SAR operations, and two for
counter-terrorist operations. In any operation, two experts are designated Operators One and Two while the rest of
the unit members become the Support Team.
For example, in counter-terrorist operations, the designated Operators must have sharp-shooting skills, ability to
negotiate, and be an expert in storm-and-arrest procedures. These skills and operations are not meant to be lethal
because the main goal of every Gegana operation is to arrest suspects and bring them to the court. Unless there is a
situation that Gegana has to do otherwise, there will be no shooting.
In SAR operation, the personnel are required to have the basic capabilities of diving, rappelling, shooting, and first
aid. In anti-bomb operation, the Operators have to be the expert in their respective fields. Each Gegana personnel has
been introduced to various types of bombs in general, including the risks of handling them. There are specific
procedures for handling each bomb, including the required timing.
Currently, Gegana has three Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tactical vehicles. This number is far from
sufficient because ideally each Gegana unit is supposed to have one. Other than three EOD vehicles at Gegana
offices, there is one EOD vehicle in West Java Police Department (PD), Central Java PD, and East Java PD. So,
overall there is only six EOD units available in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Police Chief has the highest command in each Gegana operation, executed by his Operation
Assistant.
Enternal links
• 51 Tahun Si Baret Biru [1]
• (English) February 1962 – Summer 1963: In to Action [2]
References
[1] http:/ / www. hamline. edu/ apakabar/ basisdata/ 1996/ 11/ 15/ 0034. html/
[2] http:/ / 64. 233. 179. 104/ search?q=cache:i5Z4nDleDzQJ:aga. nvg. org/ oppgaver/ chapter2. html+ mobrig& hl=en& gl=us& ct=clnk& cd=4/
175
Ireland
Duties
The Emergency Response Unit is responsible for
handling the following operations in service of
the Garda Síochána:[2] [3]
1. Armed response in anti-criminal/subversive
operations
2. Implementation of search techniques,
including use of forced entry
3. Execution of high-risk warrants
4. VIP Protection Garda Síochána Emergency Response Unit member in Dublin.
Origins
The ERU was formed as the Special Task Force in 1978, following a decision of Justice Ministers at the Ninth
Council of the EEC at Brussels in 1975.[2] The Special Task Force was based in Dublin and it formed part of the
Special Detective Unit in Harcourt Street. This unit was renamed the Emergency Response Unit in 1987.[3]
Most recently the ERU has been deployed to trouble spots in Dublin and Limerick to tackle gun crime. One incident
in the latter half of 2006 involved an ERU team pursuing armed suspects in Limerick after a shooting incident in the
city. The ERU stopped and arrested the suspects after a chase which the media reported reached speeds of 240km/h
near the village of Croom.[4]
Controversy
The Barr Tribunal's investigation into the shooting of John Carthy in Abbeylara in 2000 brought the ERU's existence
and role to public attention in recent years, and individual ERU members were criticised in the tribunal's report on
the incident.
Manpower
The membership of the ERU consists exclusively of serving officers in the Garda Síochána.[3] The ERU consists of
50 members as of October 2004.[5]
Emergency Response Unit (Garda) 176
Training
Training of the ERU is carried out in the Garda's Tactical Training Unit, established in 1983 under the authority of
the Garda college, Templemore. Members of the ERU have received training with the → FBI's Hostage Rescue
Team.[3] In addition, ERU officers have been trained abroad in Germany, the UK and the US.[2]
ERU officers are required to qualify three times per year in all firearms being used by the unit.[3] Training consists of
in-house tactical training on an ongoing basis from the ERU’s own firearms instructors and refresher range
practice.[3]
Primary
• Remington 870,[6] fitted with Reflex sights
• Uzi submachine gun[7]
• Heckler & Koch MP7[6]
• Steyr SSG 69[6]
• Heckler & Koch G3KA4
• Heckler & Koch 33[8]
Secondary
• Smith & Wesson 10 revolver
• Smith & Wesson Model 59[9]
• Sig Sauer P226[7]
Less Lethal
• Bean bag shot [10] [11]
• Pepper spray device [10] [11]
• Ferret Pepper spray shot[10] ERU members during counter-terrorist exercise
Equipment
• Ballistic shields
• Ballistic helmets and vests
• Diversionary devices (Stun Grenades etc.)
Operational Procedure
For the need of ERU operators in the city of Dublin, a request to the Detective Chief Superintendent of the Special
Detective Unit by the Divisional Officer would be made.[2] For operations in other parts of Ireland, the Divisional
Officer would make the request to the appropriate Assistant Commissioner.[2]
Emergency Response Unit (Garda) 177
See also
• John Carthy
• Irish Army Rangers
• CO19
References
[1] " The Crime & Security Branch (http:/ / www. garda. ie/ Controller. aspx?Page=40& Lang=1)". Garda Síochána. 2009. . Retrieved
2009-05-03.
[2] " EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT (E.R.U.) (http:/ / www. barrtribunal. ie/ OpenStatement. html#ERU)". . Retrieved 2009-05-04.
[3] " Rank and Structure in the Garda Sı´ocha´na and the Role of the Emergency Response Unit (http:/ / www. mulley. net/ BarrTribunalReport/
BarrTribunalReportChapter10. html)". . Retrieved 2009-05-03.
[4] " Limerick’s gang leaders recruit children for killing missions (http:/ / archives. tcm. ie/ irishexaminer/ 2006/ 11/ 07/ story17695. asp)". Irish
Examiner. November 7, 2006. . Retrieved 2008-07-21.
[5] Lally, Conor (October 20, 2004). " Plan to have fewer armed Gardaí (http:/ / www. irishtimes. com/ newspaper/ ireland/ 2004/ 1020/
1097847304618. html)". Irish Times. . Retrieved 2006-11-26.
[6] " Unofficial ERU Weapons Page (http:/ / www. freewebs. com/ gardaeru/ wepons. htm)". 2007. . Retrieved 2009-09-22.
[7] " The Aftermath — Post-Mortem, Forensic and Ballistic Examination (http:/ / www. mulley. net/ BarrTribunalReport/
BarrTribunalReportChapter7. html)". . Retrieved 2009-05-03.
[8] " THE EXIT OF JOHN CARTHY FROM THE HOUSE (http:/ / www. barrtribunal. ie/ OpenStatement. html#Exitl)". . Retrieved
2009-05-03.
[9] " Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defense and Women's Rights on Abbeylara Shooting, Page 1 (http:/ / www. irlgov. ie/
committees-00/ c-justice/ Reports/ abbeylara/ page1. htm)". Oireachtas. . Retrieved 2009-05-04.
[10] " Garda Use of Less Lethal Weapons (http:/ / www. justice. ie/ en/ JELR/ Pages/ PR07000911)". Department of Justice, Equality and Law
Reform. 2006-07-20. . Retrieved 2009-05-03.
[11] " Less-Lethal Weapons (http:/ / www. justice. ie/ en/ JELR/ Pages/ Other_Garda_equipment)". Department of Justice, Equality and Law
Reform. . Retrieved 2009-05-04.
[12] " ERU authorised to use TASER type devices (http:/ / www. justice. ie/ en/ JELR/ Pages/ PR07000210)". Department of Justice, Equality
and Law Reform. 2007-04-03. . Retrieved 2009-05-03.
178
Israel
YAMAM
The Yamam (Hebrew: ימ"מ), is the acronym for Special Police Unit
(יחידת משטרה מיוחדת, Yeḥidat Mishtara Meyuḥedet), Israel's elite civilian
counter-terrorism unit. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue
operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas.
Besides military duties, it also performs → SWAT duties and undercover
police work.
of which recruits are selected for their specialization and then concentrate for the remaining four months on that
specialization. Upon graduation, individuals are posted to fill gaps in the sections. Yamam considers that it has
several advantages over the IDF counter-terror units, first, because the men are more mature, most in their mid 30's
and early 40's, and spend much longer in the unit than the equivalent military units, and, second, because the units
contain a far broader range of ages and experience.
The Yamam is self-dependent, training its own operators in all fields, such as sniping, reconnaissance, dog operating,
bomb disposal, etc. As a result, the Yamam has a rapid deployment time and high coordination between various
squads (sniping squad, entry team, engagement force, etc.).
The Yamam's primary duties are:
1. Hostage rescue.
2. Offensive or preemptive operations.Direct action
3. → SWAT duties - handling dangerous criminals. Arrests/Kidnaping
4. Undercover police operations.
5. VIP security.
Most of the Yamam's activity is classified, and published Yamam operations are often credited to other units.
Nevertheless, the Yamam enjoys a high reputation among SF professionals and the Israeli public.
History
The Yamam was established after the Ma'alot massacre, where a failed operation by military special forces units
ended with 21 children murdered before the hostage takers were killed. Since hostage rescue in friendly territory is
different from that in hostile areas, it was decided to establish an elite civilian force, which develops and practices a
special CQB (Close Quarters Battles) doctrine for "counter-terrorism" operations in friendly territory and hostage
rescue. In late 1974, the Yamam was established and has since fallen under the direct jurisdiction of the Israel Border
Police — the combat arm of the Israel Police.
Equipment
• Glock-17 Pistol
• Glock-18c SMG
• Glock-19 Pistol
• Glock-26 back-up weapon
• Tavor TAR-21 Assault Rifle in all versions
• Para Micro-Uzi
• M4 carbine
• Remington 870 Combat Shotgun
• M24 Sniper Weapon System
See also
• Israeli Special Forces:
• Sayeret
• Sayeret Matkal
• Shayetet 13
• Israeli security forces:
• Israel Border Police
• Israeli police
• Israeli Defence Forces
• Shin Bet
• Similar foreign counter terrorism units:
• List of Special Response Units
[2]
References
[1] http:/ / www. isayeret. com/ content/ operations/ taibeh. htm
[2] The Illustrated Directory of Special Forces By Ray Bonds
Yasam 181
Yasam
The Yasam (Hebrew: יס"מ) is the Israel Police Special Patrol Unit
(Hebrew: יחידת סיור מיוחדת Yehidat Siyur Meyuhedet), a police
unit dedicated to continuous security, riot and crowd control and other
special operations.
The Yasam were heavily involved in the Israeli disengagement of
August 2005 and Amona evacuation, and have been under widespread
criticism for these and other operations.
External links
• Yasam at the Israel Police website [1] (Hebrew)
Geographical coordinates: 27°22′N 86°17′E
References
[1] http:/ / www. police. gov. il/ districtmain. asp?path=/ web_jerusalem/ agam. xml#3
182
Italy
Country Italy
Commanders
The Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza (Central Security Operations Service, NOCS) is a special operations
division of the Italian police.
Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza 183
History
In 1974 the Chief of the Polizia di Stato Anti-Terrorism
Bureau, Emilio Santillo, announced the necessity to
establish a tactical unit with the capability to arrest
known terrorists and to support the local
counter-terrorism field office. Personnel were selected
from Police Sports Group "Gold Flames", particularly
trained in martial arts. The 35-man team was
denominated "counter-commando unit" and
commanded by Maj. Andrea Sgandurra, an officer with
counter-insurgency experiences, and a skilled
proponent of hand-to-hand combat skills. After one
year of training (offensive driving, sniping, various
Photo of Army Parade in Rome, 2 june 2006, Republic Day. NOCS shooting skills, and a Tactical Assault Course) in 1975
special groups
the unit became operational and immediately started
mission against the left wing terrorist organization
NAP (Proletarian Armed Service). Later they operated against the right wing group "New Order", which resulted in
the arrests of well-known terrorists Gentile Schiavone and Pierluigi Concutelli. In 1978, the Italian government
decided to modify the structure of the Anti-Terrorist Bureau to improve its capabilities. This change resulted in the
formation of SISMI (military intelligence), SISDE (civilian intelligence) and a → police counter-terrorism agency
(UCIGOS, General Investigations and Special Operations Central Office). This office was the only responsible for
Italian counter-terrorism. The UCIGOS's tactical unit became the NOCS (Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza,
Central Security Operations Service), the old counter-commando unit with far more operatives, training, and
responsibilities. During its 22 years of existence, NOCS has effected more than 4,500 missions and 205 arrests. The
25-42 operatives studied terrorist methodology and created innovative tactics procedures. Their motto is Sicut Nox
Silentes (as silent as night).
In 1982 under the tactical command of Capt. Edoardo a 12-man section, without firing a single shot, freed Brigadier
General James Dozier, who had been held hostage by Red Brigades terrorists. In the following years NOCS
expanded in size and capabilities and under new command, then Maj. Maurizio Genolini, became a full fledged
counter-terrorism unit, with capabilities of operations on aircraft, trains, buses, embassies, and stadium areas and
established good relations with several counter-terrorism units in the western world.
Recently, NOCS has undergone another change and become the Anti-Terrorism Special Operations Division. The
unit improved capabilities in C3I and a computer and video section was added. NOCS was innovative regarding the
incorporation of computers in training formalizing this with the addition of a separate video section. NOCS also
expanded its training in VIP protection and driving, augmented by training with the well-established → United States
Secret Service. This relationship sparked the creation of a unit similar in form and function to → USSS
counter-terrorism teams as well. It should be noted that while VIP protection is not a main mission for NOCS, but
they are responsible for this duty when high risk personalities come to Italy.
Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza 184
Equipment
• HK MP5
• Bernardelli VB-SR (an italian adaptation of the Galil SAR)
• Franchi SPAS-12
• HK PSG-1
• Glock-17
• Glock-19
External links
• (Italian) Official website [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. poliziadistato. it/ pds/ chisiamo/ territorio/ reparti/ nocs/
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale 185
Country Italy
Branch Carabinieri
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS, in English "Special Intervention Group") is a counterterrorism asset inside the
Italian Carabinieri military police, first formed in 1978. In 2004 the GIS evolved into a special forces unit. They are
the premier force called on from NATO for counterterrorism.
The unit has taken part in counterterrorism operations and VIP protection details in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Equipment
• Beretta M92-FS, standard handgun
• Glock 17 and 19
• Smith & Wesson Model 28 .357 Magnum revolver (for backup in VIP Protection duties)
• Benelli M1 Super 90
• Benelli M3 - replaced the older Franchi SPAS-12, Franchi PA-3, Franchi PA-7/PA-8 series and Beretta M3P
shotguns
• Benelli M4 Super 90 - replaced the Franchi SPAS-15, deemed "unsatisfactory" as its detachable box magazine
made it too bulky and compromised maneuverability
• Beretta PM-12 series submachineguns, still in arsenal yet mostly superseded
• Heckler & Koch MP5, the most common weapon to equip GIS operators
• FN P90 (in limited quantities)
• Steyr TMP (employed for VIP Protection duties)
• Heckler & Koch MP7 (in limited quantities, most probably tested to supersede the Steyr TMP)
• Beretta 70/90 Weapons system
• Steyr AUG - adopted for ease of use from vehicles and helicopters, now mostly superseded
• Bushmaster M4 carbine - procured in limited quantities jointly with the "Tuscania" Regiment to supersede the
Steyr AUG
• Heckler&Koch HK-53 - mostly superseded (last seen fielded during Operation Ancient Babylon, sometimes
paired with the British-made Istec ISL-201 40 mm undercarried grenade launcher)
• Heckler&Koch G-36 family of weapons (in limited quantities)
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale 186
• M203 grenade launcher, either under-carried or in Stand-alone configurations - interface/mounting system for
weapons, as well as some parts (most notably the receiver) manufactured in Italy by PMAL (Polo di
Mantenimento delle Armi Leggere, Italian Army arsenal) in Terni
• Heckler & Koch PSG1
• Mauser 86-SR
• Barrett M82 - procured in limited quantities jointly with the "Tuscania" Regiment
The wide array of missions and duties tasked to the GIS, its military status and its growing participation in
international peacekeeping/peace enforcing operations, allow the unit a high degree of autonomy in selection and
procurement of weapons and equipments, unmatched by most law enforcement Special units. Some of the weapons
recently tested by the GIS for adoption include the Beretta Cx4 Storm and Rx4 Storm semi-automatic carbines (both
dismissed), the FN Mk-16 SCAR-L and possibly the IWI Tavor, although this remains unconfirmed.
187
Japan
Country Japan
Branch National Police Agency
Garrison/HQ Tokyo (Most SAT operatives) at the Metropolitan Police HQ, others at Osaka, Hokkaidō, Chiba, Kanagawa,
Aichi, Fukuoka and Okinawa
Commanders
Current Classified
commander
Notable Classified
commanders
Insignia
The Special Assault Team (特殊急襲部隊 Tokushu Kyūshū Butai) is the official civilian counter-terrorist unit
under the Japanese National Police Agency. Like the → GSG 9, the KSK and the SAS, most information on the unit
has been confidential, its existence officially revealed only in 1996.
The military counterpart of the SAT is the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Japanese Special Operations
Group.
Special Assault Team 188
History
Pre-SAT
The roots of the Special Assault Team can be traced back to September 28, 1977 when Tōkyō and Ōsaka began to
train Special Armed Police (SAP) units as an armed response to criminal incidents involving firearms, especially
after the Dhaka Incident.[1] After its establishment, the unit had its first known incident on January 26, 1979 when
the SAP's Osaka branch were deployed during a Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident in Osaka. In the incident, they
shot dead Akiyoshi Umekawa after he gunned down two employees and two policemen. It was the first shooting
incident in Japan involving armed police officers. In 1992, the SAP was dispatched to Machida city to resolve an
armed criminal incident.
SAT establishment
On June 21, 1995, All Nippon Airways Flight 857 was hijacked at the Hakodate Airport in Hokkaido by a lone
hijacker named Fumio Kutsumi (九津見 文雄).[2] This incident marked the first time that the Japanese Air
Self-Defense Forces cooperated with the SAP by providing Kawasaki C-1 aircraft as means of transportation from
Haneda Airport. The plane was stormed by SAP officers and the hijacker was arrested and subdued, with assistance
from the Hokkaido Police's Riot Squad.[3] The incident had made National Police Agency (NPA) officials work for
the establishment of the Special Assault Team. On the same year, SAP units were dispatched to Yamanashi
Prefecture.
The attempted hijacking marked the need for a specialized counter-terrorist team that would operate under the
auspices of the National Police Agency.
On April 1, 1996, the Special Assault Team (SAT) was established after a year's training with the → GSG 9,[4]
GIGN [5] and the British SAS.[4]
During the Japanese embassy hostage crisis in Peru, the SAT had simulated raids on retaking buildings similar to the
Japanese Embassy as a possible counter-measure to a similar incident in Japanese soil.[3]
In June 1997, the SAT was involved in its first anti-hijacking case when it stormed a bus and captured a hijacker
alive.
On June 11, 1999, a lone man armed with a hunting rifle stormed the Keiyo Bank in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture.
The SAT's Chiba unit was deployed to resolve the incident, but the hostage was released and the man was arrested
by police through negotiations. The incident then forced Chiba Police to create the Attack Rescue Team, which
would take responsibility for the SAT in low level criminal incidents. The unit has similar responsibilities to the
Tokyo Metropolitan Police's SIT (Special Investigation Team) and the Osaka Police's MAAT (Martial Arts Attack
Team).
Post-SAT
The SAT became known in Japanese media again when its Fukuoka branch took part in recapturing a hijacked bus in
Fukuoka in the Neomugicha incident in 2000, capturing the lone hijacker alive.[6] The hijacking event showcased the
SAT's dedication to protect the public with their counter-terrorist skills in subduing felons such as criminals and
terrorists with as little force as possible.
In September 2003, the SAT's Aichi unit was deployed to resolve a hostage incident. However, the hostage-taker
Noboru Beppu (別府 昇) committed suicide in an explosion which killed three and injured 41 others.[7]
Recent moves by NPA officials lead to an increase in manpower. In 2005, NPA officials increased the SAT's
manpower from 200 to 250 operators. Another increase followed in 2006 when they increased the unit's manpower
from 250 to 300 operators. The unit has also been featured recently in various Japanese TV documentaries.
Special Assault Team 189
In April 2007, the SAT's Tokyo branch had been involved in capturing Yuji Takeshita (竹下 祐司), a known yakuza
wanted for gunning down another gangster and attempting to wound/kill police officers when squad cars had arrived
near his apartment.[8] In May 2007 in another incident in Nagoya, an ex-yakuza gangster named Hisato Obayashi
(大林 久人) was captured by SAT officers based from the Aichi Prefecture after he killed Kazuho Hayashi (林 一歩),
an SAT operative with the rank of Sergeant. Posthumously promoted to Captain, he is the first in the SAT to die in
the line of duty.[9] His death has forced National Public Safety Commission Chairman Kensei Mizote to issue a press
report, stating that SAT gear will be checked to see if it was responsible for Hayashi's unfortunate death.[10]
Organization
Locations
The Tokyo branch, formerly called "Special Operations Company" (特科中隊), is under 6th Mobile Unit, Security
Department of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁警備部第六機動隊). In Osaka Prefecture, it was
created under the 2nd Mobile Unit (第二機動隊) and was unofficially called the "Zero Company" (零中隊). Today,
the official name of SAT in Japanese is simply "特殊部隊" or "Special Forces."
Currently other branches exist in the prefectural Police departments of Hokkaidō, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, Fukuoka
and Okinawa. Nationwide SAT maintains about 300 personnel.[10]
SAT operators conduct routine training in their own kill-house at certain prefectures in the Kantō region. The SAT
has also conduct joint training with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in order to maintain their state of readiness.
For instance, SAT personnel have been tutored by the 1st Airborne Brigade on insertion techniques.[3]
Structure
Each SAT division consists of a subduing group, the sniping group, the technical support group and the command
section.[11]
The subduing group leads the operation and the sniping group takes charge of sniping and reconnaissance. The
technical support group is in charge of electronic equipment such as microphones and cameras. The command
section is responsible for tactical planning.[11] [12]
Miscellaneous
• Upon recruitment to the SAT, the officer's name is deleted from the roster of active police officers; this is done
similarly to the British SAS and → GSG 9 so as to protect them from being attacked by criminals, extremist and
terrorist groups, as well as being prosecuted.[3]
• SAT operators have recently entered joint training with the FBI SWAT teams on CQC tactics.[3]
Equipment
Weapons
Assault Rifles
• M4 Carbine (Used for CQC only)
• Howa Type 89[13]
Special Assault Team 190
Submachine Guns
• Heckler & Koch MP5: The following models are used by the SAT.[4]
• MP5A4
• MP5A5
• MP5SD4
• MP5SD6
• MP5-J[14]
Shotguns
• Unknown, but known shotguns in possession include Mossberg and Remington-type shotguns
Sniper Rifles
• Heckler & Koch PSG1
• Howa Type 64 Rifles modified for sniping use[15]
• Remington 700
• Howa M1500
• Howa Golden Bear
Handguns/Revolvers
• Glock 19
• Heckler & Koch P9
• Heckler & Koch USP 9
• Nambu Model 60
• Sig Sauer P226
• Sig Sauer P228
• Smith and Wesson M3913 (Rumored to be in use by the Hokkaido SAT unit)
Support Items
• Ballistic Helmet with faceshield
• Ballistic Shield
• Flashbang
• Night Vision Goggles
• SAT Assault Vehicle with platform for sniping use
Ranks
The following ranks are observed in the SAT:
• Commander = Inspector - Keibu (警部)
• Team Captain = Assistant Inspector - Keibuho (警部補)
• Squad Leader = Sergeant - Junsabucho (巡査部長)
Tokyo
• The SAT Tokyo unit is responsible for the Haneda Airport and other facilities such as the Imperial Palace, the
Prime Minister's residence or Kantei and the National Diet Building. The unit is also in charge of resolving
Special Assault Team 191
Osaka
• The SAT Osaka unit takes charge of the Kansai Airport and the Osaka Airport.
Hokkaido
• Included in the SAT Hokkaido unit's AOR is the New Chitose Airport and the Hakodate Airport
Chiba
• The Narita International Airport is the responsibility of the SAT Chiba unit.
Kanagawa
• Kanagawa's SAT unit takes charge of securing the US Navy's 7th Fleet headquarters.
Aichi
• Aichi's SAT unit is responsible for the Chubu Centrair International Airport.
Fukuoka
• Security for the Fukuoka Airport and the various foreign consulates are left to the Fukuouka SAT unit.
Okinawa
• Various US Military installations, such as the Naha Military Port, and the Naha Airport are left to the
responsibility of the Okinawa SAT unit. This was the latest SAT unit to be established on September 10, 2005.[12]
In Popular Culture
The SAT has been portrayed in various manga/anime, movies, television shows and even in video/computer games
as protagonists or allies assisting protagonist characters. However, the following involve the SAT in significant
ways:
• The SAT team comes out Room of King when the culprit goes into the Prada shop and tries to steal things to get
money but the SAT team and the sings with the non-related negotiator
• The SAT team comes out in 20th century boys
• The SAT team comes out in Unfair the movie, when the terrorists are in the hospital and the people are all out.
But then the captain falls into the trap and all of the A team die.
• The SAT team goes into training in Bayside Shakedown 2 when the sergeant of the local police wins against SAT
• The SAT, in First President of Japan, is shown as a scapegoat of political negligence in areas of the Japanese
government when numerous casualties were inflicted on them by ex-North Korean commandos due to failure to
warn SAT forces on the security upgrades placed on the Mihama nuclear power plant.[16]
• Seen in the early stages of Deleted Scenes in Counter-Strike: Condition Zero in the Japan stage. They are called
Kidoutai, though this may be an error on the part of the developers. However, SAT operatives do wear Kidoutai
uniform to avoid attracting attentions on occasions. This was later omitted in the final version, though it could still
be accessed.
• One of the characters in Police 911 2 is a SAT operative armed with a Heckler and Koch MP5K Submachine gun,
as a part of a joint investigation team consisting of Japanese and American authorities.
• Players play as SAT operatives in the Lethal Enforcers 3/Seigi no Hero (Diet Building) stage of Lethal Enforcers
3/Seigi no Hero battling against a mutinous JGSDF regiment.
Special Assault Team 192
• In the anime Elfen Lied, SAT forces are used to track down and capture Lucy/Nyu as the response of the Japanese
government over their disappearance, being portrayed as antagonists. Bandou is one of the fictional members of
the SAT.
• In Pokémon, the SAT has been featured in two instances:
1. SAT forces try to track down the Terrorists who attack the Rayquaza Tournament
2. The MRT (Mewtwo Response Team) are created to deal with Mewtwo threats. Their equipment and weapons
look similar to the real-life GSG 9 and the SAT.
• In the five-volume anime series The Analog Complex, SAT forces work with Vector 18 operatives to retake a
Japanese military base taken over by terrorists from Azerbaijan.
• A fictional police anti-terrorist unit based on the SAT is featured in the Playstation 2 game, Simple 2000 Series
Vol. 108: The Nippon Tokushubutai (Japan Special Forces).
• A subplot of You're Under Arrest's 2nd Season involves conflict between Miyuki and Natsumi due to the latter's
selection by Special Assault Team officials.
• In Densha Otoko, SAT forces were trying to retake a convenient store while Densha Otoko was trying to get a
cell phone charger.
• In Counter-Strike Online, players can select SAT operatives as their skin when playing as counter-terrorists
though the SAT skin itself requires real cash to be played with.
• SAT troops have also been seen in the manga series Akumetsu, where they attempt to kill the Akumetsu clones in
several occasions though never quite succeed.
External links
• Special Operations link [17] (English)
• SpecWarNet link [18] (English)
• Unofficial SAT page [19] (Japanese)
• Unofficial SAT bio [20] (Japanese)
• Unofficial SAT information page [21] (Japanese)
• You Tube Training Video [22]
• You Tube Demo Video [23]
References
[1] " Special Operations.com's Japan Page (http:/ / specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Japan/ )". . Retrieved 2008-06-18.
[2] Archive copy (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20031204122843/ http:/ / insite-tokyo. com/ column/ itaru/ index. html) at the Internet Archive
[3] Archive copy (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20060202053018/ http:/ / www5f. biglobe. ne. jp/ ~sbu/ DATABASE-JAPAN-SAT. htm) at
the Internet Archive
[4] " The new Tokyo Marui AEG: MP5 Japanese Police/Military Version (http:/ / www. renegaderecon. com/ recon_details. php?id=138)".
2004-05-13. . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
[5] " Specwarnet's Special Assault Team Page (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ oceana/ sat. htm)". . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
[6] " Riot police end hijack drama (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 735318. stm)". BBC. 2000-05-03. . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
[7] " Three killed, 41 injured in Japan when office worker takes hostages (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_qn4188/ is_20030916/
ai_n11410898)". 2003-09-16. . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
[8] " Police storm Machida apartment after gangster shoots himself (http:/ / www. japantoday. com/ jp/ news/ 404460)". The Japan Times. .
Retrieved 2007-04-22.
[9] " Aichi standoff ends after shooter gives himself up (http:/ / www. japantoday. com/ jp/ news/ 407042)". The Japan Times. . Retrieved
2007-05-19.
[10] " Security chief pledges to reexamine special assault gear after officer's death (http:/ / www. japantoday. com/ jp/ news/ 407041/ all)". The
Japan Times. . Retrieved 2007-06-18.
[11] Archive copy (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20060202053018/ http:/ / www5f. biglobe. ne. jp/ ~sbu/ DATABASE-JAPAN-SAT. htm) at
the Internet Archive
[12] " Okinawa police form assault team for response to terrorism (http:/ / www. estripes. com/ article. asp?section=104& article=30665&
archive=true)". Stars and Stripes. 2005-09-10. . Retrieved 2009-01-26.
Special Assault Team 193
[13] Though it is said that the SAT has possessed a quantity of these rifles, they are not known to be used in any of the SAT's operations
[14] MP5-J. (http:/ / www. tokyo-marui. co. jp/ products/ 01/ 01_mp5j/ index. html) Retrieved on April 2, 2008. (Japanese)
[15] " SAT (http:/ / policeenter-blog. 269g. net/ article/ 3360440. html)" (in Japanese). . Retrieved 2009-01-25.
[16] First President of Japan: Volume 3. Page 126-127
[17] http:/ / specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Japan/
[18] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ oceana/ sat. htm
[19] http:/ / www5f. biglobe. ne. jp/ ~sbu/ DATABASE-JAPAN-SAT. htm
[20] http:/ / www. kiui. ac. jp/ ~yamatosh/ students/ syun/ SAT. htm
[21] http:/ / hanran. tripod. com/ terro/ c-sat. html
[22] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=UBLZ4LlEz4g
[23] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=m47sfQcgSyk
194
Latvia
Structure
The Special Tasks Unit consists of trained professional soldiers who
SUV official seal
are specialized in certain areas, e.g. airborne troops, combat divers,
snipers, dog handlers and other.
Mission
The unit is developed in a way, which allows it to provide assistance to state
security and law-enforcement institutions in counter-terrorist operations and
perform special tasks within the entire range of military operations: defense,
attack and detention operations, airborne, sea landing and underwater
operations, operations in a special environment (built-up territories, forests,
limited visibility conditions, mountains,arctic and cold weather conditions,
deserts and hot weather conditions), as well as search and rescue operations in
collaboration with the Naval and Air Forces.
Equipment
The Special Tasks Unit's equipment and weaponry includes the Heckler & Koch MP5, Heckler & Koch G36, Steyr
AUG, Glock 17, M249 SAW, L96A1 and many other weapons.
References
• Latvian Ministry of Defense site [1]
References
[1] http:/ / old. mod. gov. lv/
OMEGA
OMEGA is the premier counter-terrorism unit of Latvia. Founded in
1992, OMEGA cooperates with many other counter-terrorism units
over the world. Its equipment and weaponry includes the Heckler &
Koch MP5, the HK G36C and the Walther P99.
Malaysia
Country Malaysia
Size ~2,000
Commanders
Commandant Senior Assistant Commissioner II Dato' Muhammad Fuad bin Abu Zarin
Insignia
PGK Chief Instructor Airborne Wing
The Pasukan Gerakan Khas PDRM (Abbreviation: PGK; English: Police Special Operations Force; PSOF) is an
elite counter-terrorism and special operations tactical unit of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). The PGK has two
distinct subdivisions; VAT 69 (Very Able Trooper-69; Komando 69) and the Special Actions Unit (Malay: Unit
Tindakan Khas; UTK).
The PGK is capable of dealing with a wide range of special operations from counter-terrorism operations to rescue
operations. The actual size and organisation of the Directorate is classified. Tasked with enforcing Malaysian law
through sea, air and land operations, the PGK is a vital component of the RMP.
Identities
Maroon berets
A symbol of Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment A or Special Actions Unit (UTK).
Sand coloured berets
A symbol of Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment B or 69th Commando Battalion (VAT 69).
Trimedia Parachute Wings
The recognized symbol of the PGK. It also identifies the abilities of parachutist, airborne unit and air assault
operations.
Functions
Current PGK roles are believed to include:
• Intelligence collection in deep reconnaissance missions and warfare.
• Special operations to support the RMP Special Branch in combating subversive organizations or terrorist
activities.
• Counter Terrorism operations inside Malaysian territory in conjunction with armed forces.
• Law enforcement operations in dealing with armed criminals inside Malaysian territory.
• Counter terrorism operations outside Malaysian territory; including Operation Astute in Timor Leste.
• Search and rescue operations inside or outside Malaysian territory, such as aid operations in the aftermath of the
2006 tsunami in Acheh, Indonesia.
• Protection of senior Malaysian dignitaries, ministers and VIPs.
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 198
Organization
Previously separate entities, both the VAT 69 and the UTK
were amalgamated into the PGK on October 20, 1997, when it
was launched by the 5th Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri
Rahim Noor. However, the VAT 69 and the UTK are still
operationing as separate units. The UTK is now officially
known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment A and VAT
69 has been deputized to Pasukan Gerakan Khas
Detachment B.
With the growing threat of terrorism since the September 11th attacks, this unit has increasingly adapted itself to
conduct counter-terrorism duties.[1] With the aim of creating teams that are capable of dealing with a broad range of
operations (especially counter-terrorism operations), the PGK small patrol team consist of six to ten operatives led
by officers ranked from Police Inspector to Superintendent of Police with different expertise such as an attack units,
snipers, EOD experts, communications experts and field medics. The PGK has also forged closer relations with the
special forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces, including the 10 Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAL
and PASKAU, so as to enable them to more effectively enforce security within Malaysia's borders.
Roles
The UTK is primarily a → SWAT-style unit but with a difference;
UTK operatives operate mostly in plain-clothes and also perform
undercover missions. It has approximately 300 members. The unit
operates to execute special security services such as anti-terrorism
and counter-terrorism in Malaysian urban area, supporting the
police on missions such as dealing with armed criminals, and
escorting and protecting top leaders and VVIPs.[2] VAT 69
operatives however are jungle warfare specialists given the VAT
69's origins as a force established to fight the communist threat in
1969 and the insurgency years. Originally trained by the SAS,
PGK operators practice storming a ship during a PGK
VAT 69 conducts in land, sea and air special operation techniques exercise.
with specialty in jungle warfare and deep reconnaissance missions,
VAT 69 mission is to execute special operation in support of
Police's Special Branch fight against subversive organization and terrorist activities, offensive operations using
special weapons and tactics, anti-terrorism, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, close protection and supporting the
Malaysian Armed Forces special forces, RDF or infantry force in any security measures. Currently there are four
infantry squadrons in VAT 69 with its own logistic unit, totaling around 1900 members.
PGK snipers, technicians and explosive experts regularly cross-train with foreign special forces including the Special
Air Service Regiments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the Royal Thai Border Patrol Police and
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 199
a number of US services including the US Navy SEALs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Special Weapons
and Tactics (SWAT) and others. UTK members wear maroon berets while VAT 69 members wear the sand coloured
beret given to them by their founding trainers, the 22nd SAS.
In November 14, 2006, for the first time in the history of PGK, the maroon and sand coloured berets were honoured
as Royal Berets by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of
Malaysia.
Weaponry/Equipment
As a special forces unit, the PGK is equipped with a wide array of high class weapons and support equipment
commonly associated with counter-terrorism operations. Here is a list of firearms and support equipment used by
PGK officers:[3]
Firearms
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 201
Firearms Data
Colt M1911A1 Benelli M3 Super HK MP5A5 Colt M4A1 SOPMOD AI-AWM (Magnum) FN Minimi M79
90
Glock 17 Franchi SPAS-12 HK MP5-N HK 416 Commando AI-PM / L96A1 M60E2 Colt M203
Glock 26 Remington 1100 HK MP5SD6 Steyr AUG A2VAT69 only Remington M700
Glock 34 HK MP7A1-PDW
HK UMP 9²
HK Mark 23 Mod 01
HK USP Compact
HK USP Tactical
STI Grandmaster
STI Tactical-5.0
Notes
1
Heckler & Koch Mark 23 .45 pistols have been acquired as side arms for elite PGK to replace the Colt M1911A1,
but only a minority of this unit uses it. The majority of the officers use various 9 mm pistols. However the Mark 23 is
a good choice, especially when used in CQC scenarios as they have the very high stopping power needed for such
operations.
² This lot of Heckler & Koch UMP9 submachineguns are used by the Crisis Response Team of all the branches of the
RMP (other than PGK) in dealing with other crisis involving terrorism and serious crimes. The Heckler & Koch
MP5 is a popular sub-machine gun used by special force teams include the PGKs.
Support Equipment
High Explosive Grenades Flashbang Tear Gas Grenades Ballistic Shields Night Vision Trijicon's ACOG 4x
Goggles
T - Baton Police Flexi Taser X26 SF-10 Gas Mask Pepper Spray Telescopic Sight
Cuffs
Fiber Optic Camera Surefire Battering Rams Tactical Bulletproof C-4 Explosives Rangefinder Camera
Vest
Assault Ladders Binocular SPECTRA Helmet Thermal Weapon Sight Aimpoint CompM2 Aimpoint CompM4
First Aid Kit Hiatts Speedcuffs EO Tech Holosights Bean Bag Shells1 EOD Tools AN/PEQ-6
Notes
1
The Bean Bag shell is typically fired from a shotgun, and is used by police and military forces, mainly in the United
States to disperse the type of riot which is not able to be controlled with tear gas weapon. When fired, the bean bag
(or BB) made from rubber and plastic is expelled at around 70-90 meters/second; it spreads out in flight and
distributes its impact over about 6 centimeters² of the target. It is designed to deliver a blow that will cause minimum
long-term trauma and no penetration but will result in a muscle spasm or other reaction to briefly render a violent
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 202
suspect immobile.
Tactical Vehicles
As a special operations unit, the PGK employs a number of
specialized vehicles to accomplish its missions. These include the
Commando V-150D and the GKN Sankey AT105 armored
personnel carriers[3] equipped with M60s as assault vehicles in urban
and jungle terrain as well as modified police MPV (Mobile Patrol
Vehicles), vans, trucks, 4WD and buses for use as tactical vehicles.
PGK also employs RHIB assault boats,[3] jet-skis and Marine
Subskimmer (DPV) in maritime missions and amphibious insertions.
For its airborne operations, PGK utilises the C-130 Hercules, Cessna
PGK operators using a Ford Explorer Sport Trac
206G, Cessna 208 Caravan 1 and Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft as well
type as a Rapid Intervention Vehicle for vehicular
as the E-Squirrel AS-355 F2/AS-355N helicopter. assault.
Assistant Commissioner of Police G/3740 A Navaratnam 1983 - First commanding officer and head of VAT 69
1986
Deputy Superintendent of Police G/5439 Meor Chek 1986 - Assistant commanding officer of the PGK
Hussein Mahayuddin 1987
Senior Assistant Commissioner I G/5439 Dato' Meor Chek 1993 - 1997 Merged VAT 69 and UTK to Pasukan Gerakan Khas
Hussien Mahayuddin 2000
Senior Assistant Commissioner II Roslan Mohd Yassin 2002-2004 PGK Commander from 2002 and transferred to Pahang state as the
Officer Chief of Police Contingent in 2004
Senior Assistant Commissioner II Mohd Rani Abd Rashid 2004-2006 led from Deputy Director of Internal and Public Security in Royal
Malaysian Police
Senior Assistant Commissioner II Muhammad Sabtu 2006- 2008 Transferred to Kuala Lumpur as Kuala Lumpur Police State Chief
Osman
Senior Assistant Commissioner I Dato' Muhammad Fuad 2008- Now Replaced SAC II Muhammad Sabtu Osman
Abu Zarin
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 204
Johor Perak
Melaka Pahang
Selangor Penang
Kelantan
Terengganu
Missions
Its first counter-terrorism mission, which is one of the most
well-known and which established the unit's reputation as an elite
unit, was an operation known as "Operasi Subuh" (Operations
Dawn). It was carried out on 3 July 2000 against Al-Ma'unah
terrorists who had stolen 94 M16 rifles, 2 Steyr AUG rifles, 4
General Purpose Machineguns (GPMG), 6 Light Machineguns
(LMG), 5 M203 grenade launchers, 26 bayonet daggers and
thousands of ammunition rounds from 2 control posts of the
Rejimen Askar Wataniah (Territorial Army Regiment) camp in
Kuala Rui, Perak and captured 2 police officers, one army special
Two operatives of PGK including one female operator
armed with MP5-N submachineguns during the CQC
forces soldier and one villager as hostages and planned to commit
drill. treason against a democratically elected government.[5]
Ariffin, were sentenced by the High Court to ten years in jail each after pleading guilty to an alternative charge under
Section 122 for preparing to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after they pleaded guilty to the lesser
charge.[7] [8]
• September 12, 2002: Ahmad Mohd Arshad or Mat Komando, 37, the leader of Gang 13, then No.1 on the
Malaysian Most-Wanted-Criminal list for 52 armed robberies involving about RM2.5 million, armed assault and
illegal possession of firearms (among others) was known to be hiding in a Kampung Hujung Keton, the village in
the state of Kedah on the west coast of the Malay Peninsular. Armed with intelligence gathered from surveillance
and villagers, 10 police officers from PGK anti-terror police, supported by the PGA paramilitary police, cordoned
off the area and stormed a hut in the village for the take down. Sensing the presence of law enforcement officials
in dawn September 12, 6.30 am, Mat Komando opened fire and in the ensuing shoot-out, was shot in the head and
left ribs and was killed. The police seized a Colt .45 pistol with three rounds of ammunitions and a S&W Model
617 .22 revolver with two rounds of ammunitions, two bullet shells from the deceased criminal. The then
Malaysian Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Norian Mai (Retired), said that Mat Komando was the fourth
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 206
member of the Gang 13 members to be killed in shoot-outs against police while the remaining nine members had
been arrested.[14]
• September 27, 2002: Hunted downed Gang M16, the
then Most-Wanted-Criminals of Malaysia for armed
robbery at the Bank of Tokyo in 1985, 16 other armed
robberies in jewelery shops and pawn shops, carting
away loot which amounted to RM21.28 million. It was
reported that all the members of this group were
Chinese and the mastermind of this group was one
Elvis Keh Jiang Long a.k.a Ah Po, the ex-Singaporean
National Service(the branch of Singaporean Army),
was an expert in various firearms and he was
responsible for training the group for the robberies.
During the gunfighting with the PGK in Batu 5, Jalan
Seremban-Mantin, near the Galla Recreational Park,
Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, two of the Gang M16
members, identified as Sunny Chai @ Sum Wing
Chang and his righthand man, known as Hew Yau,
were shot dead. Another gang member, Chang Kew
Yin, managed to escape. One PGK officer was
wounded. Security forces recovered an M16 rifle with
two rounds of ammunition, a Colt semi-automatic
The model of 69 Commando PGK with the HALO/HAHO
handgun with 16 rounds of ammunition, a Smith &
equipment.
Wesson revolver and three ski-masks from the
suspects' vehicles. At December 28, 2 am, Chang was
gunned down in the ensuing shootout at Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Bahru and security forces
recovered a China-made Norinco pistol with three rounds of ammunition from Chang's body. Federal CID
Director, Datuk Salleh Mat Som (late), said the police was always hunting for the Gang M16 members who were
still at large, including sending their officers to Singapore and Thailand to track Keh down and also requested the
assistance of the Australian police to locate another gang member, Hew Soon Loong @ Hong Kong Chai, who
was believed to have fled to the country.[15] [16]
• Participated in hostage rescue operations against Abu Sayyaf in Sipadan Island (Pulau Sipadan) and Ligitan
Island (Pulau Ligitan), Sabah with support from PGA, the Malaysian Armed Forces and Philippine Armed
Forces.
• October 16 2003/October 17 2003: Involved in VVIP protection of the Islamic leaders during the 10th
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Putrajaya.
• December 16 2004: Participated in the search and rescue mission for the lost → Indonesian Brimob, in which 700
personnel from the POLRI special operations force units went missing in Acheh after the tsunami incident.
• 2005: Undertook VVIP escort missions to protect ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Muhammad when he
visited Johor.
• 2006: Deployed as part of the United Nations (U.N.) INTERFET to support the Operation Astute. It consisted of
Malaysian U.N. 10 Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas, Australian and New Zealand U.N Armed Forces in
Timor Leste. [17]
• July 2007: Deployed in a search and rescue operation after a Sikorsy S61 Nuri helicopter of the RMAF went
down along with a crew of six near Genting Sempah, Genting Highlands. The SAR team, which consisted of 10
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 207
Paratrooper Brigade, 22nd GGK, PASKAU, United States Navy, police General Operations Force Senoi Praaq,
Police Air Wing, Fire and Rescue Department, Forestry Department rangers, Civil Defense Department (JPA3)
and villagers, located the wreckage of the chopper on July 17, 1324hrs with its rotor blades detached. The bodies
of all crew members were found in the cabin of the stricken aircraft.[18]
• July 16, 2008: Arrested the PKR de facto leader, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in front of his house at Bukit
Segambut in the twillight hours, similar to what happened in 1998, for investigations under Section 377C of the
Penal Code for alleged "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" with his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari
Azlan. However, CID director Commissioner Dato' Mohd Bakri Zinin said that the arrest was not carried out by
the UTK, but by the Bukit Aman's Serious Crimes Division (possibly by the → Unit Tindakan Cepat, UTC).[19]
• 2009: In February 2008, a Singaporean Jemaah Islamiah (JI)
leader, Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from Whitley Detention
Center, the tightest detention centre in Singapore. A few
months later, he was found to be hiding at a village house in
Kampung Tawakal, Skudai, 40 km from Johor Bahru.
Following intelligence sharing with the police forces of
Indonesia and Singapore and tidying of tactical planning, in the
dawn of 1 April 2009 at 06:00, a team from PGK
counter-terrorist unit was deployed to assist police Special
Branch members recapture the militant leader in the village
A PGK officer using a battering ram to break through a
house. Both PGK and Special Branch members stormed each door while other members standby to rush into the kill
the perimeter of that house while Mas Selamat was sound house during the CQC drill.
asleep. However, according to a witness, Mohd Saat Marjo, 57,
a villager who lived opposite the fugitive’s home, about 30 masked commandos armed with automatic weapons
together with plainclothes Special Branch members broke through two doors and rushed into the house when he
refuse to come out and surrender when ordered by the police. The raid and inclusion by PGK and Special Branch
was very organised, giving Mas Selamat no chance at all to escape. He was handcuffed with his face covered in a
dark blue checked cloth before he was swiftly bundled into a police vehicle and taken away.[20] Other JI
members, Abdul Matin Anol Rahmat and Johar Hassan, were also arrested together and police also seized
documents and other paraphernalia that allegedly revealed their planned operation as well as combing the area
with bomb detectors to ensure that the house was free of explosives.[21] However, the PGK's involvement in that
operation was not highlighted in the media due to the top secret nature of the operations. The arrest was attributed
to the Special Branch.
In Popular Culture
Fictional television programs
• In 1997, there was a fictional TV program called Gerak Khas.
• In 2005, an ASTRO RIA television show directed by Senator Dato' Jins Shamsuddin entitled VAT 69 - Warisan
Darah Perwira, documented the tactics and professional lives of VAT 69 officers of the Royal Malaysian Police
Pasukan Gerakan Khas.
Movies
• In 1991, the movie Bayangan Maut (The Shadow of Death) starring Dato' Yusof Haslam, Sabree Fadzil and
Noorkumalasari was released in theatres. In the movie, the featured PGK units were portrayed as plain-clothed
and carrying the M16 rifles.
• A PGK unit is featured at the end of the movie Maria Mariana (1996).
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 208
• In the 2nd installment of Gerak Khas The Movie 2 (2002), Pasukan Gerakan Khas takes action to track down drug
smugglers in maritime Penang states and militia terrorists in the jungle.
• In the end scene of Gerak Khas the Movie 3 (GK3) (2004), VAT 69, the branch of Pasukan Gerakan Khas was
featured in plainclothes carrying MP5A2 submachine guns, with the occasional member carrying a pistols to track
down the crime syndicates in Langkawi Island, Kedah states.
• In the movie Entrapment (1999), starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones, real Pasukan Gerakan Khas
police counter-terrorist operators together with PASKAU were used as the "SWAT Team" that pursued the 2 stars
in and around Petronas Twin Towers. The helicopter at the end of the pursuit scene however was obviously not
RMP's but clearly stated "RMAF", the air force.
Controversies
In October 2006, an officer and two members of Pasukan Gerakan Khas were detained for suspicion of abetting
Abdul Razak Baginda in the murder of a Mongolian, Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was slain and her body blown up
with C4 detonator in October 2006 at Shah Alam, Malaysia. The two officials suspected of involvement in this
murder are Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, while another member, woman Police
Constable Fatimah Abdul Wahap and those on duty in the Pasukan Gerakan Khas's weaponry storage were released
after they were found not to have been involved in the murder. Razak, Azilah and Sirul judge over this brutal
murder. On the 9 April 2009, High Court Judge Zaki Yasin ruled that Sirul Azhar and Azilah statements were
unbelievable as both of the accused only blamed each other. [22] . Both policemen were sentenced to death for the
murder of Altantuya. Wrapping up the 159-day trial, Zaki said both of them failed to raise any reasonable doubt in
the prosecution's case. [23] However, their lawyers will lodge an appeal. Both policemen showed no emotion upon
hearing their death sentence. Their family members accepted the court's decision and denied any political elements in
the verdict. [24]
References
[1] " In full force (http:/ / www. thestar. com. my/ lifestyle/ story. asp?file=/ 2007/ 9/ 22/ lifefocus/ 18884357& sec=lifefocus)". The Star.
2007-09-22. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[2] " To protect with their lives - Fotoplay (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2007/ 12/ 29/ nation/ 19881348& sec=nation)". The
Star. 2007-09-29. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[3] " Unofficial Royal Malaysian Police Paramilitary Force Page (http:/ / kbmyaf. co. nr/ PDRM. htm)". . Retrieved 2009-02-23.
[4] " VAT 69 gets RM2m shoot house (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ metro/ story. asp?file=/ 2007/ 10/ 26/ north/ 19256550& sec=north)". The Star.
2007-10-26. . Retrieved 2008-04-17.
[5] " Malaysian arms gang take hostages (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ asia-pacific/ 818403. stm)". bbc.co.uk (BBC). 4 July 2000. .
Retrieved 2008-06-08.
[6] " Malaysian gunmen surrender (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 821695. stm)". bbc.co.uk (BBC). 6 July 2000. . Retrieved
2008-08-18.
[7] " Sauk incident (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ archive. asp?y=2002& dt=0116& pub=utusan_express& sec=home_news&
pg=hn_06. htm& arc=hive)". Utusan Malaysia. 2001-01-15. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[8] " Malaysian arms raid cult charged (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ asia-pacific/ 870776. stm)". bbc.co.uk (BBC). 8 August 2000. .
Retrieved 2008-06-08.
[9] " Security for sale (http:/ / www. atimes. com/ atimes/ Front_Page/ EH14Aa01. html)". Asia Times. 2003-08-14. . Retrieved 2009-04-20.
[10] " World: Asia-Pacific Anwar arrested amid Kuala Lumpur protests (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 175896. stm)". bbc.co.uk
(BBC). 2 September 2004. . Retrieved 2008-08-20.
[11] " Malaysian Federal Court Judgment in Dato’ Seri Anwar b. Ibrahim & Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja Lwn. Pendakwa Raya (http:/ /
www. kehakiman. gov. my/ judgment/ fc/ archive/ 05-6-2003(W)dato hamid. htm)". Federal Court of Malaysia. 2004-09-02. . Retrieved
2009-06-12.
[12] " Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim set free (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 3619790. stm)". bbc.co.uk (BBC). 2 September 2004. .
Retrieved 2008-08-20.
[13] " 4 ahli Geng Steyr ditembak mati (Malay) (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ archive. asp?y=2000& dt=0119&
pub=utusan_malaysia& sec=muka_hadapan& pg=fp_01. htm& arc=hive)". Utusan Malaysia. 2000-01-19. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
Pasukan Gerakan Khas 209
[14] " Mat Komando killed in shootout with police (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ archive. asp?y=2002& dt=0913&
pub=utusan_express& sec=front_page& pg=fp_01. htm& arc=hive)". Utusan Malaysia. 2002-09-12. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[15] " Crime watch: December 27 (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ archive. asp?y=2002& dt=1228& pub=utusan_express&
sec=home_news& pg=hn_08. htm& arc=hive)". Utusan Malaysia. 2001-12-27. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[16] " M16 Gang crippled, three members including mastermind shot dead (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ archive. asp?y=2002&
dt=1229& pub=utusan_express& sec=home_news& pg=hn_02. htm& arc=hive)". Utusan Malaysia. 2001-12-28. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[17] " M'sian Police To Take Over From M'sian Troops In Timor Leste (http:/ / www. bernama. com. my/ bernama/ v3/ news. php?id=206042)".
Bernama. 2006-06-30. . Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[18] Villagers help in ground search (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2007/ 7/ 16/ nation/ 18316892& sec=nation) The Star, July
16, 2007
[19] " Anwar arrested, taken to HKL (Update 11) (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2008/ 7/ 16/ nation/ 20080716101744&
sec=nation)". The Star. 2008-07-16. . Retrieved 2008-07-20.
[20] " Fugitive militant finds rustic retreat away from prying eyes (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2009/ 5/ 11/ nation/
3877066& sec=nation)". thestar.com.my (The Star (Malaysia)). 11 Mei 2009. . Retrieved 2009-05-11.
[21] " Fugitive Mas Selamat nabbed (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2009/ 5/ 8/ nation/ 20090508084657& sec=nation)".
thestar.com.my (The Star (Malaysia)). 08 May 2009. . Retrieved 2009-05-09.
[22] " Policemen to die in Malaysian case (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 7991132. stm)". BBC News. 2009-04-09. . Retrieved
2009-04-09.
[23] " Malaysia sentences 2 police in Mongolian murder (http:/ / www. google. com/ hostednews/ ap/ article/
ALeqM5id75ogaP8tSKAMyl6HbA1qxRD60gD97ET1FO0)". The Associated Press (Sean Yoong). 2009-04-09. . Retrieved 2009-04-09.
[24] " Altantuya murder: Calm despite death sentence (http:/ / thestar. com. my/ news/ story. asp?file=/ 2009/ 4/ 9/ nation/ 20090409143659&
sec=nation)". M. Mageswari and Lester Kong. 2009-04-09. . Retrieved 2009-04-09.
Police Contingent SWAT Unit (UTC, Malaysia) 210
Country Malaysia
Size Classified
Garrison/HQ Bukit Aman Police HQ, Kuala Lumpur, and all Police Contingents
Commanders
Unit Tindakan Cepat in Malay or Quick Actions Unit is a Police Contingent → SWAT Unit within Royal
Malaysian Police under the Crimes Investigation Department (C.I.D).
History
Formed in the early 2000s, this unit arrived at the law enforcement scene and replaced roles with the → Pasukan
Gerakan Khas (elite Counter-Terrorist unit) which was the main SWAT duty team throughout Malaysia. It has been
formed also for enhancing the capabilities of Criminal Invesitgation Division (which the UTC is a division of) in
facing and handling all dangerous criminal activities; from both individuals and groups. There has always been a
rising requirement for a quick, always-ready unit in various city areas throughout Malaysia. This new unit's role is
for handling medium crimes, such as dealing with bank/jewellery robberies, murder, kidnapping, prison escapes, and
raiding the hideouts of armed criminals.
This unit will aid the elite counter-terrorist force - the → Pasukan Gerakan Khas - in handling situations more suited
to normal SWAT units. Before the formation of the UTC, the Pasukan Gerakan Khas handled all medium~dangerous
situations from armed robberies to hostage rescue. Two states had recently set up UTC Headquarters of their
respective areas - Terengganu and Johor.
The UTC are trained by the experienced Pasukan Gerakan Khas, and are fully and equipped for all situations of
urban combat or CQB. This unit's rapid responses and deployments have been effective in capturing many criminals
since its formation in the 2000s.
Police Contingent SWAT Unit (UTC, Malaysia) 211
Role
UTC's special role enabled the Criminal Invesitgation Division to have its own professional and skilled unit in facing
all dangerous threats when required.
This unit has also been specially trained to secure samples of crime scene evidence safely to the forensic agencies for
examinations. The unit's main HQ is located at the Police HQ at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. Orders and
commands are controlled by the Director of Criminal Invesitgation Division and also assisted by the Deputy
Director.
Training
As mentioned above, all UTC members get special training from the Pasukan Gerakan Khas unit to enable the unit
UTC to engage missions effectively. Most of the training conducted are urban battle and CQB. Special Operations
Forces' training are conducted to the UTC to increase the strength and endurance of unit members, maximizing
mentality strength and exposure to critical and tactical operations. Also among the training absorbed into this unit
are:
1. Operation planning
2. Quick and effective raids of buildings, road vehicles, and trains
3. Expertise use of firearms and explosives
4. Sharpshooting and sniper
However, this unit does not just get training from PGK. The UTC men are regularly sent to take courses outside of
the country to train with foreign units with similar roles.
Equipment
UTC uses all up-to-date equipments for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Specific clothing
Specific uniform for the UTC is very similar to the ones used by the → Pasukan Gerakan Khas.
Beret
Dark blue berets are used by the UTC. Berets of senior officers bear a cloth badge embroidery, while members of
lower ranks bears badges on their berets, which are made from silver.
Combat boots
Combat Boots used by the UTC are the same as to those used by the Federal Reserve Unit operators.
Bulletproof vests
Bulletproof vests are the most important gear equipped to any personnel of security forces.
Vests used by the UTC has a slight difference from the PGK's vest. The latter's vest also has pockets for small tools
required in special operations. Vests for the UTC is also used by the members of CID, and has a simple design with
no pockets. The standard UTC vests are made from Kevlar and are capable of stopping ammunition thrusts as
powerful as the 5.56mm NATOs, and the ultimate UTK vests are capable to restrain 7.62 mm NATO bullets. The
UTC vests have "POLICE" embedded to its front and back.
Police Contingent SWAT Unit (UTC, Malaysia) 212
Communication equipment
Communication equipment also required to make sure task carried out stated effective and fluent. Each stated
equipment only will be used by operation officer officiate operation in the area determined. Communication
equipment or walkie talkie of the type ASTRO Motorola measuring medium become choice this unit. There were
also stated communication system equipped with headset to facilitate operator use him without the need hold him by
stated operating times.
Special vehicles
This unit also owns the medium and light special undercover vehicles, to enable to enable them to move more
tactically.
Each contingent and Bukit Aman have at least a special vehicle which furnished with equipment that is required, for
example communication equipment who act as "Command Vehicles".
Recent Operations
• In August 13, 2004 - An UTC Selangor contingent successfully overcame five criminals who had just robbed
jewellery worth RM500,000 from a jewellery store in a shopping centre at Endah Parade, Sri Petaling, Selangor.
All the criminals, who were wearing baseball hat and armed with semi-automatic pistols and revolvers and
self-made bomb were killed but UTC member, Corporal Amran Abd. Aziz, was wounded during the shoot-out
incident outside shopping complex.[1]
References
[1] 5 criminals shot dead -- After robbing jewellery RM500,000 in Endah Parade (http:/ / www. utusan. com. my/ utusan/ arkib. asp?y=2004&
dt=0814& pub=utusan_malaysia& sec=muka_hadapan& pg=mh_01. htm& arc=hive) Utusan Malaysia August 14, 2004
213
Netherlands
External links
• Information about the BSB [1] (Dutch)
References
[1] http:/ / www. arrestatieteam. nl/ bsb/ index. php
214
New Zealand
Role [1]
Resolution of situations where weapons are used or threatened against the police or the public
Nickname AOS
Colors charcoal
The Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) is a specialist unit of the New Zealand Police designed to "cordon, contain and
appeal to" armed and dangerous offenders. As the name explains, they are called upon when conflict with an armed
offender has occurred or is considered imminent.
The AOS draw upon a varied arsenal of weapons and are often seen in heavy body armour. By contrast, most
front-line police officers in New Zealand are lightly protected and do not normally carry firearms. The establishment
of the AOS is an attempt to retain this situation (lightly armed police officers being the standard) and yet retain the
ability to deal with offenders too dangerous for measures like pepper spray or a baton.
Armed Offenders Squad 215
History
The AOS was formally started by New Zealand SAS soldier "Shocker Shaw" and Police Inspector Perry in 1964[1] ,
in response to the deaths of four police officers in two separate incidents - one in Lower Hutt, Wellington and one in
Waitakere, Auckland - that involved firearms.
One of the highest-profile AOS interventions is their action during the Aramoana massacre on 13–14 November
1990, which involved at least 150 police officers.[2] Officers from the → Special Tactics Group were also present at
the crisis. Sergeant Stewart Guthrie, an NCO in the AOS,[3] was killed in the massacre, although he arrived alone
with only a revolver, ahead of the fully-equipped team from Dunedin.
On 15 October 2007, members of the New Zealand police, Armed Offenders Squad, and → Special Tactics Group
conducted several raids across New Zealand in response to the uncovering of alleged paramilitary training camps
deep in the Urewera mountain ranges. Roughly 300 police were involved in the raids.[4] Four guns and roughly 230
rounds of ammunition were seized and 17 people were arrested. According to the police the raids were a culmination
of more than a year of surveillance that uncovered and monitored the training camps. The warrants were executed
under the Summary Proceedings Act, the Terrorism Suppression Act, and the Arms Act. Raids were conducted in
Wellington, Christchurch, Taupo and Tauranga. Allegations of New Zealand Police searching a school bus also
surfaced.[5]
The Armed Offenders Squad were also involved in a shooting on a motorway in Auckland on 23 January 2009.[6] A
squad member accidentally shot and killed innocent teenager Halatau Naitoko as a gunman threatened a truck driver,
and Naitoko was caught in the line of fire.[7] A former police inspector called for the squad member who shot
Naitoko to be charged[8] while AOS training would be changed to avoid future incidents similar to the Naitoko
case.[9]
The AOS has been involved with the → Special Tactics Group in the 2009 Napier shootings.[10]
Structure
As of 2009, there are 17 squads throughout New Zealand, covering all major population centres. The mission of the
AOS is to provide police with a means of effectively and safely responding to and resolving situations in which there
is a risk of firearms or similarly dangerous weapons being involved, and when weapons are directed against either
members of the public, or the police service. The AOS is comprised entirely of volunteers, who must have passed a
national selection and training course, with further, localised training given on a district level. They are part time,
come from all branches of the New Zealand Police, and operate on a call out basis. According to official figures,
AOS units attended 533 incidents nationwide in the year 1998/99.[1]
Members of the AOS are eligible for selection into the → Special Tactics Group (STG) the full time elite
anti-terrorist unit of the New Zealand Police. This unit trains together with the New Zealand Special Air Service
(NZSAS) however only limited information on it is released by the New Zealand Police.
Members receive additional pay above the regular police wage, in one case around $9,000 per year in 2008.[11]
Supporting units
The AOS is supported by Police Negotiation Teams and canine units specifically trained for use in situations
involving firearms. The PNT units are specially trained in psychology and crisis resolution techniques. A great
majority of their callouts are to AOS incidents, of which the majority have been resolved peacefully. However, the
PNT's may also be called out to several other situations that include, threatened suicides to high-risk hostage
situations.[1] Nationwide, there are 17 Police Negotiation Teams, with each AOS having a dedicated team attached to
it. Similar to the AOS units themselves, the negotiators are all part time volunteers. The Police Negotiation Teams
responded to a total of 330 incidents in the 1998/99 year.[1]
Armed Offenders Squad 216
Requirements
All AOS members are volunteers drawn from the New Zealand Police. They must complete highly rigorous training,
and applications are carefully screened.[1]
Posting to the AOS is not a full-time duty, and members are officially members of other branches such as the
Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) or general duties. In the event of an incident requiring AOS attendance, the
on-duty officers will be paged by the communications centre.[12] They then assemble at their base, to draw arms and
get other equipment, before responding to the scene.[12]
Equipment
In keeping with the weapons available to front-line officers, the AOS are
issued with Glock 17 pistols and Bushmaster M4A3 carbines.[12] [13] Other
equipment includes: pump-action shotguns, namely the Remington 870, for
both breaching and CS gas delivery; the HK 79 grenade launcher for delivery
of CS gas; semi-automatic .223 rifles; ; and tactical vests. Extra gear such as
drop-leg holsters and magazine pouches have been seen in use, but are
optional to the officer. Ballistic vests, Kevlar helmets, and occasionally
ballistic shields are also used.[14] The AOS snipers use a rifle made by
Accuracy International known as the L96
See also
AOS officer during a Police Open Day
• United States Police - Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) display.
External links
• Official website [15]
• Shocker Shaw [16]
References
[1] " Armed Offenders Squad (http:/ / www. police. govt. nz/ service/ aos/ )". New Zealand Police. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[2] "Sobering sights as Banks, Jamieson visit". Otago Daily Times. 15 November 1990. pp. 2.
[3] Forbes, Murray J. (1997). Confessions from the front line. Sandringham, Auckland: Howling at the Moon Productions. p. 203. ISBN
0958356858.
[4] " Police foil paramilitary plot - napalm bomb tested (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ 5SkdEBKU8)". TV3. 15 October 2007. Archived from
the original (http:/ / www. tv3. co. nz/ Policefoilparamilitaryplotnapalmbombtested/ tabid/ 209/ articleID/ 36974/ Default. aspx) on 21 October
2007. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[5] " Siege leaves community in fear - Maori MP (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ 5SkeilbSW)". Stuff.co.nz. 2007-10-15. Archived from the
original (http:/ / www. stuff. co. nz/ 4238597a10. html) on 21 October 2007. .
[6] " Offender not the person killed - report (http:/ / www. nzherald. co. nz/ nz/ news/ article. cfm?c_id=1& objectid=10553274)". New Zealand
Herald. 23 January 2009. . Retrieved 2009-02-06.
[7] " Motorway shooting: How it happened (http:/ / www. nzherald. co. nz/ auckland-region/ news/ article. cfm?l_id=117& objectid=10553585)".
New Zealand Herald. 26 January 2009. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[8] " Former police inspector says officer should face court (http:/ / www. nzherald. co. nz/ nz/ news/ article. cfm?c_id=1& objectid=10553601)".
26 January 2009. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[9] " Broad: AOS training may change (http:/ / www. stuff. co. nz/ national/ 811572)". Stuff. 2009-01-27. . Retrieved 2009-05-09.
[10] " Police trained for 'ugly situation' (http:/ / www. stuff. co. nz/ the-press/ news/ national/ 2393521/ Police-trained-for-ugly-situation)". The
Press. . Retrieved 2009-05-09.
[11] " Man jailed for killing police dog (http:/ / www. nzherald. co. nz/ nz/ news/ article. cfm?c_id=1& objectid=10486959)". New Zealand
Herald. 15 January 2008. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[12] " Split second decisions: police rules of engagement (http:/ / www. stuff. co. nz/ national/ 1387878)". Stuff. 2009-02-01. . Retrieved
2009-05-09.
[13] " Are combat rifles the best option for New Zealand Police in situations involving firearms? (http:/ / blogs. nzherald. co. nz/ blog/
your-views/ 2008/ 5/ 26/ are-combat-rifles-best-option-nz-police-situations-involving-firearms)". 26 May 2008. . Retrieved 2009-02-07.
[14] Young, Warren. " World Factbook of Criminal Justice Systems - New Zealand (http:/ / www. ojp. usdoj. gov/ bjs/ pub/ ascii/ wfbcjnew.
txt)". U.S. Department of Justice. . Retrieved 2009-02-08.
[15] http:/ / www. police. govt. nz/ service/ aos/
[16] http:/ / www. fighttimes. com/ magazine/ magazine. asp?issue=7& article=301
Special Tactics Group 218
Commanders
Previously known as the Anti-Terrorist Squad, the Special Tactics Group is the full-time tactical and
Counter-terrorism group of the New Zealand Police.
The STG is civilian-police → SWAT type unit established to respond to high-risk situations which are beyond the
scope or capacity of everyday policing. STG officers directly support operational police in incidents such as sieges
with specialist tactical, negotiation, intelligence and command support services.
History
The Special Tactics Group, originally named the "Anti Terrorist Squad" until early 1990/1991,[1] [2] was a part-time
unit raised in the 1960s to deal with high risk situations involving armed offenders and possible terrorism related
events. Commissioner of Police John Jamieson sent the group in response to the Aramoana massacre in 1990,[3] they
successfully located gunman David Gray and ended his spree. Group member Stephen Vaughan was shot in the
ankle during the final shoot-out at Aramoana. The unit became a full-time group in 2002 due to a number of changes
made by the New Zealand Police in response to world wide terrorism related events.[4]
The STG has been involved in the 2009 Napier shootings alongside their colleagues in the → Armed Offenders
Squad.[2]
Special Tactics Group 219
Role
The STG deals with armed incidents that are beyond the capability of the part-time Armed Offender Squad. The
group also provides specialist protection to high risk persons and VIPs.[5]
While the Police Armed Offender Squad is trained to cordon or contain high risk situations such as sieges, the
Special Tactics Group is trained to resolve them.[6] However, STG members are also members of the Armed
Offenders Squad.
The group is known to train with the New Zealand Special Air Service Counter-Terrorist Tactical Assault Group,[7]
of which little public information is released.
The STG has also provided specialist armed officers for overseas operations such as the Regional Assistance
Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) working alongside officers from the Australian Federal Police.[2]
The STG along with Police Tactical Groups from across Australia provided several officers on secondment to the
NSW Police Force → Tactical Operations Unit to assist with security operations during the Sydney APEC meeting
in 2007.[8]
The STG is supported during its operations by the → Armed Offenders Squad, negotiation teams and canine units
specifically trained for use in situations involving firearms.
STG have been part of all major security operations in New Zealand including the 1990 Commonwealth Games, the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1995, APEC meetings, royal and VIP tours.[5]
Principal roles
• Protecting endangered witnesses
• Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed
offender situations
• Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical
situations
• Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations
• The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
• Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk
situations Special Tactics Group officers during a training
exercise.
• Providing support services for major operations
• Escorting and protecting VIPs and other at risk or important
persons
The STG also provides specialist assistance in performing tasks which are beyond the scope of operational police.
Some of these tasks may require specialist equipment or expertise in certain areas.
See also
• New Zealand Police - → Armed Offenders Squad (AOS)
• Australian Federal Police - → Specialist Response and Security Team
• New South Wales - → Tactical Operations Unit
• Northern Territory - → Territory Response Group
• Queensland - → Special Emergency Response Team
• South Australia - → Special Tasks and Rescue Group
• Tasmania - → Special Operations Group
• Victoria - → Special Operations Group
• Western Australia - → Tactical Response Group
Special Tactics Group 220
References
[1] Forbes, Murray J. (1997). Confessions from the front line. Sandringham, Auckland: Howling at the Moon Productions. p. 178. ISBN
0958356858.
[2] " Police trained for 'ugly situation' (http:/ / www. stuff. co. nz/ the-press/ news/ national/ 2393521/ Police-trained-for-ugly-situation)". The
Press. 2009-05-08. . Retrieved 2009-05-09.
[3] Forbes, Murray J. (1997). Confessions from the front line. Sandringham, Auckland: Howling at the Moon Productions. p. 199. ISBN
0958356858.
[4] " Protecting New Zealand's Borders – the Government's Approach (http:/ / www. beehive. govt. nz/ speech/ protecting+ new+ zealandâs+
borders+ â+ governmentâs+ approach)". NZ Government. 30 August 2007. . Retrieved 2008-03-26.
[5] " Responding to the threat of terrorism (http:/ / www. police. govt. nz/ service/ counterterrorism/ )". NZ Police. . Retrieved 2008-03-26.
[6] " Police expand anti-terrorism unit (http:/ / www. nzherald. co. nz/ section/ 1/ story. cfm?c_id=1& objectid=2797126)". NZ Herald.
September 13, 2002. . Retrieved 2008-03-26.
[7] " New Zealand Special Air Service (http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ New_Zealand/ NZSAS. htm)". Special Operations.Com. .
Retrieved 2008-03-26.
[8] " APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Bill 2007 (http:/ / www. parliament. nsw. gov. au/ prod/ parlment/ hansart. nsf/
8bd91bc90780f150ca256e630010302c/ 6ef7084473afa23aca2572ff0019cb33!OpenDocument)". NSW Government. 7 June 2007. . Retrieved
2008-03-26.
221
Norway
Beredskapstroppen
Beredskapstroppen
Shoulder patch
Active 1976 – Present
Country Norway
Size 71
Nickname Delta, BT
Commanders
Beredskapstroppen (English Contingency platoon), call sign Delta, is a specialized → police unit situated in Oslo,
Norway. It is the main public force counter-terrorism unit in Norway, trained to perform dangerous operations such
as high-risk arrests and hostage situations. The team members are recruited from the ordinary police force.
Located in Oslo, the force has responsibility for the whole country, including oil installations in the North Sea.
Beredskapstroppen took part in the dramatic hostage situation at Sandefjord Airport on September 29, 1994. Delta is
similar to FBI Hostage Rescue Team in the United States. Unlike the rest of Norwegian Police, they are routinely
armed, weapons including Glock 17 pistols and MP5 submachine guns.
Beredskapstroppen spend 50 % of their time training and preparing for missions, and the rest of the time they
normally work like ordinary law enforcement in Oslo. For training in close quarters combat they often use a
specially built city inside Rena military camp close to Rena which originally was built for training the Telemark
Battalion and other military special forces.
Since October 2006, Beredskapstroppen has been more in the media because of the government's war on gang crime
in Oslo.
Beredskapstroppen 222
Operations
According to Beredskapstroppen's web site, they conduct in average almost one armed operation every day. In 2004,
for instance, they conducted 422 armed missions and only fired their weapons twice. Unlike rest of the Norwegian
police, Beredskaptroppen is routinely armed.
One of Beredskapstroppen's most dramatic missions was the Torp hostage crisis, where an elderly couple and two
police officers were taken hostages by two criminals.In the end of the two day drama, Beredskapstroppen executed a
rescue operation rescuing all of the hostages and killing one hostage taker and arresting the other.
In the NOKAS robbery aftermath, Beredskapstroppen arrested many suspects involved with the robbery. During the
robbery one policeman from Stavanger was shot dead by one of the robbers.
Since October 2006, Delta has focused their operations against gang crime in the capital of Oslo and arrested many
criminals and seized many weapons used by the gangs.
Members of Beredskapstroppen has also been deployed in Special Team Six. (See below)
Equipment
Weapons
• Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun
• Glock 17
• SIG-Sauer SSG 3000
• Sig Sauer 226
• Benelli M3 Super 90
• Diemaco C8
• ARWEN 37
Beredskapstroppen has two Rigid-hulled inflatable boats. The type has three engines with a total of 675 HP.
For air transport Beredskapstroppen uses military Bell 412 SP from the RNoAF.
The operators use a special type of visor on their helmets which can withstand 9mm bullets. The French → GIGN
also reportedly use this visor.
The unit uses a gas mask with a closed system (rebreather).
They also use advanced equipment to determine the type of chemicals they are up against. They wear slightly
different uniforms; instead of the normal black pants and blue shirts they wear black jumpsuits.
The unit frequently drives unmarked Mercedes Geländewagen, marked and unmarked Chevrolet Suburbans and
marked Volvo V70s.
Beredskapstroppen 223
References
[1] http:/ / www. aftenposten. no/ nyheter/ iriks/ article1195438. ece
[2] http:/ / www. phs. no/ bibliotek/ phsbibl/ prosjekt/ artikler/ fulltekst/ kosovo. pdf
Forsvarets Spesialkommando
Forsvarets Spesialkommando
Country Norway
Size Classified
Decorations
Army Presidential Unit Citation
History
FSK was first officially revealed to the media after the military's
comments regarding the hijacking of an airplane at Fornebu in
September 1993.
Outside of Norway
Kosovo
Afghanistan
FSK supported U.S. Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. That Norwegian special forces
used newly developed and top secret methods and tools that gave the allied forces important information, has been
alleged by Norwegian media.[5] .
FSK has co-operated with other special forces such as the British SAS, Delta Force and DEVGRU of US Special
Operations Command and KSK of Germany.
Organization
The unit was claimed to consist of about 100 commandos, as of 2003.[6] [7] (These individual commandos are
referred to by various names in Norwegian media, including kommandosoldat, spesialsoldat and spesialjeger.)
Chain of command
Above the FSK's Commanding Officer, the chain of command includes the Ministry of Defence. The unit
commander reports directly to GIH(generalinspektøren for hæren).[8] There is at least one reference claiming the
existence of a Chief of special forces(sjefen for spesialstyrkene)[9] [10]
FSK and HJK, have the capabilities of sharing logistics, training facilities and other resources.
General tasks
In peacetime they are a support element to the Norwegian Police force and law enforcement agencies in allied
nations, acting when requested in serious incidents like hostage situations and aircraft hijacking. During
counter-terrorist operations, FSK operatives are trained to eliminate the threats rather than trying to arrest them.
In wartime, their tasks are mainly:
• to gather intelligence
• to localize and identify enemy supplies and activity
• to carry out offensive operations against very important targets
• to provide support to rescue missions involving important personnel
• to provide protection to personnel and departments.
Selection
Soldiers from any branch of the Norwegian military, can be selected to join FSK. Conscripts can not apply for FSK
selection.
Previously, the FSK only accepted applicants who had served as a conscript in either Marinejegerkommandoen or
HJK.
Training
Candidates for FSK, will go through some of the toughest Norwegian military training. Only a handful finish the
entire training period.
FSK-officers are claimed to receive training at Long Range Reconnaissance School in Germany.[16]
Fact-Finding Commission
At least one fact-finding commission has been constituted,regarding activities of FSK, specifically the causes as to
why soldier Bjørn Sagvolden was seriously injured during a training mission, in 1983.[23] The conclusion of the
commission, was that "It was found that due to the → group's [FSK] special functions, it was not advisable to further
investigate its configuration, tasks, or general training procedures".[24]
Controversies
Claims have been made, that professional psychological help for traumatized FSK-soldiers, has not been adequate
(and sometimes not reasonably available).[25]
Quotes
• "Trained to kill. Afterwards they were left by themselves."[26]
Weapons
Various types of weapons used by FSK:
• Heckler & Koch G3 - Assault Rifle
• Colt Canada C8SFW - Assault rifle
• Heckler & Koch HK 417 - Battle rifle not approved by photos
• Heckler & Koch HK 416 - Assault rifle not approved by photos
• Heckler & Koch MP7 - Submachine gun not approved by photos
• Heckler & Koch MP5 - Submachine gun
• Heckler & Koch MSG-90 - Sniper rifle
• Accuracy International L115A1 - Sniper Rifle
• Barrett M82A1 - high-powered heavy Sniper Rifle
• Heckler & Koch USP - Pistol
• Glock 17 - Pistol
• AG-C/EGLM - Grenade launcher (fitted to C8SFW)
• Talley Defense Systems M72 LAW - light anti-armor weapon
• Carl Gustav recoilless rifle - anti-tank weapon
• Browning M2 - HMG
• Rheinmetall MG3 - GPMG
• FN MINIMI Para SPW - LMG
• HK GMG (automatic grenade launcher on Mercedes SF vehicles).
• M320 Grenade Launcher Module(on HK416).
• M249 SAW
Forsvarets Spesialkommando 227
Vehicles
• Geländerwagen/MB270 CDI FAV vehicle armoured and EOD protected with 3 weaponstations (2 MG3 and 1
M2 or GMG). Developed in 2002 and later modernized. Used in operation Anaconda. Lot of space and mounts
for equipment and communication.
See also
• Special Activities Division
• Delta Force
• SEAL Team Six
External links
• «Hærens Jegerkommando – en prioritert avdeling» [28], from Milnytt.no [29], November 1, 2005 (Norwegian)
• ShadowSpear.com Special Operations Community Website [30] (Norwegian)
• «Åsta-helt døde under anti-terrortrening» [31], from Verdens Gang, October 6, 2005 (Norwegian)
• «Ødelegge og nøytralisere» [32] from Bergens Tidende, February 17, 2005 (Norwegian)
• «Norske styrker øver anti-terror» [33] from Forsvarsnett [34], December 30, 2002 (Norwegian)
• «Taushet om spesialstyrker» [1], from Ny Tid, November 16, 2001 (Norwegian)
• «Spesialkommandoen skulle befri Ostrø» [35] from Verdens Gang, September 23, 2001 (Norwegian)
• «Video of NORSOF» [36]from TVNORGE, January 21, 2007 (Norwegian)
• TV Commercial Video [37] (Norwegian)
• Forsvarets Spesialkommando promo video [38] (Norwegian)
• «The FSK official website» [39]
• Facsimile: «"Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21.April 2003,p.25 to p.29 »
[40]
(Norwegian)
• http://www.janes.com/defence/news/kosovo/jdw990420_01_n.shtml
References
[1] http:/ / www. nytid. no/ index. php?sk=8& id=444
[2] http:/ / www. dagbladet. no/ kultur/ 2008/ 11/ 05/ 552810. html
[3] http:/ / www. dagbladet. no/ kultur/ 2008/ 11/ 05/ 552810. html
[4] http:/ / www. dagbladet. no/ kultur/ 2008/ 11/ 05/ 552810. html
[5] http:/ / www. vg. no/ nyheter/ innenriks/ artikkel. php?artid=5347112
[6] Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.1 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[7] A previous claim of 40 commandos, as of 2001, with a future increase of 50 % regarding the number of soldiers,was forecast (lacking a
timeframe) in the enclosed reference: http:/ / www. vg. no/ nyheter/ innenriks/ artikkel. php?artid=9958374
[8] Glossary of Endgame by Knut Braa,p.270,ISBN:978-82-8143-198-0
[9] Colonel Torgeir Gråtrud was Chief of special forces as of October 17,2007
[10] http:/ / www. regjeringen. no/ nb/ dep/ fd/ aktuelt/ nyheter/ 2007/ arverdig-avslutning-for-lingeklubben. html?id=486257
[11] The Commanding Officer for FSK and HJK, was the same person, in year 2003, at least. Ref: Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21.
april 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/ artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[12] Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[13] http:/ / www. mil. no/ haren/ hjk/ start/ Fakta_FSK/
[14] http:/ / www. mil. no/ haren/ start/ org/ fskhjk/
[15] Glossary of Endgame,p.270,ISBN:978-82-8143-198-0
[16] http:/ / www. nytid. no/ arkiv/ artikler/ 20011116/ taushet_om_spesialstyrker/
[17] Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.27 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[18] Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-14/ faksimile_vg_fsk_141108. pdf )
Forsvarets Spesialkommando 228
[19] Verdens Gang, 14.11.2008 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-14/ faksimile_vg_fsk_141108. pdf )
[20] Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.27 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[21] According to former "FSK-Sergeant"/ FSK-veteran of the Kosovo conflict, Knut Harald Hansen
[22] Dagens Næringsliv,DN Magasinet,16./21. april 2003,p.28 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[23] "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.27
[24] Facsimile: «The Fact-Finding Commission's report (Rapport fra undersøkelseskommisjon ...) » (http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ pdf/
rapport_071283_sagvolden. pdf) (Norwegian)
[25] "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29 ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/
2008-11-13/ artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[26] Dagens Næringsliv,16./21. april 2003,front page ( Facsimile: http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/
artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf )
[27] "Regjeringens drapsmaskiner",Dagens Næringsliv,16./21.April 2003,p.29
[28] http:/ / www. milnytt. no/ Default. asp?layout=article& id=1034
[29] http:/ / www. milnytt. no/
[30] http:/ / shadowspear. com/
[31] http:/ / www. vg. no/ pub/ vgart. hbs?artid=108129
[32] http:/ / www. bt. no/ utenriks/ article342098
[33] http:/ / www. mil. no/ start/ article. jhtml?articleID=34057
[34] http:/ / www. mil. no/
[35] http:/ / www. vg. no/ pub/ vgart. hbs?artid=1588113
[36] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=79H7J0s-cFk
[37] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=1AD-EHxDnQQ
[38] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=EHPBFRlKd44
[39] http:/ / www. mil. no/ haren/ hjk/ start/ spesialjeger/
[40] http:/ / www. dykkersaken. no/ files/ dated/ 2008-11-13/ artikkel_sagvolden_dn_210403. pdf
229
Pakistan
Elite Police
Elite Police
Country Pakistan
Branch Punjab Police
Engagements 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team, Lahore police academy attack
Commanders
The Elite Punjab Police, also known as the "Elite Force" or "Police Commandos",[2] [3] [4] is a branch of the Punjab
Police specializing in Counter-Terrorist operations and VIP security duties, as well as acting against serious crime
and performing high-risk operations which can't be carried out by the regular police. It was formed in 1998 as a
counterterrorism unit, but over time its duties expanded to VIP escort.
History
The Elite Force was created on the order of the then Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sarhif in 1997–1998.[5] In 2004,
more funds were allocated for its expansion, and 5000 new personnel were inducted. New checkpoints for curbing
street crime were created across Punjab and manned by the Elite Force.[6] Their work drew attention in the wake of
the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, when retired general Pervez Musharraf criticized security
around the team. Musharraf remarked that
If this was the elite force I would expect them to have shot down those people who attacked them. The
reaction, their training should be on a level that if anyone shoots toward the company they are guarding,
in less than three seconds they should shoot the man down.[7] [8]
The Elite Police were also extensively involved in neutralizing enemy combatants who had laid siege to the
Manawan Police Training School during the 2009 Lahore police academy attacks.
Elite Police 230
Organization
The Elite Force is headed by the Additional Inspector-General of Police, Elite Police, who is under the Additional
IGP (Inspector General Police), CID (crime investigation department), Punjab. During operations, they are headed
by an officer trained in a "Basic Elite" course.[9]
The Elite Force is used in a range of special operations including "high-risk searches, raids and rescue
operations".[10] Members of the Elite Force are trained for six months at the Elite Training Center in Badian, Lahore,
by Pakistan's Special Service Group in personal combat, martial arts, crowd control, close quarters operations
(CQO), and reconnaissance. They are trained in the use of a range of weapons, including the AK-47, MP-5, and
grenades. Their arsenal also included flak jackets.[9] They are often seen in black and green track suits.[11]
Equipment
• MP5SD3
• AK-47
• Ballistic Vest
• Shotgun
See also
• List of Special Response Units
• Elite Police Academy
External links
• Official website [12]
• Sargodha Elite force [13]
• Bahawalpur Police Official website [14]
• Rescue 15 Bahawalpur Non_Official website [15]
References
[1] " Suicide blasts at Islamabad’s Islamic university kill six (http:/ / www. dawn. com/ wps/ wcm/ connect/ dawn-content-library/ dawn/ news/
pakistan/ 04-blast1-in-islamabad-qs-07)". Dawn News. 2009-10-20. . Retrieved 2009-10-20.
[2] " India condemns police academy attack (http:/ / www. dawn. com/ wps/ wcm/ connect/ dawn-content-library/ dawn/ news/ world/
india-condemns-police-academy-attack--bi)". Dawn.com. 2009-03-31. . Retrieved 2009-04-01.
[3] " How Pakistan academy attack started (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ south_asia/ 7971345. stm)". BBC. 2009-03-30. . Retrieved
2009-04-01.
[4] " Sri Lanka cricket team attacked (http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ nphotos/
Sri-Lanka-cricket-team-attacked-Pakistani-police-commandos-carry-coffin-their-colleague-funeral-Lahore-Pakistan/ ss/ events/ sp/
030309srilankacricke/ im:/ 090303/ 481/ 16a4ac87bba54873b7bf2c2602ca37ec/ )". Yahoo news. . Retrieved 2009-03-11.
[5] " Elite Force (http:/ / www. sargodhapolice. gov. pk/ index. php?option=com_content& task=view& id=52& Itemid=57)". . Retrieved
2009-03-07.
[6] " Punjab earmarks more funds for Elite Force (http:/ / www. dailytimes. com. pk/ default. asp?page=story_13-3-2004_pg7_23)". 2004-03-13.
. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
[7] Pakistan Cricket Ambush Controversy Focuses on Security (http:/ / www. voanews. com/ english/ 2009-03-05-voa13. cfm), Voice of
America, 2009-03-5
[8] Rehman Khan, Fasihur (2009-03-05). " 'Elite force should have killed terrorists' (http:/ / www. gulfnews. com/ world/ Pakistan/ 10292058.
html)". Gulfnews. . Retrieved 2009-03-07.
[9] " Gujrat Police official website, Standard Operating Procedures (http:/ / www. gujratpolice. gov. pk/ user_files/ File/
SOP_For_Employment_of_Elite_Force. pdf)". . Retrieved 2009-03-08.
[10] Punjab Police, Elite Force Official website (http:/ / www. punjabpolice. gov. pk/ page. asp?id=389), retrieved 17 March 2009
[11] " Sri Lanka cricket team attacked (http:/ / news. yahoo. com/ nphotos/
Sri-Lanka-cricket-team-attacked-Pakistani-police-commandos-carry-coffin-their-colleague-funeral-Lahore-Pakistan/ ss/ events/ sp/
Elite Police 231
ASF History
ASF was established in 1976 under the ASF Act LXXVII of 1975 initially as the Directorate of the Department of
Civil Aviation. After the hijacking of a PIA aeroplane in March 1981, sensing the contradictory requirements of
security and facilitation, ASF was separated and in December 1983, was placed under the folds of the Ministry of
Defence.
232
Philippines
Country Philippines
Size Classified
Motto [1]
By virtue of skill, we triumph
Engagements Anti-guerilla operations against the New People's Army and formerly the Moro National Liberation Front
before taking on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Anti-terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf
Commanders
Insignia
The Special Action Force is the primary special forces unit of the
Philippine National Police. It is formed along the lines of the British
(SAS) Special Air Service, but with different recruitment and selection
procedures.[4] [5] The SAF, over the years, has received training from
the → FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Critical Incident
Response Group, → RAID and → YAMAM.[4] [5] The Anti-Terrorist
Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for nationwide Police
Counter-terrorism (CT) operations nationwide. Meanwhile, the regions Special Action Force C.T. Unit undergo CQB
have specially-equipped and trained Regional Mobile Forces (RMF) training.
which used to be the Light Reaction Unit (LRU) in Metro Manila and
the Regional SAF (RSAF) in the provinces.[4]
History
Created on May 12, 1983 by the former Philippine Constabulary as the Philippine Constabulary Special Action
Force[11] as a requirement of General Order 323 of Philippine Constabulary Headquarters, Fidel Ramos and Renato
de Villa were the founders of the unit. A training program, called the SAF Ranger Course, was used to train the 1st
generation of SAF operators, which had a number of 149 operatives. Out of them, 26 were known commissioned
officers. Later on, they changed the name of the course to the SAF Commando Course.
Initially formed to battle against NPA and former MNLF guerillas in the late 1980s and early 1990s, their tasks have
been expanded to battle against organized criminal groups, terrorists, guerrillas and common criminals.
During the days of the EDSA Revolution, Fidel Ramos was involved in planning an operation called "Exercise
Ligtas Isla" (Exercise Save Island) in case either Imelda Marcos or Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff
General Fabian Ver would take over ruling from Ferdinand Marcos, who had been ill during the last few days of the
Revolution.[12]
Following recent changes, the SAF will move to a permanent camp at Barangay Pinugay, Baras, Rizal under
Proclamation No. 1355 passed on August 2007[13] from their camp in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.[14]
For the first time, SAF operators are involved in the Balikatan exercises in 2009 since American and Filipino troops
are usually involved.[15]
Special Action Force 234
Functions
As designated by the Philippine National Police, the missions of the Special Action Force are the following:[12] [16]
• To develop, organise and train organic personnel in the furtherance of the assigned mission.
• To conduct Counter-Terrorist operation in urban and rural areas.
• To conduct commando type unconventional warfare (CUW) against lawless elements over extended periods of
time with minimal direction and control.
• To conduct search and rescue operations anywhere in the country during calamities and catastrophes.
• To conduct civil disturbance management (CDM) operations and address the requirements of stability and
security operations in times of civil disobedience on a national scale.
• To operate as a rapid deployment force ready and capable to strike anytime and anywhere in the country in
support of other units and other agencies as higher headquarters may direct.
• To perform other tasks as the Chief PNP may direct.
• To maintain a reasonable degree of law and order in the national highways and major thoroughfares
Weapons
Assault rifles
• Colt M16 family (Some are outfitted with M203 grenade launchers)
• FERFRANS SSW (Squad Support Weapon)
• GIAT FAMAS G2
• Heckler & Koch G36
• IMI Galil
• M4 Carbine (Some with M203 grenade launchers)
• Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR)
• Springfield M14 rifle
Submachine guns
• FN P90[17]
• Heckler & Koch MP5 series
• IMI Uzi family
Shotguns
• Benelli M4 Super 90
• Mossberg 500
• Remington 870
Special Action Force 235
Sniper rifles
• Barrett M82A1
• Heckler & Koch MSG-90
• IMI Galil ARM Sniper
• Remington M700
• Savage Model 10[18]
Machine guns
• FN Minimi LMG
• FN Minimi Para LMG
• ST Kinetics Ultimax 100 LMG
• US Ordnance M60 General purpose machine gun (GPMG)
• Vektor SS-77 GPMG (Mounted on Land Rover Defenders)
Known operations
• February 1986: EDSA Mutiny.
• 1986-1989: Had conducted anti-coup operations against
anti-government rebels from the Philippine military.[19]
• Late 1980s/1990s: First deployed to battle against NPA and MNLF
rebels.
• July 27 2003: SAF EOD experts deployed during the Oakwood
Mutiny.[20]
• August 25, 2003: Several SAF units were deployed in Makati after
heavily-armed bank robbers attacked the headquarters of Citibank SAF commandos in the 1980s.
Philippines.
• September 23, 2003: A joint raid by the SAF, the CIDG, the Intelligence Group (IG), the Traffic Management
Group, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the Army Intelligence and
Security Group (AISG) and the Marines assaulted Palar Village in Taguig, netting a bank robbery gang made up
of ex-AFP soldiers believed to be responsible for the Citibank Philippines robbery.[21]
• September 28, 2003: Protection for US President George Bush during his visit to the Philippines.
• October 2, 2003: Arrest of Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist, Taofek Refke.[11]
• March 10, 2004: SAF teams engaged NPA guerrillas in a gunfight alongside soldiers of the Philippine Army's
24th Infantry Battalion Sitio Caarosipan, Barangay Apostol, San Felipe town. 8 NPA guerillas were confirmed
killed. A single SAF officer was killed on the spot with 3 injured.
• April 28, 2004: Arrest of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Muslim community in Culiat, Quezon City.
• May 31, 2004: Protection of ballot boxes used in the May 10, 2004 presidential elections.
• June 11, 2004: SAF teams deployed in a resettlement area in Taguig, Rizal province after reports of snipers were
made to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
• June 20, 2004: A SAF officer was killed when the SAF and the Provincial Mobile Group engaged an NPA squad
in a gunfight in Zambales province.
• July 17, 2004: A group of phone hackers, consisting of Filipino and foreign nationals, were arrested in a raid
conducted by the SAF.
• July 28, 2004: Provided security for ex-Abu Sayyaf hostage Gracia Burnham, who testified against the terrorist
group in a local courthouse.
• September 27 2004: SAF teams deployed in the Cordillera in order to disarm various Partisan Armed Group
(PAG) gunmen in the employ of several local prominent politicians.
Special Action Force 236
• January 30, 2005: Arrest of various kidnap-for-ransom gang members in Batangas City
• February 10, 2005: A bank robbery gang was arrested during a raid in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
• March 15, 2005: SAF and PNP SWAT teams raided the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City after it was captured by Abu Sayyaf inmates.
Among those killed were Alhamser Limbong alias Commander Kosovo, Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot;
Nadzmi Sabdullah alias Commander Global; and Sadit Abdul Ganit Husim alias Commander Lando.[22] For a
short time, various human rights group in the Philippines and abroad have accused the SAF of police brutality and
were convinced that the PNP really wanted to kill them at the start of the crisis. PNP officials have denied all
charges.[23] Various foreign groups abroad (possibly other special ops units) have praised the SAF for bringing a
quick end to the 30-hour crisis. This was one of the SAF's publicly known operations to be on the headlines on
newspapers and on TV news reports worldwide, especially on CNN. PO1 (Police Officer 1) Abel P. Arreola was
the only SAF operative killed during the attack.[24]
• February 17, 2006: SAF units are deployed in Southern Leyte as part of a humanitarian contingent of the PNP.
• February 21, 2006: SAF units patrol grounds of Malacañang Palace after an explosion occurred in the grounds of
the Palace, said to be from a trash can.
• February 24, 2006: SAF units on red alert after coup attempt was discovered.
• October 9, 2006: SAF units deployed in Negros Occidental after New People's Army rebels attacked the Silay
City airport.[25]
• January 11-14, 2007: SAF units had been present in Cebu during the 12th ASEAN summit in Metro Cebu.
• October 26, 2007: Senior Inspector Fermar Ordiz, a PNP SAF operative was shot and killed by robbers in Cubao,
Quezon City during a shootout despite wearing a kevlar vest.[26]
• November 29, 2007: SAF involved in the Manila Peninsula rebellion after several SAF officers had arrested
renegade soldiers, including Brigadier General Danilo Lim.[27] Earlier, the SAF had been summoned in to
barricade The Peninsula Manila.[28]
• June 13, 2007: Police Officer 2 Marlon Buslig, a PNP SAF operative was shot and killed by Abu Sayyaf firces in
Indanan, Sulu during a combat operation despite wearing a kevlar vest.
• Various anti-insurgent operations against the NPA.
• Various anti-terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
Special Action Force 237
Support
The SAF could call on the support of the PNP and its own Air Unit as its
method of transportation via helicopter, as done under General Order
0405,[11] or via vehicles such as the M998 Humvee, mounted with a
Browning M2 machine gun on top, modified Ford F-150s, and the V-150
Commando APC as a form of armed support. Land Rover Defender jeeps are
also used by the SAF, modified to house a Browning M2 machine gun and a
Vektor SS-77 machine gun on the passenger seat for the former. Various
helicopters in service with the SAF's Air Unit are tasked with various duties,
from transportation to surveillance and reconnaissance.
New armored vehicles similar to those used by banks were introduced to the
SAF as a primary means of armored transportation in urban areas, and some
models are used as mobile command posts.
Reynaldo Velasco Lieutenant Colonel May 16, 1983 - February 13, 1987
Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. Police Chief Superintendent August 2, 1989 - February 11, 1991
Enrique T. Bulan Police Chief Superintendent February 12, 1991 - March 8, 1992
Recaredo A. Sarmiento III Police Chief Superintendent June 6, 1992 - August 2, 1994
Ricardo S. Villarin Police Chief Superintendent June 16, 1996 - August 23, 1998
Jose O. Dalumpines Police Chief Superintendent August 14, 1998 - February 14, 2001
Rogelio B. Bathan Police Chief Superintendent February 14, 2001 - September 13, 2002
Servando M. Hizon Police Chief Superintendent September 14, 2002 - December 27, 2003
Silverio D. Alarcio Jr. Police Chief Superintendent December 27, 2003 - September 8, 2004
Marcelino F. Franco Jr. Police Chief Superintendent September 9, 2004 - February 26, 2006
Silverio D. Alarcio Jr. Police Chief Superintendent February 26, 2006 - May 18, 2006
Felizardo M. Serapio Jr. Police Chief Superintendent May 18, 2006 - March 2007
Special Action Force 238
External links
• Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) official website [29]
References
[1] " SAF CELEBRATES ITS 24TH YEAR (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ Story/ story6. pdf)". . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[2] " SAF Directors (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ Director. html)". Philippine National Police. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[3] " SAF Leaders (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ leaders. html)". Philippine National Police. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[4] " Philippine SF Overview (http:/ / home. avvanta. com/ ~whitet/ ph_ovrview. htm)". . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[5] " Six things you have to learn about Philippine Special Operations Forces (http:/ / home. earthlink. net/ ~upmrotc/ coc/ id78. html)". .
Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[6] Fernando R. Ortega. " THE NEW SPECIAL ACTION FORCE COMMANDO COURSE (http:/ / homepage. mac. com/ djphotographer/
podcasts/ forceandvalormagazine02. pdf)". Force and Valor. p. 7. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[7] Aligre Martinez. " THE URBAN COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE COURSE (http:/ / homepage. mac. com/ djphotographer/
podcasts/ forceandvalormagazine02. pdf)". Force and Valor. p. 8. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[8] Rhoderick Armamento. " THE BASIC AIRBORNE COURSE (http:/ / homepage. mac. com/ djphotographer/ podcasts/
forceandvalormagazine02. pdf)". Force and Valor. p. 8. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[9] Maryanne Moll. " Through Fire and Ice (http:/ / homepage. mac. com/ djphotographer/ podcasts/ forceandvalormagazine02. pdf)". Force and
Valor. p. 5. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[10] " Force and Valor Table of Contents (http:/ / homepage. mac. com/ djphotographer/ podcasts/ forceandvalormagazine02. pdf)". Force and
Valor. p. 2. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[11] " Performance Highlights (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ about/ content/ offices/ central/ saf/ info/ body. html)". Philippine National Police.
2007-03-02. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[12] " About Special Action Force (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ about/ content/ offices/ central/ saf/ info/ about/ about. html)". Philippine National
Police. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[13] " Special Action Force camp to rise in Pinugay (http:/ / www. barasrizal. com/ places-to-visit/ special-action-force-camp-to-rise-in-pinugay/
)". . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[14] " MMDA help sought in demolition operations inside police camp (http:/ / www. gmanews. tv/ story/ 120281/
MMDA-help-sought-in-demolition-operations-inside-police-camp)". GMA Network. 2008-09-14. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[15] Cecille Suerte-Felipe (2009-01-05). " PNP, US troops to hold joint Balikatan exercises (http:/ / www. philstar. com/ Article.
aspx?articleid=429289)". Philippine Star. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[16] " About SAF (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ mv. html)". Philippine National Police. 2006. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[17] Lewis, Jack (2007). The Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons. Gun Digest Books; 7 edition (September 26, 2007). ISBN 978-0896894983.
[18] " Savage Model 10 Precision Rifles Used by Philippine National Police Counterterrorism Unit (http:/ / www. tactical-life. com/ online/
news/ savage-model-10-precision-rifles-used-by-philippine-national-police-counterterrorism-unit/ ?hp=news_title)". Tactical Life. . Retrieved
2009-06-30.
[19] " The Origin of Wildfire (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ Story/ story4. pdf)". Force and Valor. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[20] " SAF Annual Report, SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS May 2003-May 2004 (http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ about/ content/ offices/
central/ saf/ info/ reports/ report. html)". Philippine National Police. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[21] Miko Santos (2003-09-23). " Police arrest 9 bank robbery suspects (http:/ / www. sunstar. com. ph/ static/ man/ 2003/ 09/ 23/ news/ police.
arrest. 9. bank. robbery. suspects. html)". Sun.Star Manila. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[22] Oliver Teves (2005-03-16). " At least 23 die in Manila jail raid (http:/ / www. thestandard. com. hk/ stdn/ std/ World/ GC16Wd02. html)".
The Standard. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[23] May Vargas. " Camp Bagong Diwa Likened to Auswichtz (http:/ / www. bulatlat. com/ news/ 5-36/ 5-36-muslim. htm)". Bulatlat. .
Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[24] " Police, Muslims to thwart Sayyaf reprisals (http:/ / www. sunstar. com. ph/ static/ man/ 2005/ 03/ 18/ news/ police. muslims. to. thwart.
sayyaf. reprisals. html)". Sun.Star Manila. 2005-03-18. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[25] Joel Guinto, Thea Alberto (2006-10-09). " Elite military, police units to go after NPA in airport raid (http:/ / newsinfo. inquirer. net/
breakingnews/ metroregions/ view_article. php?article_id=25679)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[26] Kenneth del Rosario (2007-10-26). " Police officer, 4 robbers killed in QC shootout (http:/ / newsinfo. inquirer. net/ breakingnews/ metro/
view_article. php?article_id=96968)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[27] " Brig Gen. Danilo Lim arrested (http:/ / www. gmanews. tv/ story/ 70723/ Brig-Gen-Danilo-Lim-arrested)". GMA Network. 2009-11-29. .
Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[28] " (Update) National Police in full alert (http:/ / www. gmanews. tv/ story/ 70655/ (Update)-National-Police-in-full-alert)". GMA Network.
2007-11-29. . Retrieved 2009-06-30.
[29] http:/ / www. pnp. gov. ph/ SAF/ Index. html
239
Portugal
Country Portugal
Size 210
Part of Directly under control of the Polícia de Segurança Pública (police) and the Ministry of the Interior of Portugal
Garrison/HQ Lisbon
Nickname GOE
Grupo de Operações Especiais - GOE (Special Operations Group) is the Portuguese PSP (Police) special
operations unit, manned slightly over 200 elements.
In 1978, Quinta das Águas Livres was acquired and the construction works of the infrastructures necessary to
organise the instruction activities and to accommodate the distinct elements that would form a future operational
group began. Alongside, also began studies regarding the creation of the GOE and, with the co-operation of the
British government, thanks to the efforts of Mota Pinto's government, elements of the 22nd Special Air Service
Regiment (SAS) came to Portugal to train and start the formation of a → police group able to conduct anti-terrorist
missions.
In March 29 1982, the first COE – Curso de Operações Especiais (Special Operations Course) began (not to be
mistaken with CTOE's COE). The course ended on November 18 of the same year; the unit was considered to be
totally operational and with an intervention capability since the end of 1982, although it was formally created in
1979. As a result of that approach between the British SAS and the Portuguese GOE, the pictures of the first agents
are hard to distinguish between British and Portuguese since their uniforms, equipment and weaponry are identical.
Later, GOE, still maintaining a strong relationship with the SAS, also began training with the US Delta Force,
Germany's → GSG 9, Spain's Guardia Civil Anti-Terrorist units and Israeli Anti-Terrorist units. GOE's capabilities
were put to the test in June, 1983, when Armenian commandos, using rented cars, invaded the residence of the
Turkish ambassador and killed a PSP officer who was part of the embassy's security team, holding the rest of the
people there hostage. The Prime-Minister, Mario Soares, gave the green light to GOE to storm the building. Before
this could be attempted, the terrorists accidentally blew themselves up, resulting in 5 dead terrorists and 2 casualties
(the chargé d'affaires' wife and a policeman).[1]
Since that moment, the missions assigned to the unit became more diverse and demanding. After 1991, GOE
operational elements, together with ex-operators, began missions of protection of diplomatic representatives and
installations in foreign countries where there are unstable situations or armed conflicts. The level of operators
deployed to those scenarios depends of the situation. GOE also intervenes if the evacuation of Portuguese citizens is
needed: in 1992 in Luanda (Angola), in 1991 and 1997 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire) and
in other countries like Guinea-Bissau, Algeria, Macau and Bosnia. In those missions, they had to face attempts of
Grupo de Operações Especiais (Portugal) 240
forced entry into the diplomatic delegations by armed militants; the most serious being the missions that happened in
1997 in Zaire and in 1998 in Guinea; in the latter a grenade was launched into the embassy building where the
security team was. In 2005 they were sent to Saudi Arabia and Iraq to protect the Portuguese embassies and
personnel in both countries. Some were also sent into Timor-Leste in 2006. Since 2006, the unit has the support of
police elements from the famous CI (Corpo de Intervenção) in the security of the Portuguese Embassies in Iraq and
East-Timor. In August 2008 they were also assigned to end a robbery taking place in a branch of the portuguese bank
BES, involving two armed robbers and six hostages, successfully taking out one of the robbers with a sniper shot to
the heart, and injuring the other with one shot through the jaw. All hostages were released, four of them shortly after
the beginning of the negotiations, while the other two were held until the end. This intervention was generally
considered very successful.
GOE is also deployed on VIP protection missions for visiting dignitaries, co-operating with other PSP units in
establishing security cordons and, specially, as select snipers in missions of observation, search and detection of
terrorist snipers. Another activity for which GOE is required is in co-operation with the Anti-Crime Brigades, where
they are employed in surveillance missions and in the entry of fortified installations related to weapons or drugs
trafficking.
The unit is organized as follows:
• Command
• Support Services
• UEI (Unidade Especial de Intervenção) - Special Intervention Unit, consisting of:
• Command
• Three GOI (Grupos Operacionais de Intervenção) - Intervention Operational Group (1st, 2nd and 3rd), each
commanded by an officer and includes 20 to 25 elements
• One GOT (Grupo Operacional Técnico) - Technical Operational Group (4th) responsible for instruction,
handling explosives, police dogs and other technical instruments, such as cameras and night vision devises.
External links
• Pictures of the GOE: [2] [3]
• GOE course badge [4]
• GOE unit badge [5]
• Video of the bank robbery and the GOE action: [6]
References
[1] The New York Times, July 31, 1983. A New Armenian Death Mission. (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 1983/ 07/ 31/ weekinreview/
the-world-a-new-armenian-death-mission. html)
[2] http:/ / img458. imageshack. us/ img458/ 4909/ 24dd0hc. jpg
[3] http:/ / img458. imageshack. us/ img458/ 3510/ 15hg8as. jpg
[4] http:/ / www. agbmorais. com/ images/ emblemas_braco-psp/ psp-asa_goe_br. jpg
[5] http:/ / www. agbmorais. com/ images/ crachas-psp/ Geral/ psp-goe. jpg
[6] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=x_IAnY-R2-o
241
Romania
OMON
OMON (Russian: Отряд милиции особого назначения; Otryad
Militsii Osobogo Naznacheniya, Special Purpose Police Unit) (ОМОН)
is a generic name for the system of special units of militsiya (police)
within the Russian and earlier the Soviet MVD (Ministry of Internal
Affairs). As of 2008, there is an OMON unit in every oblast of Russia,
as well as in many major cities; for example, there is an OMON unit
within the Moscow City police department, and a separate unit within
Moscow Oblast police department. Their motto is "We know no mercy
and do not ask for any."[1] OMON also continues to exist in Belarus
and some other post-Soviet territories following the collapse of the
Soviet Union.
History
The OMON insignia ("Tiger" unit)
OMON originated in 1979, when the first group was founded in
preparation for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, to ensure that
there were no terrorist attacks like the Munich massacre during the
1972 Summer Olympics. Subsequently, the unit was utilized in
emergencies such as high-risk arrests, hostage crises, as well as in
response to acts of terrorism. The OMON detachments were often
manned by former soldiers of the Soviet Army and veterans of the
Soviet war in Afghanistan.
The OMON system itself is the successor of that group and was
founded in 1987, with the commando duties largely taken over by the
SOBR (dangerous ciminals) and Vityaz (counter-terrorism) units of the
MVD. The OMON units were initially used as the riot police used to
control and stop demonstrations and hooliganism, as well as other
emergency situations, but later became accustomed to a wider range of
police operations, including cordon and street patrol actions, and even
paramilitary and military-style operations.
• On January 20, 1991, the Soviet Riga OMON attacked Latvia's Interior Ministry, killing six people during the
January 1991 events following the republic's declaration of independence.[2] Seven OMON members were
subsequently found guilty by the Riga District Court and received suspended sentences.
• A series of attacks on border outposts of the newly-independent Republic of Lithuania during the January-July
1991, resulting in several summary execution-style deaths of the unarmed customs officers and other people
(including former members of Vilnius OMON), were attributed to Riga OMON; some sources say that the Soviet
OMON 242
leader Mikhail Gorbachev had lost control of the unit. Lithuanian government continues to demand that the
persons suspected in these incidents should be tried in Lithuania; one suspect was arrested in Latvia in November
2008.[3]
• Violent and often armed clashes between the Georgian SSR's OMON and the opponents of the first Georgian
President Zviad Gamsakhurdia prior to the Georgian Civil War of 1991-1993.
• The April-May 1991 Operation Ring by the Azerbaijan SSR OMON and the Soviet Army against the Armenian
irregular units in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, resulting in several dozen people killed and the
forced displacement of thousands of ethnic Armenians.
• Prior to the creation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the bulk of the fighting in
Nagorno-Karabakh on the Azeri side was conducted by the post-Soviet OMON units and irregular forces. This
included the defence of the village of Khojaly by the force of Azeri OMON and volunteers against the Armenian
insurgents and the Russian Army forces prior and during the Khojaly massacre on February 25 1992; most of the
group involved died during the ensuing slaughter in which several hundred of Azeri civilians died.
• The Moscow OMON and units brought from the other cities clashed with the anti-Yeltsin demonstrators order
during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, reportedly even beating up some members of the Supreme Soviet of
Russia (the Russian parliament at the time).[4]
• Cordon duties during the Russia's mass hostage crises, including the 1995 Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis,
the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis and the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis.
• Breaking up of several opposition rallies (including Dissenters' Marches since 2006), sparking reports of police
brutality, including excessive use of force and arbitrary detention of participants.[5] In November 2007, the brutal
actions of OMON against peaceful demonstrators and arrests of opposition figures were harshly criticised by the
European Union institutions and governments.[6]
• On March 24, 2006, Belarusian OMON stormed the democratic opposition's tent camp at the Minsk October
Square without provocation, violently ending the peaceful Jeans Revolution against the regime of Alexander
Lukashenko. Thousands of people were beaten and hundreds detained as the result of the attack, including the
opposition's presidential candidate Alaksandr Kazulin.[7]
• In June 2007, the Moscow OMON prevented the gay rights activists (including the European Parliament
members) from demonstrating the parade by detaining the activists. This is because they were instructed to do so,
as the mayor of Moscow Yury Luzhkov did not allow the parade to take place.[8]
• In August 2008, the South Ossetian separatist OMON took part in the fighting with the Georgian national forces
during the 2008 South Ossetia war and were accused of "special cruelty" in the ethnic Georgian villages.[9]
Subsequently, South Ossetian OMON fighters were included into Russian regular forces in area as a contract
soldiers and continued to be deployed in the highly-disputed Akhalgori zone.[10]
In Chechnya
The force was active in the First Chechen War where the unit was used as light infantry and in the notorious
"mopping-up" operations (zachistka).[11] In February 1996, a group of 37 officers of the Novosibirsk OMON were
captured by the Chechen militants during the Kizlyar-Pervomayskoye hostage crisis;[12] 17 of them were later
swapped for the Chechen fighters captured in the same incident. In August 1996, group of 30 Chechen OMON
members answering to Said-Magomed Kakiyev were reportedly captured and executed in Grozny, the Chechen
capital, during the battle for the city.
OMON is active in the Second Chechen War. Almost every Russian city sends, on a regular basis, small units of
police (often composed of OMON members) for tours of duty in Chechnya lasting several months, while the
Chechen Republic also formed its own OMON detachment. The force sustained heavy losses in the second conflict
as well, including from the March 2000 ambush which killed more than 30 OMON servicemen from Perm
OMON 243
(including nine captured and executed),[13] the July 2000 suicide bombing which inflicted more than 100 casualties
at the Chelyabinsk OMON base in Argun,[14] and the April 2002 attack which killed 21 Chechen OMON troops in
central Grozny.[15]
Control and discipline is questionable in Chechnya, where the members of the group were noted to engage in or fall
victim of several deadly friendly fire and fratricide incidents. In the bloodiest incident, at least 24 Russian OMON
officers were killed and more than 30 wounded when two units (from Podolsk and Sergiyev Posad) fired on each
other in Grozny on March 2, 2000.[16] Among other incidents, several Chechen OMON servicemen were abducted
and executed in Grozny by the Russian military servicemen in November 2000,[17] members of the Chechen OMON
clashed with the Ingush police on the Chechen-Ingush border resulting in eight fatalities and about 20 injuries in
September 2006,[18] and the Ramzan Kadyrov-controlled Chechen OMON clashed with a group of rival Chechens
belonging to the Kakiyev's GRU commando unit in Grozny, resulting in five dead and several wounded in 2007.
In the course of the Chechen conflict the OMON was accused of severe human rights abuses,[19] including
abducting, torturing and killing civilians. As of 2000, the bulk of war crimes recorded by international organisations
in Chechnya appeared to have been committed by the OMON.[20] An OMON detachment from Moscow region took
part in the April 1995 rampage in the village of Samashki, during which up to 300 civilians were reportedly killed in
the result of a "cleansing operation" conducted there by the MVD forces.[21] The OMON unit from Saint
Petersburg[22] is also believed to be behind the Novye Aldi massacre in which at least 60 civilians were robbed and
then killed by the Russian forces entering Grozny in February 2000;[23] one officer, Sergei Babin, was reported to be
prosecuted in relation to the case in 2005 and then to disappear.[24] [25] In 1999 a group of unidentified OMON
members shot dead around 40 refugees fleeing Grozny.[26]
In April 2006, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of the forced disappearance of Shakhid
Baysayev, a Chechen man who had gone missing after being detained in a March 2000 security sweep by the
Russian OMON in Grozny.[27] In 2007, the Khanty-Mansi OMON officer Sergei Lapin was sentenced for
kidnapping and torture of a Chechen man in Grozny in 2001,[28] with the Grozny court criticising the conduct of the
OMON serving in Chechnya in broader terms.[29] In an event related to the conflict in Chechnya, several OMON
officers were accused of starting the May 2007 wave of the ethnic violence in Stavropol by assisting in the racist
murder of a local Chechen man.[30]
Before and early during the Chechen wars, there were also OMON formations belonging the Interior Ministry of the
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Chechnya's separatist government.[31]
OMON in Russia
Information from different sources suggests that there
were between 10,500 and 15,000 OMON members
stationed at population centers and transportation hubs
around the country in the 1990s, yet by 2007 this
number officially rose to about 20,000 nationwide (as
referenced to as Innner Armed Forces). Members
receive a comparatively small salary of about $700 per
month in Moscow (regional units offer less). Most
members retire at the age of approximately 45 years,
and receive practically no financial aid from the state
afterwards. They are also sometimes not paid for their
OMON personnel in Red Square, Moscow
service (in 2001, for example, some 50 OMON
members from Moscow filed the lawsuit claiming they
OMON 244
The OMON groups use a wide range of weapons, including but not limited to AK-74 assault rifle, AKS-74U carbine
assault rifle, 9A-91 compact assault rifle, and PP-19 Bizon submachine gun. OMON units during a combat
operations may also use other weaponry typical for the Russian light infantry (the OMON troops in Chechnya were
sometimes called "OMON soldiers" in the reports,[33] especially in the so-called active phases of the conflict), such
as the PK machine gun, the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher for AK-74 or the GM-94 pump-action grenade
launcher, and the Dragunov and Vintorez sniper rifles.
OMON vehicles include specially-equipped vans, buses and trucks of various types, as well as limited number of
armoured personnel carriers (BTR-60, BTR-70 and BTR-80). OMON's headgear remains a black beret (they are thus
sometimes called "Black Berets") although otherwise there were significant changes in uniform and insignia. The
group members often use the blue urban camouflage uniforms and black face masks while on duty, and various
Russian Army and Internal Troops uniforms while in Chechnya. OMON of the Chechen Republic also frequently
wear American-made military uniforms similar to these often used by the separatist fighters.
See also
• Rus - A counter-terrorist and emergency situations unit of the Russian MVD
• SOBR - A system of the Russian MVD special units specializing in combating dangerous criminals
• → SWAT - The American model for the initial OMON squads
• Vityaz - Another counter-terrorist unit of the Russian MVD
• ZOMO - Former special police units in the People's Republic of Poland
OMON 245
External links
• Unofficial OMON webpage [34]
• The Kingdom of OMON [35], The eXile, May 18, 2007
References
[1] The Telegraph (UK), May 12, 2007: Russia's riot police show their fluffy side (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ main. jhtml?xml=/
news/ 2007/ 05/ 11/ wrussia11. xml)
[2] BBC News, 27 March 2007: Timeline: Latvia (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ europe/ country_profiles/ 1108059. stm)
[3] Novaya Gazeta, 29.11.2008: The unmasked face (http:/ / en. novayagazeta. ru/ data/ 2008/ 08/ 12. html)
[4] Memorial, April 1994: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS UNDER THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MOSCOW DURING THE PERIOD
FROM NOON, OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 18, 1993 (http:/ / www. memo. ru/ hr/ hotpoints/ moscow93/ oct93e. htm)
[5] Amnesty International, 16 April 2007: Russian Federation: Attack on public dissent (http:/ / web. amnesty. org/ library/ Index/
ENGEUR460132007?open& of=ENG-RUS)
[6] (Polish) Polska Agencja Prasowa, November 26, 2007: Milicja biła opozycję, Europa oburzona (http:/ / www. dziennik. pl/ swiat/
article87208/ Milicja_bila_opozycje_Europa_oburzona. html) (Dziennik Polska-Europa-Świat)
[7] TIME, March 25, 2006: Belarus: 'They Knocked My Husband Down and Dragged Him Away' (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ world/ article/
0,8599,1176933,00. html)
[8] The Associated Press, May 27, 2007: Russian Police Detain Gay Activists (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/
2007/ 05/ 27/ AR2007052700426. html?tid=informbox) (The Washington Post)
[9] The Georgian Times, September 15, 2008: “Resistance does not make any sense: they will kill us on the spot” (http:/ / www. geotimes. ge/
index. php?m=home& newsid=12473)
[10] Imedi TV, October 16, 2008: Ossetian militiamen join Russian regular army (http:/ / halldor2. wordpress. com/ 2008/ 10/ 16/
ossetian-militiamen-join-russian-regular-army/ ) (trans. BBC Monitoring)
[11] Human Rights Watch, February 1995: Russia: Three Months of War in Chechnya (http:/ / www. hrw. org/ reports/ 1995/ Russia1. htm)
[12] The Independent, January 20, 1996: Fog of battle clouds Pervomayskoye's ugly truth (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/ mi_qn4158/ is_/
ai_n9638659)
[13] The Sunday Times (UK), 9 April 2000: Chechens wipe out Russia's top troops (http:/ / www. cdi. org/ russia/ johnson/ 4236. html##10)
(Center for Defense Information)
[14] People's Daily, July 03, 2000: Chechen Truck Bomb Kills at Least 25 Russians (http:/ / english. peopledaily. com. cn/ english/ 200007/ 03/
eng20000703_44550. html)
[15] The St. Petersburg Times, April 19, 2002: Mine Leaves 21 OMON Troops Dead (http:/ / www. sptimes. ru/ index. php?action_id=2&
story_id=7009)
[16] The Independent, January 15, 2002: Russia invented ambush by Chechens to hide friendly-fire massacre (http:/ / www. findarticles. com/ p/
articles/ mi_qn4158/ is_20020115/ ai_n9668572)
[17] European Court of Human Rights, 2007-11-15: CASE OF KUKAYEV v. RUSSIA (http:/ / cmiskp. echr. coe. int/ tkp197/ view.
asp?action=html& documentId=825673& portal=hbkm& source=externalbydocnumber&
table=F69A27FD8FB86142BF01C1166DEA398649)
[18] The Moscow Times, September 14, 2006: 7 Dead in Police-OMON Battle (http:/ / www. themoscowtimes. com/ stories/ 2006/ 09/ 14/ 011.
html)
[19] The Washington Post, June 2, 2000: Civilian Massacre Fits Pattern Of Earlier Human Rights Abuse (http:/ / tech. mit. edu/ V120/ N27/
massacre_27. 27w. html)
[20] Institute for War and Peace Reporting, April 5, 2000: Chechens Rub Salt in Old Wounds (http:/ / iwpr. net/ ?p=crs& s=f& o=161280&
apc_state=henicrs2000)
[21] Memorial, 1996: By All Available Means: The Russian Federation Ministry of Internal Affairs Operation in the village of Samashki: April
7-8, 1995 (http:/ / www. memo. ru/ hr/ hotpoints/ chechen/ samashki/ engl/ )
[22] >Institute for War and Peace Reporting, August 9, 2007: Chechen Massacre Survivors See Justice (http:/ / www. iwpr. net/ ?p=crs& s=f&
o=337763& apc_state=henh)
[23] Human Rights Watch, June 2000: FEBRUARY 5: A DAY OF SLAUGHTER IN NOVYE ALDI (http:/ / www. hrw. org/ reports/ 2000/
russia_chechnya3/ )
[24] Los Angeles Times, July 03, 2005: An Unlikely Antiwar Hero for Russians (http:/ / articles. latimes. com/ 2005/ jul/ 03/ world/ fg-officer3)
[25] Prague Watchdog, July 27th 2007: ECHR on Russian war crimes: responses from Moscow and Grozny (http:/ / www. watchdog. cz/
?show=000000-000008-000001-000452& lang=1)
[26] The Independent, December 6, 1999: Rebels inflict heavy losses as Russian forces close on Grozny (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/
mi_qn4158/ is_19991206/ ai_n14275401)
[27] Prima, April 11, 2005: European Court of Human Rights finds Russia guilty in disappearance of man in Chechnya (http:/ / www.
prima-news. ru/ eng/ news/ news/ 2007/ 4/ 11/ 37974. html)
OMON 246
[28] The St. Petersburg Times, April 1, 2005: Chechen Court Sends OMON Officer to Jail (http:/ / www. sptimes. ru/ index. php?action_id=2&
story_id=3119)
[29] Amnesty International, 31 March 2005: Russian Federation: Russian police officer found guilty of crimes against the civilian population in
the Chechen Republic (http:/ / web. amnesty. org/ library/ Index/ ENGEUR460112005)
[30] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, June 7, 2007: Russia: Ethnic Tensions Mounting In Restive Stavropol (http:/ / www. rferl. org/
featuresarticle/ 2007/ 06/ 567245cc-8614-4c9c-aeae-ddd6fddf8766. html)
[31] Interview with the Chechen field commander Dalkhan Khozhaev (http:/ / smallwarsjournal. com/ documents/ khozhevinterview. pdf)
[32] Gazeta.ru, 27 June 2003: Moscow policemen want Chechen money (http:/ / www. gazeta. ru/ 2003/ 07/ 04/ Moscowpolice. shtml)
[33] Google: "OMON soldiers" search results (http:/ / www. google. com/ search?hl=en& q="OMON+ soldiers"+ & btnG=Google+ Search)
[34] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Russia/ MVD. htm
[35] http:/ / www. exile. ru/ articles/ detail. php?ARTICLE_ID=8580& IBLOCK_ID=35
See also
• Romanian Police
External links
• (English) Unofficial site [1]
References
[1] http:/ / www. geocities. com/ romanianspecialforces/ dias. html
248
Serbia
Country Serbia
Size Classified
SAJ HQ Batajnica
Commanders
Commander Lt. Col. Spasoje Vulević
Insignia
Badge of SAJ
SAJ The Special Anti-terrorist Unit (Serbian: Специјална Антитерористичка Јединица (САЈ)/Specijalna
Antiteroristička Jedinica (SAJ)) is Serbia's prime counter-terrorist unit.
History
In the former SFR Yugoslavia security services decided to establish a special team, which would be able to respond
to the increasing phenomenon of terrorism in Europe. The need to establish such unit in a time when in Europe
occurred various terrorist groups such as IRA, ETA, the German Baader-Meinhof, the Italian Red Brigade and
others. The first is founded on the federal level,13th May 1978[1] the detachment for special effects in the Federal
Secretariat of Internal Affairs - SSUP, and was appointed the first commander Franz Kos. After seven months since
the founding of the federal unit for special effects, a decision was taken to establish on republic and provincial levels
a unit with the same purpose. The Unit for Anti-terrorist effects (Jedinica za antiteroristička dejstva - JATD)[2] in the
Republic Secretariat of Internal Affairs - RSUP of SR Serbia was established at Novi Beograd Milicija station on
December 18, 1978. The first commander of unit was Miloš Bujenović. Main tasks of new formed unit were
classical fight against terrorists, to prevent aircraft hijacking, release of hostages, the fight against organized crime
and similar action of the high-risk in urban areas. In 1983 units base was relocated to the Belgrade airport and
renamed in to Units for special effects (Jedinica za specijalan dejstva RSUP). In 1991 unit was again renamed in to
SAJ (Special Anti-terrorist Unit) 249
Special units (Specijalne jedinice), and it's new commander was Radovan Stojičić. On June 1, 1992, Command of
Special Anti-terrorist units (Komanda SAJ) was established, with Živko Trajković as commander. It consisted from
Belgrade SAJ, under command of Zoran Simović Novi Sad SAJ, under command of Branko Ćuričić, and Units for
special effects from Priština, which was under command of Nuredin Ibishi, until he has defect from police to
so-called Kosovo Liberation Army in 1999. He was replaced with Radoslav Stalević. Headquarters and Belgrade
uint were relocated to Batajnica while maintaining other training centers at Paklenik, complete with a model town to
practice Close Quarters Battle (CQB) and urban combat. On December 31, 1999, Belgrade, Novi Sad and Priština
units were merged in to single unit under command of Živko Trajković The average SAJ member is between 20 and
35 years in age. Must be athletic and proficient in martial arts. Recruiting is conducted on May 13 every year.
Structure
Special Anti-terrorist Unit has two assault teams, A and B,logistics team C (snipers,K-9,EOD) and D team for
security and support.Medical group,Group for construction and searching weapons and ammunition,Logistic group.
SAJ duties include combating terrorism, insurgency, organized crime, hostage situations and high risk warrant
executions as well as VIP protection.
Equipment
Like most counter-terrorist units around the world, the SAJ have standard → SWAT equipment[3] with a substantial
arsenal of weapons and vehicles at its disposal. Among some standard weapons used are Heckler & Koch MP5,
Zastava M70, М4 rifle, SIG SG 552, H&K G3 SSG sniper rifles, CZ 99, riot control agents, stun grenades, and
various other weapons. Sophisticated communications are standard issued along with other specialized equipment
including heavy body armor, entry tools and night vision optics.
Of course a unit is only as good as its ability to get where it has to be. For aerial insertion the main mode of transport
are Jet Ranger and Bell 212 twin helicopters from Serbian Police helicopter unit. In operations that require traversing
in difficult and off road terrain, the most popular and abundant means are Pinzgauer's, Land Rover Defender's,BOV
(APC) and also one BVP M-80 ICV/IFV. In urban operations the SAJ use Audi's and BMW's for collection purposes
with specialized support vehicles at their side. The SAJ employs several different BDU's for use in various
environments. These being Urban, Temperate, Arid environments as well as night time operations.
Gallery
SAJ BOV vehicle and anti-riot SAJ weapons SAJ Colt M4 A4<ref>http:/ /
equipment. www. kalibar. rs/ code/ navigate.
php?Id=108& editionId=6&
articleId=24</ref> rifle
External links
• Ministry of Internal Affairs [4]
• Unofficial SAJ site [5]
• MUP special forces in joint drill [6] at YouTube (requires Adobe Flash)
References
[1] 30 Anniversary (http:/ / www. novosti. rs/ code/ navigate. php?Id=10& status=jedna& vest=128927& datum=2008-11-08)
[2] http:/ / www. srbijazemljaheroja. com/ saj_in_english. html
[3] http:/ / www. tacticaloptions. com/ browse_depts. asp?Cat=1& Sub=494
[4] http:/ / prezentacije. mup. gov. rs/ intersajt/ index-eng. html
[5] http:/ / www. srbijazemljaheroja. com/ caj. html
[6] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=snxH8J8RE28
PTJ (Counter-terrorist Unit) 251
Country Serbia
Size Classified
HQ Lipovica
Commanders
The PTJ (Counter-terrorist Unit) (Serbian: Против Tерористичка Jединица/Protiv Teroristička Jedinica) is a
special police unit in Serbia.
As its name states, the PTJ is oriented towards anti-terror operations as well as securing and maintaining the internal
security of Serbia. Often only used in such circumstances deemed too dangerous and sensitive for other police units.
Highly trained and equipped the PTJ is ideal for resolving hostage situations, fight against corruption, rescue, bomb
disposal, prime security concerns (such as airport security) and many other situations where their skills are
applicable.
The units within the PTJ operate with extreme professionalism and devotion to their responsibilities of defending the
public from all forms of harm and crisis. This has earned the PTJ great respect throughout the world as an elite
police unit among other such units as well as earning a place as one of three such special police units in Serbia.
Organization
PTJ is organized in four teams, two are specialized in the action in urban, and two for action in rural conditions.
Within each team there are attack groups, each with its own specific tasks, such as the official guide dogs, sniper
team, divers, experts for explosives and parachutists.
Training
Members of these unit, to carry most tasks conducted constantly training for action in the urban, and the action in
rural areas. PTJ for training has a teaching center in Petrovo Selo,Kula and Goč, with training ground and various
training facilities, such as towers for climbing, training facilities for intrusion from the roof in the room through the
window, the bus to training actions releasing hostages. Unit members regularly check their capabilities and physical
readiness, practice shooting, all the tactical variations, under the supervision of the senior team. All results of testing
knowledge and skills are evaluated and grades are an integral part of a year grades, and the highest annual score is a
ticket for the first team, which are the best.
PTJ (Counter-terrorist Unit) 252
Equipment
Units are equipped[1] with a vast array of specialized firearms including:Serbian-made 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm assault
rifles, FAMAS, М4 rifle, submachine guns, shotguns, riot control agents, stun grenades, and high-powered rifles for
marksmen (snipers). They often have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, entry tools, HMMWV
vehicles and night vision optics.
Unit insignia
Trademark of the PTJ unit is the mythical griffin, which has the body of a lion, head of a eagle head and wings of
dragon. The Griffin is an integral part of Serbian tradition and can be found in the monasteries of Dečani,Ravanica
and Studenica, and symbolizes the protector of these worlds. PTJ members use this powerful symbol and is worn on
caps and sleeve of uniforms.
Gallery
External links
• Official site [4]
• YouTube site Ministry of Internal Affairs [5]
• Police Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia [6]
• Training site [7]
• MUP special forces in joint drill [6] at YouTube (requires Adobe Flash)
References
[1] http:/ / www. novosti. rs/ code/ navigate. php?Id=9& status=jedna& vest=98333& datum=2007-01-05
[2] http:/ / www. cnn. com/ 2005/ WORLD/ europe/ 08/ 26/ spain. extradition/ index. html
[3] http:/ / www. blic. rs/ temadana. php?id=2042& pid=153& results=true
[4] http:/ / www. b92. net/ eng/ news/ crimes-article. php?mm=3& dd=29& yyyy=2009
[5] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ policijasrbije
[6] http:/ / prezentacije. mup. sr. gov. yu/ upravapolicije/ index. htm
[7] http:/ / prezentacije. mup. sr. gov. yu/ upravazaobrazovanje/ engleskaver/ history. htm
254
Singapore
Country Singapore
Branch Singapore Police Force
Size Classified
Commanders
Insignia
The Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) is the → SWAT/HRT equivalent of the Singapore Police Force. Its
official task is to provide the Singapore Police Force with a tactical armed-response capability, and its motto is
"Vigilance, Valour, Victory".[2] [3]
Duties
Pre-September 11
Prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the role of STAR was to engage in neutralising armed and dangerous
criminals, to resolve urban sieges that may involve hostages or firearms, protection of VVIPs and escorting of
particularly dangerous prisoners.[2]
Post-September 11
After the events of September 11, the unit was also to undertake anti-terrorism duties. In 2005, STAR acquired a
new maritime assault capability to augment the Police Coast Guard and the Republic of Singapore Navy in dealing
with sea-borne threats[5] .
The STAR unit has been involved recently in arresting a National Serviceman named Dave Teo Ming at the Orchard
Cineleisure Mall without firing a shot, as it has been since the unit had conducted operations back in January 1996.
[1] [4]
The STAR team is known to have sent officers extensively for overseas training attachments and study visits with
units such as Hong Kong's → Special Duties Unit (SDU), Israeli Border Guard's YAMAM unit, Germany's → GSG
9, and the Australian SASR. The officer exchange program with Hong Kong's SDU has been ongoing since 1998.
In popular culture
Fictional Television programs
• The Dragons Five (飞龙五将), 1995
• Frontline
See also
• Special Task Squadron (STS)
• Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response (SPEAR)
• Singapore Special Operations Force (SOF)
• Naval Diving Unit (NDU)
• List of special forces units
External links
• Official website [6] (English)
• Keshvani, N. (May, 1997). Police Life Monthly - ASP Steven Koh - the classic "tough guy" cop [7]. Singapore:
©Singapore Police Force
References
[1] Who is Dave Teo Ming? (http:/ / alvinology. wordpress. com/ 2007/ 09/ 04/ who-is-dave-teo-ming/ ) Retrieved on September 9, 2007.
[2] Unofficial STAR Unit Page. (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ world/ singapore_star. htm) Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
[3] Unofficial STAR Page. (http:/ / www. angelfire. com/ wa/ cagiva2/ star. html) Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
[4] The Strait Times. September 9, 2007.
[5] Police Coast Guard/Special Operations Command (2 February 2005). " Speech By A/P Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and
Home Affairs, at Commissioning Ceremony of the STAR Unit Maritime Assault Capability, 2 February 2005, 10.00 AM at Police Coast
Guard, Pulau Brani Base (http:/ / stars. nhb. gov. sg/ stars/ public/ viewHTML. jsp?pdfno=20050202998)". .
[6] http:/ / www. spf. gov. sg/ sites/ star/ index. htm
[7] http:/ / www. keshvani. com/ print/ policelife/ aspkoh. htm
257
South Africa
External links
• ShadowSpear Special Operations Community Website [2]
• (English) Specialoperations.com report [3]
References
[1] http:/ / news. xinhuanet. com/ english/ 2004-10/ 26/ content_2141469. htm
[2] http:/ / shadowspear. com
[3] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ South_Africa/ Special_Task_Force/ Default2. htm
258
Spain
Country Spain
Branch → Police
Role Domestic counter-terrorism, Hostage crisis, Organized crime, Diplomatic protection service
Garrison/HQ Guadalajara
Anniversaries 1 April
Engagements Rescue of Julio Iglesias, Sr., attempted arrest of Madrid train bombings suspects and many other operations
Commanders
Insignia
Abbreviation GEO
The Grupo Especial de Operaciones (English: Special Operations Group), commonly known as GEOs, are the
Special Operations Forces of the Spanish Cuerpo Nacional de Policía. They are stationed in Guadalajara[1] near the
capital, Madrid. The GEO has special response capabilities and is responsible for VIP protection duties, as well as
countering and responding to terrorism. Designed, set up and organised along the lines of many other special
counter-terrorism units throughout Europe, the GEO is specifically focused on dealing with terrorist attacks,
including aircraft hijackings as well as maritime threats and hostage taking.[2] The GEO can also be utilised in a
support role for Spanish Police operations outside the realm of terrorism, and is active in protecting visiting heads of
state and providing security for high-profile events such as the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona.[3]
Grupo Especial de Operaciones 259
History
With the intention of fighting against terrorism and several organized crime groups from Spain in the 1970s,[4] on
November 1977 the third section of Spanish military staff announced for members of the Policía Nacional vacancies
which could be accessed freely for the newly formed Grupo Especial de Operaciones. The first training course began
on March 1978.[5]
A select group who had been months before in the → GSG 9 base in San Agustín del Guadalix were selected to train
this new unit. Colonel Ulrich Wegener, along with some members of his unit, took care of the equipment, the
training and techniques which this new special unit in Spain would use.[5]
The first access course of the GEO ended on 19
January 1979, with a ceremony attended by Juan Carlos
I and Queen Sofía of Spain. It wasn't until 23 February
of that year when the unit was announced to the
press.[5]
Its first planned operation took place at Madrid Barajas
International Airport on August 1978 but they didn't
have to enter into action because the conflict was
solved before their arrival. The GEO's first action took
place in Bilbao, the 7 February 1981, in which five
hostages were freed from two armed criminals in a
branch office of the bank then known as Banco Bilbao
Members of the GEO on a sham fight of what would be an assault on
a building. Vizcaya. None of criminals, hostages or police officers
were hurt during the mission.[5]
GEO has had some noteworthy successes over the last decade. It was responsible of rescuing Dr. Iglesias Puga,
father of singer Julio Iglesias as well as foiling an attempt by ETA to attack the 1992 Summer Olympics in
Barcelona.[3] Aside from that, the GEO has unarmed several organized crime groups, arrested forty-one armed
members of different terrorist groups, freed 424 persons who had been kidnapped or taken as hostages[6] and boarded
twenty ships used to carry narcotics to seize their load and arrest their crew.[7]
During the 27 years it has been active, five members of the GEO have died.[5] The unit has had only one casualty in
combat, which occurred during the assault on the Leganés flat where the suspected perpetrators of the Madrid train
bombings of 11 March, 2004 were hiding. Having realised that they were trapped, the terrorists detonated bombs in
the flat killing themselves and GEO Subinspector Francisco Javier Torronteras Gadea.[8] This fatality was caused
probably by the fact that the agents who entered the flat didn't know that the terrorists could have explosives.[9]
As of 2005, the GEO was having problems with the number of members, which was below the necessary quantity.
This meant that riot control units had to be sent to Iraq instead of GEO members, as originally intended.[10]
Grupo Especial de Operaciones 260
Organization
The GEO reports officially to the General Operative Subdirector
of the Policía Nacional and its commander is a police
superintendent. Its 200 members are divided into an Operative
Section and a Support one.[3]
GEO's Operative Section is formed by two Operative Action
teams, a group of Training and Specialities and a Techniques and
Experiences team. The action teams are called 40 and 50 and are
under the command of an inspector.[11]
Each group, led by a subinspector, is split into two subgroups
formed by three operative commandos of five men each. Every Members of the GEO during a police assault
demonstration riding a VAMTAC vehicle.
operative commando includes two snipers, a lock picking
specialist, an explosives expert, a combat diver and a special
environment technician.[11]
The Training and Specialities operative team features the instructors of the training and refresher courses. The
Techniques and Experiences team tests new equipment and looks for new possible terrorist objectives.[11]
Administrative, medical and transport personnel act as members of the Support Section.[11] The vehicles of the GEO
depend on this section.[3]
Specialization
After having passed the access trial, GEO potential members go have to go through a specialization course in
Guadalajara which is not passed by all successful aspirants. It's hard, technical and very structured.[13]
There are four areas which all candidates must master: instrumental, juridical, socio-professional and police sciences
and techniques. Police science and technique features high-speed and off-road driving, lock picking techniques,
abseiling and climbing techniques, maneuvers with helicopters, transmissions, explosives and knowledge about
terrorist groups. Instrumental area is the one that deals with physical aptitudes such as marksmanship, obstacle
courses, martial arts, physical fitness, swimming, sniping, diving and proficiency with motorcycles. The remaining
areas are the ones that are focused on rights of terrorist groups and exchanging experience with members of similar
groups of other countries.[13]
Grupo Especial de Operaciones 261
Equipment
The basic uniform of the GEO includes: anorak, jacket, sweater, t-shirt, pants, boots and beret. Overalls are used as a
complementary clothing piece. During summer, GEO members use a short-sleeved shirt instead of the sweater and
the jacket.[14]
Aside from their uniform, GEO members also use protective gear which features helmets, Bolle Commando
protective goggles, balaclava, Draguër gas mask, ballistic vest, Safariland sheaths for SIG P226 and gloves.[15]
They also use vision-enhancing devices. They employ MATIS thermographic cameras, daylight thermographic
cameras, binoculars, PalMIr 250 night vision cameras, Philips BM8028A1 binocular night vision goggles, ITT
AN/AVS-9 binocular night vision goggles, ITT Pocket F6010 night vision visor and laser rangefinders.[15]
To communicate between them they use the Matra SIRDEE (Sistema Integral de Radiodifusión Encriptada del
Estado),[16] Motorola MXR-1000 and MXR-2000 models and VHF/UHF portable repeaters.[15]
For operations underwater they use other special gear. It includes: neoprene suits of different thicknesses, dry suits
for dives in contaminated water, "twin-hose" and "single-hose" open-circuit scubas, dive computers, underwater
robots for dives up to 200 meters and different dive support equipment.[15]
The vehicles the GEO uses on its operations include different types of cars and bikes, special boats, Police
helicopters and if necessary, CH-47 Chinook heavy helicopters of the Spanish Army.[3]
Weapons
GEOs utilize a wide range of firearms. The most common sniper rifles used by the group are the Mauser SP66,
Heckler & Koch PSG1, AMP DSR-1, Sako TRG-41 and TRG-21, Sako A-II (silenced) and Heckler & Koch
G3SG/1.[17] Their assault rifles are the SG 551 SWAT and SG 552, Heckler & Koch G41TGS and HK33.[18] They
use Franchi, Remington and Heckler & Koch shotguns. MP5 and FN P90[19] [20] are the submachine guns of choice.
Their pistols are the SIG P226 (9x19mm Parabellum) and the USP Compact.[15] GEO members also employ
electroshock weapons, which caused some controversy when Amnesty International denounced the use of such
weapons by the Policía Nacional.[21]
To increase shooting accuracy they employ several shooting support devices. Currently, they make use of Holosight
sights, AMT holographic sights, Schmidt & Bender 1.5 - 6 x 42 daylight sights, Simrad KN250F night vision sights,
Zeiss Diavari daylight sights, Varo AN/PVS-4 night vision sights, EDS laser sights and Sure-Fire flashlights.[15]
Bibliography
• (in Spanish) Fuerzas Especiales del Mundo. Alcobendas, Madrid: Editorial LIBSA. 2004. ISBN 84-662-0891-7.
External links
• (Spanish) Official website [22]
• (Spanish) Unofficial website [23]
References
[1] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Ubicación (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ ubicacion. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-13.
[2] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Operaciones (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ operaciones. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-13.
[3] Ryan, Mann and Stilwell, p. 110
[4] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Inicio (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ cuerpo. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[5] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Historia (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ historia. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-13.
Grupo Especial de Operaciones 262
[6] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Operaciones en territorio nacional (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ opera_nacional. htm)" (in Spanish).
www.policia.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-14.
[7] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Operaciones en el extranjero (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ opera_extranj. htm)" (in Spanish).
www.policia.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-14.
[8] Roberto Bécares and Olalla Cernuda. " Cuatro terroristas islámicos se inmolan en un piso de Leganés y matan a un agente de policía (http:/ /
www. elmundo. es/ elmundo/ 2004/ 04/ 03/ enespecial/ 1081016920. html)" (in Spanish). www.elmundo.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[9] " Uno de los GEO heridos en el piso de Leganés explica que nunca supieron si los terroristas tenían explosivos (http:/ / www. elmundo. es/
elmundo/ 2005/ 03/ 09/ espana/ 1110365634. html)" (in Spanish). www.elmundo.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[10] " La falta de GEOS (Grupo Especial de Operaciones) obliga a sustituir a parte de los destinados en Bagdad por antidisturbios (http:/ / www.
belt. es/ noticias/ 2005/ marzo/ 14/ falta_geos. htm)" (in Spanish). www.belt.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[11] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Organización (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ organiza. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-13.
[12] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Ingreso (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ ingreso. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-14.
[13] Ryan, Mann and Stilwell, p. 226
[14] " Confederación Española de Policía - Orden de 1 octubre de 1992 (http:/ / www. cepolicia. com/ tematico/ uniformidad_distintivos/
orden011092_uniformidad. pdf)" (in Spanish) (PDF). www.cepolicia.com. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[15] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Material (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ material. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. . Retrieved
2007-10-13.
[16] " Sistemas digitales para la Guardia Civil, policía y otros servicios de emergencia en España (http:/ / web. madritel. es/ personales3/ tsgnet/
tetrapol. htm)" (in Spanish). web.madritel.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[17] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Fusiles de precisión (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ fusiles_preci. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. .
Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[18] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones - Fusiles de asalto (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ fusiles_asalto. htm)" (in Spanish). www.policia.es. .
Retrieved 2007-10-13.
[19] " Web Del Grupo Especial De Operaciones (GEO) (http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ material. htm?reload_coolmenus)". Official Website of
the Spanish National Police Corps. . Retrieved 2009-06-26.
[20] " Grupo Especial de Operaciones 30 Aniversario (http:/ / www. lawebdelgeo. es/ especial-30-aniversario-geo. pdf)". April 2008. . Retrieved
2009-10-13.
[21] " Amnistía Internacional denuncia el descontrol en el uso de armas paralizantes tipo Taser (http:/ / www. elmundo. es/ elmundo/ 2007/ 09/
27/ solidaridad/ 1190893564. html)" (in Spanish). www.elmundo.es. . Retrieved 2007-10-14.
[22] http:/ / www. policia. es/ geo/ cuerpo. htm
[23] http:/ / www. lawebdelgeo. es
Unidad Especial de Intervención 263
Country Spain
Branch Gendarmerie
The Unidad Especial de Intervención (English: Special Intervention Unit, UEI) is the emergency response unit of
the Spanish Guardia Civil. Its motto is Celeritas et Subtilitas Patrio.
The unit was created on February 3 1982. It comprises approximately fifty people, admitted after a rigorous selection
procedure at the Special Training Centre (established on 6 August 1980), where candidates also receive intensive
training in special tactics. The UEI's equipment is among the most modern and sophisticated in the Spanish security
services, and includes: Ruger 44 revolvers, Glock pistols , Uzi and Heckler & Koch submachine guns, Accuracy
International Arctic Warfare Sniper rifles, Heckler & Koch G41 Winchester sniper rifles with telescopic sights. On
operations UEI personnel wear black uniforms; otherwise, for security reasons, they wear nothing that identifies
them as unit members.
The scope of UEI operations and total number of personnel are unknown. But it is known that the unit has
participated in operations against terrorism. One of its first operations was an assault on a prison following the
kidnapping of 6 prison workers by 5 inmates.
Unidad Especial de Intervención 264
Equipment
• Glock-17
• MP5 different versions
• G36K and G36C
• Franchi SPAS 12
See also
• Spanish special forces units
• Counter-terrorism
265
Sri Lanka
Size [1]
Approx. 6000 personnel
Nickname STF
Commanders
The Special Task Force (STF) (Sinhala: විෙශ්ෂ කාර්ය බළකාය Tamil: சிறப்பு அதிரடிப் படை) is an elite
special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Police specializing in Counter-Terrorist and Counter-Insurgency operations. It
was formed in 1983 not as a military force but rather as a highly-specialised → police unit. The STF heads
Counter-Terrorist missions and – as the most highly trained police organisation in Sri Lanka – it would be the lead
unit whenever law enforcement forces engaged the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). The STF is mostly stationed in the Eastern
Province of Sri Lanka where the LTTE was wiped out. Some small number of units have placed in Mannar District
and Vavuniya District. Other units are based in Colombo and provide VIP security. The STF is internationally
recognized for its expertise in these areas and it is often invited to assist foreign law enforcement agencies with
planning major events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in dealing with possible terrorist threats.[2] [3]
History
Following the insurrection in Sri Lanka in 1971, in which many Police Stations were targeted by JVP insurgents,
there were suggestions to train and equip the Police for duties above normal Police functions. However, nothing was
done until 1983 when the outbreak of violence convinced the government to form a special Counter Terrorist and
Counter Insurgency police force called the Special Task Force.
Formation
When the Special Task Force (STF) was formed in 1983, it comprised mainly of existing policemen. Trained by the
Sri Lankan Army in the handling of Infantry weapons and were given basic training in Jungle warfare, They deeply
resemble a para-military organisation and later separate training facilities for the Special Task Force have been
established in Kalutara, 96 kilometers south of Colombo. The first platoons formed were deployed in the North of
Sri Lanka to provide additional support for Police Stations and to stem the LTTE separatists.[4]
Special Task Force 266
The STF was enhanced considerably in 1983 when former British Special Air Service (SAS) crack teams were
brought in to provide specialized training in all aspects of Counter Terrorism and Counter insurgency operations.[5]
August 11 1984, that the Israel Internal Security Agency Shin Beth was involved in the training of the Sri Lankan
armed forces. Many officers belonging to Israel were also involved in the training of the Sri Lankan soldiers in
Colombo.[6]
Recently, the STF has received from Indonesia P2 APCs made by Sentra Surya Ekajaya to help the unit conduct
their counter insurgency operations against the LTTE.[7]
Operations
By 1987, heavily involved in the Sri Lankan civil war, the STF was in control of the area from Kiran to Potuvil in
the Batticaloa Division. The STF was deployed in Company formation into 15 separate camps. When the Indian
Peace Keeping Force was moved into the Batticaloa in 1987 as part of the ongoing peace process, the STF was in
complete control of Batticoloa, and had restored a level of normalcy to the area. From 1983 to 1987 when the STF
was in control over Batticoloa not a single STF camp had come under attack from the LTTE.[8]
Criticism
The Special Task Force has been accused of various human rights abuses including extrajudicial killings and
involvement in the disappearance of individuals.
According to a United Nations commissioned study conducted in 1997, the STF was the arresting agency in 5% of
the 1219 reported cases of disappearances in the Batticaloa district in North Eastern Province between 1988 and
1996.[26] Additionally, after a visit to Sri Lanka from 24 August to 5 September in the same year, UN Special
Rapporteur Bacre Waly Ndiaye reported the existence of allegations that individuals had died "while in the custody
of the Special Task Force of Sri Lanka in Colombo"[27]
At least two incidents of extrajudicial killings involving members of the STF have also been noted by the Sri Lankan
government or outside observers. Following the newest round of fighting between the government and the LTTE
starting in April 1994, the mutilated bodies of between 21 and 31 Tamil males were discovered in rivers and lakes
near Colombo. On August 17, 10 STF officers (and 15 others) were charged with committing the murders, which
allegedly took place at the STF headquarters in Colombo. In addition, at least 17 extrajudicial killings were carried
out by Sri Lankan security forces (including the STF) in Eastern Province in retaliation for LTTE attacks. Human
rights monitors "determined" the deceased to be "civilians", but security forces maintained that they were LTTE
members.[28] [29]
Equipment
Land vehicles
• Pindad APR - Armoured personnel carrier.[30]
• Unibuffel - Mine-protected APC
• Land Rover Defender
Mortars
• Type 84 (W84) 82 mm mortars
• Type 89 60 mm mortars
Small arms
Special Task Force 268
See also
• Sri Lankan Civil War
Further reading
• The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan[31]
External links
• President of Sri Lanka [32]
• Government of Sri Lanka [33]
• Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka [34]
• Sri Lankan Police Official Website [35]
• Official History [36]
• SpecialOperations.com [37]
• 'You give us courage, fortitude to safeguard country's unity and territorial integrity' [38]
• Sri Lanka Police Official Website excerpt [39]
• 21st Commemoration of STF war heroes : 'You give us courage, fortitude to safeguard country's unity and
territorial integrity' [38]
References
[1] " Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. state. gov/ g/ drl/ rls/ hrrpt/ 2004/ 41744. htm)". U.S. State
Department. 28 February, 2005. .
[2] " The Deadly Mahasohon Brigade (http:/ / www. strategypage. com/ dls/ articles/ 200791921302. asp)". StrategyWorld.com. September 19,
2007. .
[3] " Sri Lankan anti-terror police to advise on Beijing Olympics (http:/ / sports. espn. go. com/ espn/ wire?section=oly& id=2653935)".
Associated Press. 8 November, 2006. .
[4] "Strength, Sri Lanka". Photius Coutsoukis. 12 November, 2004.
[5] " Military Balance, Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. ipcs. org/ Military_militaryBalance2. jsp?database=1002& country2=Sri Lanka)". Institute of
Peace and Conflict Studies. 1 December, 2002. .
[6] " Sri Lanka: The untold story (http:/ / www. atimes. com/ ind-pak/ DC09Df04. html)". Asia Times. 26 October, 2001. .
[7] " Menhan Tinjau Panser Produksi Dalam Negeri (http:/ / www. dmcindonesia. web. id/ modules. php?name=News& file=article& sid=109)"
(in Indonesian). 2008-05-12. . Retrieved 2009-01-08.
[8] " Nuda Veritas on The Muslim Factor (http:/ / www. sangam. org/ PIRABAKARAN/ Part47. htm)". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. 15 November,
2002. .
[9] " Commandos take eight Tiger bases in Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. zeenews. com/ znnew/ articles. asp?aid=347548& sid=SAS)". Zee News. 13
January, 2007. .
[10] " Torture chambers used by Tamil LTTE found: Defense Ministry (http:/ / www. lankaeverything. com/ vinews/ srilanka/ 20070116005410.
php?PHPSESSID=5b999d49f4ce70e551fcbe69a4f56026)". Lankaeverything. 16 January, 2007. .
Special Task Force 269
[11] " MCNS - PRESS BRIEFING (http:/ / www. nationalsecurity. lk/ fullnews. php?id=3547)". Media Center for National Security. 17 January,
2007. .
[12] " Sri Lanka says captures Tiger lines, kills 30 rebels (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 01/ 16/
AR2007011600374. html)". The Washington Post. 16 January, 2007. .
[13] " Sri Lankan military seizes more camps of rebel LTTE (http:/ / www. kuna. net. kw/ Home/ Story. aspx?Language=en& DSNO=942304)".
Kuwait News Agency. 14 January, 2007. .
[14] " Elite commando forces of the police over runs a large Tamil Tiger base in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. tothecenter.
com/ news. php?readmore=637)". To The Center. 8 January, 2007. .
[15] " Tamil Tigers in a death groan in the East of Sri Lanka, after the STF capture of Janak Camp in Amparai (http:/ / www. asiantribune. com/
index. php?q=node/ 4102)". Asian Tribune. 12 January, 2007. .
[16] " Three LTTE camps tumble as STF advances in the East (http:/ / www. defence. lk/ new. asp?fname=20070113_09)". Ministry of Defence,
Sri Lanka. 13 January, 2007. .
[17] " Sri Lanka commandos capture truck packed with Tamil explosives (http:/ / www. chinapost. com. tw/ news/ archives/ asiapacific/
2007110/ 99637. htm)". The China Post. 12 January, 2007. .
[18] " Rebel base falls in east Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. sttammany. com/ news-detail/ article/ 780/ rebel-base-f. html)". United Press
International. 12 January, 2007. .
[19] " Rebel's camp captured in Sri Lanka's east (http:/ / english. people. com. cn/ 200701/ 11/ eng20070111_340346. html)". People's Daily
Online. 11 January, 2007. .
[20] " Sri Lanka probes aid groups for suspected rebel links (http:/ / www. alertnet. org/ thenews/ newsdesk/ COL227596. htm)". Reuters. 11
January, 2007. .
[21] " INGO Tsunami Aid Found in Newly Captured LTTE's 'JANAK' Camp (http:/ / www. nationalsecurity. lk/ fullnews. php?id=3421)".
Media Center for National Security. 11 January, 2007. .
[22] " Colombo tightens transport security (http:/ / www. gulf-times. com/ site/ topics/ article. asp?cu_no=2& item_no=126642& version=1&
template_id=44& parent_id=24)". Gulf Times Newspaper. 10 January, 2007. .
[23] " Sri Lanka probes aid groups for suspected rebel links (http:/ / www. alertnet. org/ thenews/ newsdesk/ COL227596. htm)". Reuters. 11
January, 2007. . Retrieved 2007-02-10.
[24] " MCNS - PRESS BRIEFING (http:/ / www. nationalsecurity. lk/ fullnews. php?id=3547)". Media Center for National Security. 17 January,
2007. .
[25] " Elite police overrun top rebel base in east Sri Lanka, says military (http:/ / www. iht. com/ articles/ ap/ 2007/ 01/ 08/ asia/
AS-GEN-Sri-Lanka-Rebel-Base. php)". The International Herald Tribune. 8 January, 2007. .
[26] " CHAPTER 3: BATTICALOA DISTRICT (http:/ / www. disappearances. org/ mainfile. php/ frep_sl_ne/ 78/ )". Final Report of the
Commission of Inquiry into Involuntary Removal or Disappearance of Persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. September 1997. .
Retrieved 2007-02-01.
[27] " Sri Lanka: Thematic Reports - Mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights (http:/ / www. hri. ca/ fortherecord1998/ vol3/ srilankatr.
htm)". Human Right Internet. . Retrieved 2007-02-01.
[28] U.S. Department of State (March 1996). " Sri Lanka Human Rights Practices, 1995 (http:/ / dosfan. lib. uic. edu/ erc/ democracy/
1995_hrp_report/ 95hrp_report_sasia/ SriLanka. html)". . Retrieved 2007-02-01.
[29] McDonald, James F. (November 1995). " AIUSA testimony - Sri Lanka (http:/ / www. infolanka. com/ org/ srilanka/ issues/ ai1. html)".
InfoLanka. . Retrieved 2007-02-01.
[30] Defence (http:/ / www. thesundayleader. lk/ 20090222/ Defence. HTM)
[31] Publisher : Citadel, Year:(June 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN 0806524154 / ISBN 978-0806524153
[32] http:/ / www. president. gov. lk/
[33] http:/ / www. priu. gov. lk/
[34] http:/ / www. defence. lk/
[35] http:/ / www. police. lk
[36] http:/ / www. police. lk/ new_web/ divisions/ stf. asp
[37] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ Sri_Lanka/ Default. htm
[38] http:/ / www. dailynews. lk/ 2005/ 09/ 01/ sec03. htm
[39] http:/ / www. police. lk/ divisions/ stf. asp
270
Sweden
Country Sweden
Size About 60
The National Task Force (Swedish: Nationella insatsstyrkan, NI), formerly known as the National Task Force of
the Swedish Civilian Police (Swedish: Ordningspolisens nationella insatsstyrka), is a paramilitary tactical unit
within the National Criminal Investigation Department of the Swedish Police Service. It is meant to handle
extraordinarily difficult or life-threatening criminal situations, such as terrorism, hostage situations, armed
kidnapping and serving high risk arrest warrants in cities too remote for the SWAT-units in Stockholm, Gothenburg
and Malmö to handle. It also deals with emergency rescue situations that would be too dangerous for other teams to
handle. NI's missions are identical to those of Germany's → GSG 9, French → GIGN and the FBI HRT in the United
States. In 2006, NI-officers were deployed to Lebanon to help evacuate Swedish citizens during the war between
Hezbollah and Israel.
Organization
NI has one head of the unit (currently Bertil Olofsson) with a number of subordinated coordinators, and a staff of
older, distinguished police officers. Under this management group the force is divided into 8 groups:
• Alpha
• Bravo
• Charlie
• Delta
• Echo
• Fox (snipers)
• Golf (snipers)
• Hotel (divers)
National Task Force 271
Selection
To be eligible for NI, the applicant is required to have five years of experience within the police force (of which at
least 2 years in active duty), a clean criminal record, and be able to pass a series of tests:
• Physical stamina
• Marksmanship
• Predispositions for several types of phobias, such as fear of cramped spaces, heights or water
• Psychological fitness
• Deep interview
• 10 days in the field
Service
Members of the NI works full time in the force. They used to work two weeks and then have two weeks of regular
police work but as the need for them increased they changed it to full time to cope with the demand and the need for
more training. Part of their training is done with the armed forces. Several of the members are former members of
elite military units, and the Nationella Insatsstyrkan is described by some as a military unit within the Swedish police
force.
Armament
NI has access to a wide variety of weapons including submachine guns (MP5), assault rifles (G36, AK5) and
shotguns. In addition, all operators use the SIG Sauer P 226 pistol as sidearm, which is the standard sidearm used by
all Swedish police officers. Snipers are equipped with the L96A1 AW sniper rifle (Swedish military designation:
PSG90). The special equipment of Nationella Insatsstyrkan is significantly different from that of the ordinary police.
Their equipment, such as communication radios suitable for diving and special ceramic bullet resistant vests, is
specific to the situations they would be called upon for.
See also
• → Piketen
Piketen 272
Piketen
Piketen (or Piketgruppen) is an emergency response asset of the
Swedish Police Service, similar to the → SWAT in the United States.
Piketen is called in when situations occur that are too dangerous for
ordinary → police to handle, such as hostage situations, arresting
armed suspects and arresting barricaded suspects. Piketen has one main
task and four secondary tasks.
The main task is dangerous situations in dangerous environments, i.e.
hostage situations. Their other tasks are serving high-risk arrest
warrants, riot control and escorting VIP's and other objects of value. This is Stockholm piketens emergency vehicles
Piketen has been active since 1979, and its creation was an answer to equipped with a ladder on the roof
They are stationed in the three largest cities of Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Some counties that do
not have a Piket-unit have local task forces trained by local police, which have almost the same training as Piketen.
Piketen is the best trained → police unit of the Swedish police, next to Nationella Insatsstyrkan ("The National Task
Force" in Swedish).
Weapons
The main weapon of both Piketen and Nationella Insatsstyrkan is the Heckler & Koch MP5, the Heckler & Koch
G36C and they both use SIG Sauer 226 as sidearm. Piket officers are very well trained in many methods of entry,
such as rapelling and door breaching.
See also
• Nationella Insatsstyrkan
273
Taiwan
Thunder Squad
Thunder Squad
Size Varies
Thunder Squad(霹靂小組) is the nickname of Wei-An Special Services Unit (維安特勤隊) of Taiwan's National
Police Agency, a highly trained → SWAT counter-terrorism Special Forces tactical unit established in 1985 to
conduct high-risk arrests and other dangerous law enforcement duties. This 200 man group is organized into small,
four-man elements, three of which make up an operating group.
Thunder Squad is also the name given to the SWAT tactical units of the counties level police departments in the
ROC (Taiwan).
External links
• [1] - Thunder Squad Training video
References
[1] http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=YHlULT4Ibdw
274
Thailand
History
Special Operations Unit "Naraesuan 261" was set up in 1983, Buddhist year 2526, by a Thai Cabinet Resolution. The
Resolution, dated February 1, 2526 (1983), was a major policy decision designed to provide a force for
counter-terrorism efforts.
The Royal Thai Police were given orders to setup training for a special division to accomplish these goals. The unit
was founded in 1984, Buddhist year 2527, and placed under the control and responsibility of the Thai Border Patrol
Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit or PARU.
In late 1986, a Royal Decree, proclamation number 14, reorganized the Royal Thai Police and Naraesuan 261 was
assigned as 4th company under the Border Patrol Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit (PARU).
Special Operations Unit "Naraesuan 261" has the responsibility of counter-terrorism and resulting criminal cases.
The company also plays an important role as executive protection for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen
and other members of the Royal Family when they travel around Thailand. Furthermore, the company acts as escorts
for other foreign dignitaries and heads of state visiting Thailand.
Organization Management
4th Company, Border Patrol Police Aerial Reinforcement Unit, consists of a Company division with a raid platoon ,
ambush and patrol platoon , explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) platoon , training platoon , and supporting platoon.
Training
Initial training was performed by members of the Royal Thai Police Department. Teams are divided up into units of
5 people following the model set up by Germany's GSG-9. Teams are trained in military tactics, sniping, waterborne
operations, martial arts, and operation of a variety of vehicles.
After initial training, groups pass on their experiences to other members of the Special Operations Company. The
Company will also assign members to train in foreign countries and bring the knowledge back to Thailand to further
help train the Company. Standard training is broken up into five parts:
1. International counter-terrorism training consisting of 24 weeks of training for new Police privates.
2. International counter-terrorism training consisting of 6 weeks of training for Police who are now in active service
as well as one week of anti-terrorism planning.
3. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training consisting of 12 weeks of training.
4. Sniper/counter-sniper training consisting of 4 weeks of training for those assigned to sniper positions.
5. Electronics proficiency training consisting of 12 weeks of training for those assigned to the duty of Electronics
Proficiency Officer.
The Company also takes part in cross-training with Special Operations divisions of the Royal Thai Military as well
as training with their counterparts in various units in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Germany.
Naresuan 261 Counter-Terrorism Unit 275
Operations
Special Company 'Naresuan 261' has cooperant escort duty for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and
other members of the Royal Family when they travel around Thailand. They also train female members as an
executive escort for Her Royal Highness Princess Siridhorn when she visits Border Patrol Police schools around
Thailand.
The company has been involved in a number of high profile criminal cases including:
1. Burmese student takeover of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok on October 1-2, 1999 (2542).
2. Takeover of the Ratchaburi Hospital in Ratchaburi Province on January 24-25, 2000 (2543).
3. Release of hostages from the Karen-Burmese rebellion at Samut Sakhon Province Prison on November 22-23,
2000 (2543).
These three major successful operations were all under the control of Special Company 'Naresuan 261'. In all these
situations, the mission was accomplished and the hostages were saved.
At present the Special Operation 'Naresuan 261' company is now developing additional tactics and has the support of
the Royal Thai Police to provide them with the weapons they need to perform their work with efficiency.
See also
• Border Patrol Police
• List of Special Response Units
• List of special forces units
References
• Unofficial Naresuan 261 site [1] (Thai)
• English Information on the Royal Thai Police [2]
External links
• Official Royal Thai Police website [3] (Thai)
• English Information on the Royal Thai Police [2]
References
[1] http:/ / www. geocities. com/ thaipolairborne/ n261. htm
[2] http:/ / www. nationreligionking. com
[3] http:/ / www. police. go. th
276
Ukraine
Berkut (Ukraine)
Berkut (Ukrainian: Бе́ркут - golden eagle) is a special reaction force of Ukrainian militsiya (police) within the
Internal Ministry (national → police authority).
Berkut is the national successor of the Soviet → OMON, responsible for high-risk police operations including
hostage crises and riots. Berkut teams participated in many actions of Leonid Kuchma's regime against the
opposition.
As of January 2008, the force consists of 2 regiments, 6 separate battalions, and 19 companies totaling 3,250
members.[1]
See also
• → OMON
• UBK
References
[1] (Ukrainian) МВС України (http:/ / mvs. gov. ua/ mvs/ control/ main/ uk/ publish/ article/ 73799)
277
United Kingdom
United Kingdom law allows the use of "reasonable force" in order to make an
arrest or prevent a crime[8] [9] or to defend one's self.[10] However, if the force
used is fatal, then the European Convention of Human Rights only allows
"the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary".[11] Firearms
officers may therefore only discharge their weapons "to stop an imminent
threat to life" [12] .
Training
Authorised Firearms Officers wishing to become Specialist Firearms Officers are required to attend an eight week
training course at the National Police Firearms Training Centre in Gravesend, Kent. However, the potential recruit is
only invited to attend the centre if they have successfully passed written psychological tests, and have been security
cleared. Usually, the role of an SFO is to intervene in situations that are beyond the control of AFOs, who crew
armed response vehicles. Potential SFOs are extensively trained on the safe use of specialist firearms, method of
entry techniques to gain access to premises quickly, abseiling and 'fast rope' skills, scenario training such as being
instructed to search a specially adapted training area of an aircraft, extensive use of tear gas and stun grenades, safe
handling of rescued hostages and rescue techniques, computer simulated 'war games' of potential threats such as
terrorist attacks, and training in the use of protective clothing against CBRN attack.
See also
• Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom
External links
• Metropolitan Police Service, CO19 [17]
• SFO, private site [18]
• Sussex Constabulary Firearms Unit [19]
• Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Firearms Unit [20]
• Thames Valley SFOs [21]
• Tayside Police Firearms Unit [22]
• "Limarcharlie" private website [23]
• Guardian article [24]
• Ministry of Defence official site [25]
• Police Service of Northern Ireland official site [26]
• Civil Nuclear Constabulary official site [27]
• Lancashire Police official site [28]
• Kent Constabulary firearms unit [29]
• Surrey Police, Firearms unit [30]
• Independent article [31]
• BBC article on police arming debate [32]
• Ministry of Defence Police Guarding Service [33]
• Gwent Constabulary, firearms unit [34]
References
[1] http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2004/ nov/ 04/ ukguns. ukcrime
[2] http:/ / www. devon-cornwall. police. uk/ v3/ about/ departm/ codiv/ operdept/ ou. htm
[3] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 3.2.1 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[4] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 3.6.6 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[5] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 3.8 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[6] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 3.8.5 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[7] Waldren, Michael J. (2007). Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945. England: Sutton. pp. 224. ISBN 978-0-7509-4637-7.
[8] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 117 or Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, Article 88
[9] Criminal Law Act 1967, Section 3 or Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967, Section 3
[10] Common Law, as cited in ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 2.3.4 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/
policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[11] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 2.3.7 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[12] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 5.6.1 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
Specialist Firearms Officer 280
[13] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms 3.2.4 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[14] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms Chapter 3.3.1 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms.
pdf)
[15] " Underzone - Police specialists - Firearms officers (http:/ / www. thamesvalley. police. uk/ UNDERZONE/ about-us/ specialist-firearms.
htm)". . Retrieved 2008-02-20.
[16] ACPO (2003), Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms, 5.6.1 (http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf)
[17] http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ co19/
[18] http:/ / www. global-defence. com/ 2003/ police_03. htm
[19] http:/ / www. sussex. police. uk/ features/ specialistUnits/ firearms. asp
[20] http:/ / www. devon-cornwall. police. uk/ v3/ about/ departm/ codiv/ operdept/ fu. htm
[21] http:/ / www. thamesvalley. police. uk/ UNDERZONE/ about-us/ specialist-firearms. htm
[22] http:/ / www. tayside. police. uk/ firearms. php
[23] http:/ / www. limacharlie. org/ index. php?id=1372
[24] http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2004/ nov/ 04/ ukguns. ukcrime
[25] http:/ / www. modpoliceofficers. co. uk/ default. asp
[26] http:/ / www. psni. police. uk/
[27] http:/ / www. cnc. police. uk/
[28] http:/ / www. lancashire. police. uk/ index. php?id=1212
[29] http:/ / www. kent. police. uk/ About%20Kent%20Police/ Policy/ m/ m12. html
[30] http:/ / www. surrey. police. uk/ services_firearms. asp
[31] http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/ hundreds-more-armed-police-to-join-londons-terror-fight-501825. html
[32] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ hi/ english/ static/ in_depth/ uk/ 2001/ life_of_crime/ police. stm
[33] http:/ / www. mod. uk/ DefenceInternet/ AboutDefence/ WhatWeDo/ SecurityandIntelligence/ MDPGA/ MinistryOfDefencePolice. htm
[34] http:/ / www. gwent. police. uk/ careers/ armedresponse. htm
Specialist Firearms Command 281
Commanders
Specialist Firearms Command (previously known as SO19) is a Central Operations branch within Greater
London's Metropolitan Police Service.[2] The Command is responsible for providing a firearms-response capability,
assisting the rest of the service which is routinely unarmed.[2] Within the media it is occasionally compared to the →
SWAT units of the United States, being seen as London's equivalent.
On occasion, they have been referred to as the "blue berets", as they used to wear these, today they are more likely to
wear combat helmets (of PASGT type).
was revoked, and at the same time Canadian Ross rifles were purchased in the prelude to the Second World War.
A review in 1952 following the Derek Bentley case found 15% of firearms in service to be defective; leading to
Special Branch and Royalty Protection Officers being re-armed with an early version of the Beretta automatic pistol.
Formation
The Firearms Wing, as it was originally named, was formed as part of the Civil Defence and Communications
Branch or D6 by its designation, the wing was formed in response to the murder of three officers.[3] The
Commissioner requested applications from officers within the service who had experience in the handling of
firearms, such as ex members of the armed forces or those who attended shooting clubs. The officers who applied
attended the Small Arms Wing of the School of Infantry to become permanent instructors for the services newly
formed firearms wing. Upon the officers return to the service they trained firearms officers.
After the unit had changed its name from D6 to D11, level 1 and level 2 officer roles were created. Level 1 officers
were made up primarily of instructors, only being operationally deployed after a siege had been established to aid in
the resolution of the incident. Level 1 officers qualified using the Webley & Scott .22 revolver, or more recently the
Browning .22 High Power self-loading pistol, with some officers being trained and authorised to use the Enfield
Enforcer 7.62 mm sniper rifle for counter-sniper roles. Throughout the 1970s, the branch increased in size, with
more firearms instructors being recruited to keep up with the increase in the demand for firearms training. During the
1970s, D11 officers qualified in the Smith & Wesson Model 36 and the Model 10 revolvers.
During the early 1980s, a demand for operational firearms support from the department was deemed necessary,
owing to the creation of level 2 officers. The role of a level 2 officer was to deploy to pre-planned and response
operations that neither involved the taking of hostages nor suspects with exceptional firepower. In 1987, D11 was
renamed to PT17, due to it now being a part of Personnel and Training. Officers at that time were issued with
Browning self-loading pistols, and Smith & Wesson Model 28 revolvers, along with training on the Heckler & Koch
93.
In response to operational demands, the department underwent drastic restructuring in 1991. The roles of both level 1
& 2 officers were merged together to form → Specialist Firearms Officer, which continued to have much of the same
role responding to pre-planned firearms operation, kidnaps, and sieges. At the same time a new title was created as
Authorised Firearms Officer to crew the newly devised armed response vehicles (ARVs) to meet the increase in
armed crime during 1991.[4] Using Rover 800 area cars adapted for specialist duties, ARV officers provided rapid
response to spontaneous firearms incidents, such as armed robberies, being the first such organised system the
capital had witnessed.
Along with the restructuring of officer roles, for the first time the department came under control of the Specialist
Operations Directorate, renaming the department to "SO19". Early ARV officers were issued with Smith & Wesson
Model 10's, with others being trained in the use of the Heckler & Koch MP5 semi-automatic carbine. Following a
further reorganisation in 2005, SO19 become CO19, due to the departments move to the Central Operations
Directorate, at the same time the department was renamed from the Force Firearms Unit to Specialist Firearms
Command.
Whilst the core function of the branch to provide firearms training and support, remains unchanged since its creation,
its role continually changes to meet the demands placed on it. The branch today fulfils very different roles to those
which its original members carried out 30 years ago.
All aspects of armed policing in the UK are covered by guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers
in their manual of guidance on the Police use of firearms [5]. This manual provides an overview of the basic
principles such as rules of engagement and tactics involved in the use of firearms by police officers in different
environments along with details of command structures that are in place in all pre-planned and spontaneous firearms
operations.
Specialist Firearms Command 283
Current role
Training
As of 2007, the Command maintains its training role and is responsible for training the MPS's 2,594 AFOs. These
include officers from Protection Command, Counter Terrorism Command, Diplomatic Protection Group, and the
Aviation Security Operational Command Unit. Along with the Flying Squad (SCD7(5), Specialist and Royalty
Protection Command and the Belmarsh High Security Court Team, as well as the armed officers from CO19 itself.
Some Territorial Support Group (TSG) officers are also trained AFOs, as the Central London TSG carry out armed
anti-terrorist patrols known as Legion Patrols.
Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), who are known to crew ARVs are invited to attend the Training Centre, after
they have undergone the written tests and interviews along with the successful completion of their probationary
period, with a further two years in a core policing role. The potential AFOs undergo one week of intensive training
on the Glock 17 Pistol, and the Heckler & Koch MP5 Semi-Automatic Carbine. This is followed by a further six
weeks of training focused on ARVs, such as driving techniques, high speed pursuit methods and safely executing
controlled crashes.
AFOs wishing to become → Specialist Firearms Officers (SFOs) are required to attend an eight week training course
at the Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre. However, the potential recruit is only invited to attend the
centre if they have successfully passed written psychological tests, and have been security cleared. Usually, the role
of an SFO is to intervene in situations that are beyond the control of AFOs, who crew armed response vehicles.
Potential SFOs are extensively trained on the safe use of specialist firearms, method of entry techniques to gain
access to premises quickly, abseiling and 'fast rope' skills, scenario training such as being instructed to search a
specially adapted training area of an aircraft, extensive use of tear gas and stun grenades, safe handling of rescued
hostages and rescue techniques, computer simulated 'war games' of potential threats such as terrorist attacks, and
training in the use of protective clothing against chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack.
Based at the purpose-built Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre (MPSTC), CO19 provides initial and
continuation training for all firearms officers within the MPS. There are roughly 24 different courses that are
provided by CO19 Instructors. Courses are based on the National Firearms Training Curriculum, to cover the variety
of roles covered by AFOs in the MPS. The courses ranges from Firepower Demonstrations (to highlight the dangers
of firearms to new MPS Recruits) and Initial Firearms Courses, to Firearms Incident Commander training and
National Firearms Instructor courses. There were 683 courses run at MPSTC in the 2006-07 financial year.
Specialist Firearms Command 284
Revolvers and pistols could be removed from the secure safe by ARV members, if an "immediate threat to life" was
posed, in the opinion of the ARV member. Authorisation to remove carbines required authorisation from the control
room once they had contacted an officer of ACPO rank. If a high ranking officer could not be sought to gain
authorisation, in an emergency it could be given by a Chief Inspector. In recent years ARV members have carried
their personal pistols on them as a matter of routine, and equipping of carbines rests on the judgement of the
individual officer, although the control room must be informed of events.
Each armed response vehicle is crewed by three uniformed AFOs. With each one fulfilling a specific role whilst
responding to emergency calls believed to involve firearms, the driver is responsible for getting the crew to the scene
in the fastest way possible, with regards to public safety. The navigator is responsible for deciding which route the
ARV takes, with regards to road diversions and other factors. The observer is responsible for liaising with other
services on the scene, and requesting more support if needed. Most ARVs are specially equipped and adapted BMW
area cars, identified as an ARV by the circular yellow sticker the front and back windows, along with a star on the
roof for helicopter identification.
All officers operationally deployed are routinely armed with the 9 mm Glock 17 self-loading pistol, and in some
cases the X26 Taser. Despite carrying firearms, officers still carry the standard issue personal protective equipment
(PPE) such as the; ASP baton, Hiatts Speedcuffs and CS/PAVA Incapacitant spray. They also have access to 9 mm
Heckler & Koch MP5 semi-automatic carbine, and L104A1 Baton gun. All ARV officers are trained to administer
Ballistic First Aid and are Emergency Life Saver trained. In many instances, ARV crews can arrive at the scene of
shooting before paramedics or ambulances, and are frequently required to provide life saving techniques on shooting
victims.
The workload of the ARVs has increased dramatically since their inception. In their first year, 1991, they were
actively deployed on 132 occasions. In 2006, they deployed 2,232 times in response to 11,725 calls to spontaneous
firearms incidents. The average response time of an ARV anywhere in London is just 4 minutes. In the Metropolitan
Police Service the radio call sign for ARV's is "Trojan".
Specialist Firearms Command 285
In popular culture
• As SO19, and now referred to as CO19, the unit often features in The Bill.
• CO19 (formerly SO19) was heavily used in the PlayStation 2 video game
series The Getaway as backup for DC Frank Carter of the Flying Squad CO19 officers on training exercise
and Sgt Ben Mitchell of CO19, the operatives in the first game wore
baseball caps, but the designers later reworked the model, with their headgear changed into PASGT helmets.
• In the TV version of Hellsing, Seras Victoria was a former member of SO19 before she became a vampire and
joined the Hellsing organisation.
• In 2007 film Hot Fuzz, Nicholas Angel is described as a former member of SO19, and is shown in flashback
armed with a G36 and full assault gear shooting an offender holding an AK-47.
• The novel Soft Target by Stephen Leather, The main character infiltrates a SO19 unit.
• The documentary In The Line Of Fire was focused on CO19 officers and debuted in February 2009.
Specialist Firearms Command 286
See also
• Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom
• Counter-terrorism
External links
• CO19 Homepage [17]
References
[1] " CO19 History (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ co19/ history. htm)". Metropolitan Police Service. . Retrieved 2009-02-13.
[2] " Main CO19 Page (http:/ / www. met. police. uk/ co19/ )". Metropolitan Police Service. . Retrieved 2009-02-13.
[3] " Unofficial London Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit (http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ Foreign/ United_Kingdom/ Firearms_Unit.
htm)". Special Operations. . Retrieved 2009-02-13.
[4] " Police Firepower (http:/ / www. global-defence. com/ 2003/ police_03. htm)". . Retrieved 2009-02-13.
[5] http:/ / www. acpo. police. uk/ asp/ policies/ Data/ firearms. pdf
287
Commanders
The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's elite counter-terrorism
tactical team.[1] The HRT is trained to rescue U.S. citizens or others who are held by a hostile force, either terrorist
or criminal.[1] The Hostage Rescue Team was founded in 1982 by Danny Coulson and completed its final
certification exercise in October 1983.
The HRT's purpose was, and still is, to serve as a domestic counter-terrorism unit, offering a tactical resolution
option in hostage and high-risk law enforcement situations. It originally comprised 50 operators; however, this
number has increased since to well over 90 full-time operators, but easily fewer than 500. The HRT commonly
functions as a national → SWAT team in highly sensitive or dangerous situations. Today it is part of the Tactical
Support Branch of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) and is based at the FBI Academy in Quantico,
Virginia.[2]
History
The idea for the HRT was originally conceived during the late 1970s but came to life when then FBI director
William H. Webster witnessed a demonstration by the US Army Delta Force. When Webster reviewed the
equipment used by the Delta Force and noticed there were no handcuffs, he inquired about it. An operator grimly
replied, "We put two rounds in their forehead, the dead don't need handcuffs."[3] The idea of the HRT started out as
an enhanced → SWAT and counter-terror team. The team would be capable of handling extraordinary hostage
situations, large-scale counter-terrorist operations, situations involving nuclear or biological agents, or operations
that local law enforcement or the regional FBI field office was not trained or equipped to handle. Final approval for
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 288
the HRT was given in early 1982, and formal planning began in March 1982. The initial HRT selection course was
held in June 1982 and consisted of three groups of thirty candidates each. Most candidates were experienced SWAT
team members. Of this group, fifty candidates were selected to continue on to more advanced training.
Upon completing its initial selection, the team began acquiring the equipment it believed it would need and
upgrading training facilities at Quantico. One of its very first projects was the construction of a "shoot house". The
building, which was built out of old tires, would allow the team to conduct live-fire training exercises to enhance
their shooting skills. The final touches were added to their facilities just before Thanksgiving 1982, and, after a short
holiday break, the team began its initial training program. After receiving tactical SWAT instruction, each individual
was given an expertise to research, such as explosives and breaching tactics. Each person also served as a liaison to
one of the existing elite counter-terrorism teams from around the world. In addition, nearly everyone was involved
with the Delta Force. As part of their liaison duties, the men attended training and exercises held by their assigned
counter-terrorism unit and shared experiences with the team. To bring all the newly acquired skills together, the team
spent roughly the entire month of January 1983 honing their shooting and tactical skills at Quantico. Then, the team
traveled to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in February for a month of training with the US Army's Delta Force. The
Delta Force provided the team with a wide-ranging block of instruction that covered a number of topics that would
be useful during their future operations. The team returned to Quantico to further enhance their new abilities and
maintain the skills they had acquired at Fort Bragg. The Hostage Rescue Team became operational in August.[4]
The team's final certification exercise, codenamed Operation Equus Red, was held in October 1983 at Kirtland Air
Force Base, New Mexico. During the exercise, the HRT, a local → SWAT team, and a United States Department of
Energy Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST) were tasked with assaulting a terrorist stronghold. The "terrorist"
group was also believed to be in possession of a simulated nuclear device, which was at a separate location and had
to be recovered or neutralized. After the NEST aircraft confirmed the location of the device, HRT operators
assaulted the terrorist safe house, secured the device, and managed to "kill" the terrorist involved in approximately
30 seconds. The FBI's senior leadership viewed the exercise as a complete success and granted final approval for the
team to become fully operational.[4]
Upon completing its certification exercise, the team began to expand its capabilities by sending small teams of
operators out for more specialized training courses. Approximately a dozen operators visited Naval Amphibious
Base Coronado to receive combat diver, maritime operations, and tactics (such as Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure)
training from the United States Navy SEALs. Other team members conducted helicopter operations and aerial
insertion training with the US Army's Task Force 160. The United States Marine Corps provided the team with
training in small unit tactics, night operations, and part of the HRT's sniper program training. Every operator also
received 80 hours of medical training. The HRT even went to Camp Peary for counter-terrorism training and "smash
and bang" courses in skills such as breaching barricades, running roadblocks, and defensive driving.[4]
Over time, HRT operators went off to US military, local and federal tactical teams, international, and private courses
to learn more about air assault tactics, rappelling, hand-to-hand combat, chemical agents, terrorist psychology,
surveillance methods, sniping/counter-sniping, communications and more. Whatever tactics they learned from their
training they shared with the team. Eventually, for CQB training, the HRT decided to make things more realistic on
advice from SEAL Team Six (later known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group or
DEVGRU) commander Richard Marcinko, and the HRT introduced blood bags and wax bullets. The wax bullets
were used for team-versus-team drills.[3]
The HRT became part of the Critical Incident Response Group upon its formation in 1994 because of the need to
consolidate the assets necessary to respond to a critical incident in one group.
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 289
Capabilities
The HRT's equipment and tactics are more advanced than any of the FBI's 56 field office SWAT teams or the 14
"enhanced" SWAT teams. The HRT's capabilities are more advanced because its operators (assault and sniper teams)
serve full time and train daily. HRT operators are assigned to one of three teams, one of which is a designated
maritime team.
One of the chief capabilities that easily distinguish the HRT from the FBI's SWAT teams is its ability to fast-rope, a
technique where the assault team rapidly descends a rope from the side of a helicopter. The HRT also possess the
ability "to deploy within four hours, with part or all of its personnel and resources, to any location within the United
States or its territories",[4] advanced tactics, night and low-light operation skills, the ability to operate in chemical,
extreme cold, or rural environments, and maritime operation skills,[5] unlike the FBI Field Office SWAT teams.
Maritime operations
The HRT as a whole possesses enhanced capabilities in the maritime domain, including advanced “breaching”
capabilities (the ability to circumvent locked doors aboard a ship), ship-boarding capabilities, and the ability to board
and operate on oil platforms. The HRT has three boats outfitted for maritime assaults, most of which have been
upgraded since 2004.[1]
The HRT also has a maritime team, which has additional maritime capabilities including subsurface diving,
closed-circuit diving (scuba gear that does not emit bubbles), and combat swimming. All operators on the maritime
team are military trained in closed-circuit diving and combat swimming. In addition, the maritime team assault
element has an operator who is qualified to pilot and operate a freighter.[1]
Aviation capabilities
The HRT operates a Tactical Aviation Unit, which is staffed by FBI special agents. The Tactical Helicopter Unit, a
subunit of the aviation unit, contains a variety of helicopters specially modified for the HRT's use. These helicopters
include eight military converted UH-60 Black Hawk tactical transport helicopters and several McDonnell Douglas
530 Little Bird light helicopters. Unlike the military, whose aircraft are not always in the same location as the tactical
operators, the HRT’s Tactical Helicopter Unit is literally right out the front door on a low hilltop. Also, the HRT
operates two C-5 Galaxy cargo planes for transportation purposes. All the HRT's Tactical Aviators fly daily.[6] [7]
Roles
The two chief roles of the HRT are:
• Hostage rescue
• Domestic and foreign counter-terrorism
Secondary roles of the HRT are:
• Apprehending barricaded subjects
• Helicopter operations
• High-risk raids, searches, arrests, and warrants
• Mobile assaults
• Manhunt and rural operations
• Force protection for FBI personnel overseas
To a lesser extent the HRT may also deploy teams or individual operators to act as snipers or to provide protective
service details to certain high-profile federal witnesses or dignitaries. Also, the teams of the HRT cycle out and
provide support to missions overseas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting Joint Terrorism Task Forces and
performing typical law enforcement activities such as making arrests, processing scenes for evidence recovery, and
testifying in court, at home and abroad.[6]
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 290
The HRT has performed traditional law enforcement roles during hurricane relief operations, tactical surveys, and,
on occasion, pre-positions in support of special events such as the Olympic Games, presidential inaugurations, and
political conventions.[8]
Operations
Since its inception, the HRT, or components of the team, has been involved in many of the FBI's most high-profile
cases, executing numerous operations involving domestic militant groups, terrorists, and violent criminals. The first
test of the team's capabilities came in the summer of 1984, when the team deployed to Los Angeles as part of the
security buildup prior to the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. Some cases have brought the HRT a lot of unwanted,
and possibility unwarranted, attention. The HRT came under increased public and Congressional scrutiny, along with
federal law enforcement in general, due to what some saw as heavy-handed tactics used at Waco and Ruby Ridge.
On the other hand, the HRT has been involved in over 200 successful missions, both in the US and abroad. Many of
these low-key operations have received little or no attention form the world press. Some higher-profile cases include
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 291
the Waco Siege, Ruby Ridge, the capture of the suspected masterminds of the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in
Africa, and the hostage rescue operations of prison guards at Talladega, Alabama, and St. Martinville, Louisiana. All
of these incidents led to changes in how and when the HRT is used by the FBI.
The HRT arrived in New York in anticipation of the offensive to thwart a Denver-based terror cell with ties to
Al-Qaeda on 17 September 2009. [10]
Weapons
When the team was founded, HRT operators used the 9mm FN-Browning Hi-Power Mk 2 pistol, which was later
supplemented by the 9mm SIG P226 pistol. In 1995, 250 .45 ACP Les Baer SRP Bureau pistols, built on a
high-capacity Para-Ordnance frame, were acquired for use. After an official FBI "request for proposal" in 1997 the
HRT demanded their duty pistol meet some grueling standards. Eight companies responded: Colt's Manufacturing
Company, Kimber Of America, Springfield Armory, Inc., Wilson's Gun Shop, Les Baer Custom, Pro Gun, Cylinder
& Slide Shop and C-More Systems. Each company submitted five pistols for testing. While all of the FBI's
requirements were demanding, the most rigorous was accuracy. Chosen at random, two of the five guns had to shoot
no more than 1.5 in (3.8 cm) at 25 yd (23 m) for three 10-shot groups from a Ransom Rest. Then the guns would be
shot for 20,000 rounds in an endurance test, after which a second accuracy test would be conducted with no more
than 15 percent degradation in accuracy being acceptable. The only pistol to meet the FBI's standards was
Springfield Armory's 1911 pistol. Springfield's FBI contract pistol, known as "The Professional Model" is available
to civilians at a cost close to $2595.00. As a form of quality control, the gunsmith building the pistol does not know
if the firearm is going to be issued to an FBI agent or a private citizen.[4]
HRT armories are also stocked with specially modified Heckler & Koch MP5 series submachine guns (primarily the
MP5/10A3 10mm and MP5SD6 9mm models) that have been outfitted with laser aiming devices, SureFire tactical
lights, and forward pistol grips. Several models have either an Aimpoint red dot scope or a holographic sight
attached.[4]
The rifles in use by the team are the Colt M-16A2, Colt CAR-15A2 Model 777, M-4/M-4A1 5.56mm carbines,
M-14 7.62mm, and H&K HK-33E 5.56mm assault rifles. The sniper rifles are Remington M-40A1 .308 sniper rifles
customized to HRT standards and generally outfitted with Unertl scopes. They also have access to Barrett M-82A1
.50 caliber anti-materiel rifles and 7.62×51mm Heckler & Koch PSG1 sniper rifles.[4] [5]
The team also uses modified Remington 870 12-gauge shotguns.[5]
Less-than-lethal munitions include single and multi-shot 37mm gas launchers, M-79 40mm grenade launchers,
Tasers, and flashbang diversionary/distraction devices.[5]
Additionally, the HRT has access to a wide variety of other weapons, such as the FN P90, Heckler & Koch UMP
(generally .45 caliber), or the HK53, if the mission dictates so. In situations where heavy fire support is needed, the
team has several M249 SAW, M-60, and M240 machine guns at its disposal.[4] [5]
Casualties
The HRT has suffered two known casualties, both training related. The first was James K. Mcallister[11] who died
during a fast rope exercise in 1986. The second known causality was Gregory J. Rahoi, who died in a live fire
exercise in 2006.[12]
In May 2005, an FBI HRT McDonnell Douglas 530 "Little Bird" conducting a fast rope exercise crashed.
Crewmembers received injuries, however none were life-threatening.[13]
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 292
Notable operators
• Danny Coulson — FBI HRT Founder and former Commander. Later, Coulson was the deputy assistant director
of the FBI. Prior to creating the HRT, Coulson served on one of the FBI’s SWAT teams, more specifically a
sniper team, and he later commanded one of the most active SWAT teams in the FBI. As of July 2009, Danny
Coulson is a successful security consultant, author, and guest speaker.
• Lon Horiuchi — Former FBI HRT operator and sniper who was charged with manslaughter following the
shootings during the Ruby Ridge standoff. The charge was dismissed and Horiuchi was later deployed during the
Waco Siege.
• Christopher Whitcomb — Former FBI HRT operator and sniper. Whitcomb spent 15 years with the FBI and was
involved with the Waco Siege, Los Angeles riots of 1992, and Ruby Ridge. As of July 2009, Whitcomb is an
American author and appeared as an "expert" on the NBC game show Identity.
• James K. Mcallister — The first of the HRT's two known casualties.
• Gregory J. Rahoi — The second casualty of the HRT. Rahoi was accidentally shot and fatally wounded at Fort
A.P. Hill in Caroline County, Virginia, during a live-fire tactical training exercise designed to prepare him for his
deployment to Iraq. Rahoi had been assigned to the HRT for six years during which he served three tours in Iraq.
He worked as a firefighter, paramedic, police officer, and lawyer in Wisconsin prior to joining the FBI. He was
posthumously awarded the FBI Medal of Valor for acts of heroism during his final Iraq tour, and his family was
presented with the FBI Memorial Star.[14]
• Thomas R. Norris — Original member of the HRT as an assault team leader. Former US Navy SEAL and a
Medal of Honor recipient.
See also
• FBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams
• Counter-terrorism
• Critical Incident Response Group
• → SWAT
• 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force)
• Manhunt
Further reading
• Christopher Whitcomb, Cold Zero: Inside the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (2001) ISBN 0-316-60103-9
• Danny Coulson, No Heroes: Inside the FBI's Secret Counter-Terror Force (1999) ISBN 0-671-02061-7
• Thomas H. Ackerman, FBI Careers: The Ultimate Guide To Landing A Job As One Of America's Finest (2004)
ISBN 1-56370-890-6
External links
• Official FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) page [15]
• SpecWarNet FBI HRT information page. [16]
Hostage Rescue Team (FBI) 293
References
[1] The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Efforts to Protect the Nation's Seaports (http:/ / www. usdoj. gov/ oig/ reports/ FBI/ a0626/ findings2.
htm)
[2] Federal Bureau of Investigation (http:/ / www. fbijobs. gov/ 116. asp)
[3] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=CtPxOn7FLR0C& pg=PA317& lpg=PA317& dq=hrt+ sniper+ school& source=bl&
ots=EUm3u6HsP9& sig=TZnMjOopVri59Um1NKFTZgAIL38& hl=en& ei=FnkYSqG-IZS8M6um3ZEP& sa=X& oi=book_result&
ct=result& resnum=7#PPA302,M1
[4] TacLink - FBI HRT (http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Federal/ FBI_HRT. htm)
[5] (http:/ / www. swatdigest. com/ archives/ swmag_apr_hrtpart2. html)
[6] [http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:O4U-BTp3PrkJ:www.fbijobs.gov/downloads/TSJQuietProfessionFinal.pdf+fbi+hrt+arsenal&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=u
[7] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=Hk85OiXX_T0C& printsec=frontcover& dq=cold+ zero& client=firefox-a
[8] Federal Bureau of Investigation - Investigative Programs - Critical Incident Response Group (http:/ / www. fbi. gov/ hq/ isd/ cirg/ tact. htm)
[9] Bookreporter.com - Author Profile: Christopher Whitcomb (http:/ / www. bookreporter. com/ authors/ au-whitcomb-christopher. asp)
[10] http:/ / www. nydailynews. com/ news/ ny_crime/ 2009/ 09/ 16/
2009-09-16_fbi_unit_set_for_more_antiterror_raids_in_queens_sources_fears_of_madridstyle_su. html
[11] Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI History - Hall of Honor for FBI Agents killed in the line of duty (http:/ / www. fbi. gov/ libref/
hallhonor/ mcallister. htm)
[12] FBI Agents Association for active duty FBI agents and former agents (http:/ / www. fbiaa. org/ memorial_duty. htm)
[13] People's Daily Online - FBI helicopter crashes (http:/ / english. peopledaily. com. cn/ 200505/ 01/ eng20050501_183445. html)
[14] http:/ / www. jsonline. com/ news/ 29219224. html
[15] http:/ / www. fbijobs. gov/ 116. asp
[16] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Federal/ FBI_HRT. htm
ATF Seal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 294
Agency overview
Formed [1]
July 1, 1972
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Agency executives • Kenneth E. Melson, Acting Director
• William J. Hoover, Acting Deputy Director
Website
http:/ / www. atf. gov
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 295
U.S. Firearms
Legal Topics
Second Amendment
Straw purchase
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (abbreviated ATF) is a specialized federal law
enforcement agency and regulatory organization within the United States Department of Justice.[2] Its responsibilities
include the investigation and prevention of federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession
of firearms and explosives, acts of arson and bombings, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. The
ATF also regulates via licensing the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in
interstate commerce. Many of ATF's activities are carried out in conjunction with task forces made up of state and
local law enforcement officers, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods. ATF operates a unique fire research laboratory
in Beltsville, Maryland, where full-scale mock-ups of criminal arsons can be reconstructed.
The agency is led by Kenneth E. Melson [3], Acting Director[4] and William J. Hoover, Acting Deputy Director.[5]
ATF has nearly 5,000 employees and an annual budget of $1 billion.[4]
Organizational history
The ATF was formerly part of the United States Department of the Treasury, having been formed in 1886 as the
"Revenue Laboratory" within the Treasury Department's Bureau of Internal Revenue. The history of ATF can be
subsequently traced to the time of the revenuers or "revenoors"[6] and the Bureau of Prohibition, which was formed
as a unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 1920, was made an independent agency within the Treasury
Department in 1927, was transferred to the Justice Department in 1930, and became, briefly, a division of the FBI in
1933.
When the Volstead Act was repealed in December 1933, the Unit was transferred from the Department of Justice
back to the Department of the Treasury where it became the Alcohol Tax Unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Special Agent Eliot Ness and several members of "Untouchables", who had worked for the Prohibition Bureau while
the Volstead Act was still in force, were transferred to the ATU. In 1942, responsibility for enforcing federal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 296
Personnel
ATF, as a bureau, consists of several different groups
that each have their own respective role, commanded
by a director. Special Agents are empowered to conduct
criminal investigations, defend the United States
against international and domestic terrorism, and work
with state and local police officers to reduce violent
crime on a national level. ATF Special Agents have
some of the broadest authority of any federal agency;
18 U.S.C. § 3051 [9] empowers them to enforce any
statute in the United States Code. Specifically, ATF
special agents have lead investigative authority on any
federal crime committed with a firearm or explosive, as
well as investigative authority over regulatory referrals
and Cigarette smuggling. ATF special agents also often
ATF Investigators working at a fire scene.
enforce violations of the Uniformed Controlled
Substances Act, and have the statutory authority to
conduct narcotics cases independently of the Drug Enforcement Administration or any other agency. ATF Special
Agents consistently rank at the top or near the top of all federal agencies in cases referred for prosecution, arrests
made, and average time per defendant on an annual basis.[10] Special Agents currently comprise around 2,400 of the
Agency's approximately 5,000 personnel.
ATF Inspectors and Investigators are charged with regulating the gun and explosive industry. These men and women
are not armed law enforcement officers but have administrative authority to search and conduct inspections, as well
as to recommend revocation and/or non-renewal of Federal Firearms Licenses to licensees who are in violation of
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 297
Regulation of firearms
ATF is responsible for regulating firearm commerce in the United States. The Bureau issues Federal Firearms
Licenses (FFL) to sellers, and conducts firearms licensee inspections. The Bureau is also involved in programs
aimed at reducing gun violence in the United States, by targeting and arresting, violent offenders who unlawfully
possess firearms. ATF was also involved with the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative, which expanded tracing
of firearms recovered by law enforcement, and the ongoing Comprehensive Crime Gun Tracing Initiative.[11] ATF
also provides support to state and local investigators, through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network
(NIBIN) program.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 298
Regulation of explosives
With the passage of the Organized Crime Control Act (OCCA) in 1970, ATF took over the regulation of explosives
in the United States, as well as prosecution of persons engaged in criminal acts involving explosives. One of the
most notable investigations successfully conducted by ATF agents was the tracing of the car used in the World Trade
Center 1993 bombings, which led to the arrest of persons involved in the conspiracy.
Criticism
The second incident was the Waco Siege of the Branch Davidian religious sect near Waco, Texas on February 28,
1993 when ATF agents attempted to execute a federal search warrant on the sect's compound, known as Mt. Carmel.
The Branch Davidians were alerted to the upcoming warrant execution but ATF raid leaders pressed on, despite
knowing the advantage of surprise was lost. The resulting exchange of gunfire left six Davidians and four ATF
agents dead. FBI HRT took over the scene and a 51-day stand-off ensued, ending on April 19, 1993, after the HRT
introduced tear gas into the main building. The followup investigation revealed the bodies of seventy-six people
including twenty children inside the compound. Although a grand jury found that the deaths were suicides or
otherwise caused by people inside the building, accusations of excessive force by law enforcement persist.[13]
Directors
A list of recent ATF directors:[14]
• 1970–1978 Rex D. Davis (b. 1924 - d. 2008)[8]
• 1979–1982 G.R. Dickerson
• 1982–1993 Stephen Higgins (b. 1938)
• 1993–1999 John Magaw (b. 1935)
• 1999–2004 Bradley A. Buckles (b. 1949)
• 2004–Edgar A. Domenech (1st time - acting)
• 2004–2006 Carl Truscott (b. 1957)
• 2006 Edgar A. Domenech (2nd time - acting)
• 2006–2009 Michael Sullivan (acting)
• 2009 Ronald "Ronnie" A. Carter (acting)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 299
See also
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Jay Dobyns
• List of United States federal law enforcement agencies
• → United States Marshals Service
• → DSS - Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State
References
[1] " History of ATF (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ about/ atfhistory. htm)". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 2009. . Retrieved
2009-05-02.
[2] ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ about/ mission. htm)
[3] http:/ / www. law. gwu. edu/ faculty/ profile. aspx?id=3241
[4] Acting Director Kenneth E. Melson - Bio (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ press/ 2009press/ 040809doj_ag-names-acting_director. htm)
[5] Deputy Director (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ about/ executive_staff/ depdirectorbio. htm)
[6] ATF Online - Press Release - 30th Anniversary of ATF (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ about/ atf30anniv. htm)
[7] As early as the year 1918, however, the Bureau of Internal Revenue had begun using the name "Internal Revenue Service" on at least one tax
form. See Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return for year 1918, as republished in historical documents section of Publication 1796 (Rev.
Feb. 2007), Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury. Form 1040s for years 1918, 1919, and 1920 bore the name "Internal
Revenue Service". For the tax years 1921 through 1928 the name was dropped, then was re-added for the 1929 tax year.
[8] Holley, Joe (January 11, 2008). " Rex Davis, 83; ATF Ex-Chief, Moonshiners' Foe (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/
article/ 2008/ 01/ 10/ AR2008011003831. html)". Washington Post: p. B07. . Retrieved 2009-05-04.
[9] http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ 18/ 3051. html
[10] " Prison sentences which initially rose have now fallen (http:/ / trac. syr. edu/ tracatf/ trends/ v04/ agenmedtimeG. html)". Transactional
Records Access Clearinghouse. Syracuse University. . Retrieved 2009-05-18.
[11] " ATF Snapshot (2006) (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ about/ snap2006. htm)". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. .
[12] " D.O.J. Office of Professional Responsibility Ruby Ridge Task Force Report (http:/ / www. justice. gov/ opr/ readingroom/
rubyreportcover_39. pdf)". U.S. Department of Justice. June 10, 1994. . Retrieved 2009-04-30.
[13] David Thibodeau. The Truth About Waco (http:/ / www. salon. com/ news/ feature/ 1999/ 09/ 09/ waco/ ). Salon.com
[14] " United States Government (http:/ / www. worldstatesmen. org/ USA_govt. html#atf)". World Statesmen.org. Ben Cahoon. . Retrieved
2009-04-30.
• Moore, Jim (2001) [1997]. Very special agents: the inside story of America's most controversial law enforcement
agency--the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (http://books.google.com/
books?id=b-UVWCzpD5YC&pg=PA306&lpg=PA306&dq=("John+Magaw"++OR+"John+W.+Magaw"+
OR+"J+W+Magaw"+OR+"Magaw,+John")+1935&source=bl&ots=aMUMhJ1X3a&
sig=458yNpr9pbNmORjJ7R4ruagyveE&hl=en&ei=SFH7Sd2gN5LyMtX5oLUE&sa=X&oi=book_result&
ct=result&resnum=4) (reprint, illustrated ed.). University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252070259
pages=306–307. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 300
External links
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website (http://www.atf.gov/)
• ATF BADGE (http://www.insigniaspoliciales.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1225/
)
• ATF Regulations (http://www.atf.gov/regulations/index.htm) (Search ATF Regulations) (http://www.
access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/cfrassemble.cgi?title=200327)
• Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, And Explosives Bureau Meeting Notices and Rule Changes (http://
thefederalregister.com/b.p/agency/Alcohol,_Tobacco,_Firearms,_and_Explosives_Bureau/) from The Federal
Register RSS Feed (http://thefederalregister.com/rss/agency/
Alcohol,_Tobacco,_Firearms,_and_Explosives_Bureau/)
• U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service (http://www.state.gov/m/ds/) (DSS)
• Proposed and finalized federal regulations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (http:/
/openregs.com/agencies/view/132/bureau_of_alcohol_tobacco_firearms_and_explosives)
Diplomatic Security Service 301
Agency overview
Formed 1985
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Agents 1500
Field Offices 8
Resident Agencies 15
Facilities
Website
http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/
Footnotes
Visa fraud, Passport fraud, Protection of the Secretary of State, visiting foreign dignitaries, U.S. Ambassadors overseas and U.S.
embassies and consulates
The U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Department of
State. The majority of its Special Agents are members of the Foreign Service and federal law enforcement agents at
the same time, making them unique. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the parent organization of the
Diplomatic Security Service. Both terms, DSS or DS, are used interchangeably within the State Department and
other agencies to refer to the DSS. The DSS was structured as a federal law enforcement agency, primarily made up
of U.S. Federal Agents mandated to serve overseas and domestically. Diplomatic Security Service is the most widely
represented law enforcement organization in the world.
Overview
As federal agents, all DSS Special Agents have the power to arrest, carry firearms, and serve arrest warrants and
other court processes. DSS Special Agents protect the U.S. Secretary of State and foreign dignitaries. The State
Department's web site says that "The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and law enforcement arm of
the U.S. Department of State. DS is a world leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security,
counterterrorism, security technology, and protection of people, property, and information.".[1]
When assigned to domestic field offices, DSS Special Agents are responsible for conducting investigations into
passport and visa fraud as well as providing protection for the United States Secretary of State and others. Overseas,
DSS Special Agents are called Regional Security Officers (RSOs), and are charged with the security and law
enforcement duties at U.S. missions, embassies, and consular posts. The Diplomatic Security Service is the lead U.S.
investigatory agency in cases of international terrorism, although this function may be detailed to the FBI.
There are approximately 1,500 DS Special Agents. Special Agents are sometimes referred to as "DS Agents" or
"DSS Agents." Both terms are used interchangeably within the agency and other organizations.
Unlike all other civilian federal law enforcement officers, DSS agents must serve multiple-year tours overseas as a
condition of employment. When not at an overseas assignment, they serve domestically, in field offices and HQ
positions. A minority of DSS agents are members of the State Department's civil service (GS-1811) and do not serve
tours overseas; they focus on criminal work and dignitary protection within the United States.
Diplomatic Security Service 303
Hiring process
DSS agents are hired after an intensive evaluation process that includes a Foreign Service Board of Examiners
writing evaluation, knowledge-based test, panel interview and situational judgment exercises carried out by veteran
DSS agents. Those selected undergo a comprehensive medical examination needed for worldwide availability, as
well as an exhaustive background investigation for security clearance at the level of top secret/sensitive
compartmentalized information (TS/SCI). A final suitability review and vote by a Foreign Service panel evaluates a
candidate's overall ability to represent the interests of the United States as a diplomat abroad. All agents have at least
a four year university degree. Agent candidates must be under the age of 37 at the time of commissioning.
Training
After a new agent candidate is hired, he or she begins a six month training program that includes the Criminal
Investigator Training Program (CITP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) (pronounced
flet-see) in Glynco, Georgia; a Basic Special Agent Course at the Diplomatic Security Training Center, and courses
at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Arlington, Virginia. A new agent is usually assigned to a domestic field
office for two years before taking on an overseas assignment, although an agent can expect to be sent on frequent
temporary duty assignments overseas even when assigned to a domestic post. However, agents may be called
overseas much earlier depending on the needs of DSS. As members of the Foreign Service, agents are expected to
spend most of their career living and working overseas, often in hazardous environments or less developed countries
throughout the world.
• Basic Special Agent Course (BSAC) (including FLETC): 7 months
• Basic Regional Security Office Course (RSO School): 3 months
• High Threat Tactical Training (HTT): 2 months
• Language Training: 2-12 months per language
Protection work
DSS is the agency identified to accept high threat protection assignments around the globe. The largest permanent
dignitary protection detail carried out by DSS agents is on the Secretary of State (currently Hillary Rodham Clinton).
DSS also has an ongoing protection detail on the United States Ambassador to the United Nations (currently Susan
Rice).
Most all other 'details' are on visiting foreign dignitaries and diplomats, and are on a temporary basis for the duration
of a dignitary's visit. Foreign Ministers from important nations, as well as those with threats, are typically covered by
DSS.
DSS has the authority to provide protection for Foreign Heads of State, and did so through the early 1970s. At that
time there was an order signed by President Richard Nixon also giving this authority to the → U.S. Secret Service
(USSS), which has protected heads of state ever since. The appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State
raised the question of whether and when the Secret Service or DSS would provide protection. As former First Lady
Clinton receives Secret Service protection, as does her husband, who would, presumably, occasionally accompany
her on official trips. However, DSS has been named the lead agency to carry out the protection for Secretary Clinton.
DSS agents have protected such people as Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas[2] the Dalai Lama, Zalmay Khalilzad and Boris Yeltsin (in the days preceding the
collapse of the Soviet Union).[3]
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Office of Foreign Missions is responsible for the protection of foreign
embassies and consulates on U.S. soil[4] . Since the DSS does not have a true uniformed force with police powers,
other agencies or local police departments are reimbursed for providing this service. Two notable examples of this
are the Secret Service Uniformed Division in Washington, DC and the New York City Police Department in New
Diplomatic Security Service 304
York City.
During the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, DSS, as well as the USSS, protects
many dozens of varied dignitaries, mostly in New York City. DSS may also provide protection to others as assigned,
including foreign persons without any government status, but who might have a threat against them [5] . DSS also
protects certain U.S. Ambassadors overseas. Currently, the protection detail for the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq,
Christopher R. Hill, is one of the largest critical threat protection details in the history of DSS.
DSS has also protected or does protect the Presidents of Afghanistan, Haiti and Liberia. What makes these 'details'
unique is that the protection, done by U.S. federal agents - DSS, is carried out overseas, in the protected person's
home country.[6] [7]
Counterintelligence
The Diplomatic Security Service Office of Investigations and Counterintelligence (DS/ICI/CI) conducts a robust
counterintelligence program designed to deter, detect, and neutralize the efforts of foreign intelligence services
targeting Department of State personnel, facilities, and diplomatic missions worldwide.
The office's counterintelligence division conducts aggressive counterintelligence inquires and counterespionage
investigations with other U.S. Government agencies. Counterespionage investigations are conducted in close
coordination with the FBI in accordance with their legal mandates.
The division conducts numerous counterintelligence and security awareness training programs for all U.S.
Government personnel requesting or having access to sensitive Department of State facilities and information. All
training programs enhance the understanding of both foreign intelligence and espionage threats and
countermeasures, and educate employees on the foreign intelligence environment.
In addition, the office relies on a cadre of security engineers to deter, detect, and neutralize attempts by foreign
intelligence services to technically penetrate U.S. office buildings and residences. These efforts range from detecting
a simple listening device in the wall to countering the most sophisticated electronic eavesdropping devices and
systems.[9]
On June 4, 2009 the DSS and the FBI arrested former Department of State employee Walter Kendall Myers on
charges of serving as an illegal agent of the Cuban government for nearly 30 years and conspiring to provide
classified U.S. information to the Cuban government. Mr. Myers’ arrest is the culmination of a three-year joint
DSS/FBI investigation.[10][11] [12]
Counterterrorism
The Diplomatic Security Service maintains agents in dozens of Joint Terrorism Task Force operations around the
country. The Office of Protective Intelligence and Investigations (PII) in the Threat Intelligence and Analysis
division has DSS Special Agents who travel all over the world investigating threats to the Secretary of State and U.S.
Embassies and Consulates. DSS Special Agents on the New York JTTF provided critical information in the
immediate aftermath of 9/11 and DSS Agents assigned as Regional Security Officers around the world tracked down
leads for the FBI and other federal agencies. Any time there is a threat or an attack against a U.S. Embassy or
Consulate, DSS Special Agents are the first on the scene to investigate.
Other investigations
The Diplomatic Security Service investigates crimes against State Department personnel and other U.S. Government
personnel and families assigned under Chief of Mission authority at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. DSS
Special Agents have investigated thefts, assaults, rapes, and murders, among other charges, around the world. Unlike
investigations conducted in the United States by other federal agencies, DSS Agents have to work jointly with their
foreign counterparts in often hostile areas of the world.
On January 28, 2009, a news story broke about a CIA station chief in Algiers, Algeria who was under investigation
by DSS for having allegedly raped two Muslim women.[13] [14]
Diplomatic Security Service 306
Fugitives
Because the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service is the most widely represented law enforcement
organization in the world, DSS’s capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid
prosecution is unmatched. During 2007, DSS assisted in the resolution of 113 international fugitive cases from over
30 different countries.
DSS Special Agents located and returned Jared Ravin Yaffe from Brazil. Yaffe, wanted in California for multiple
counts of alleged child sexual assault, kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, was returned to the
United States on May 12, 2009, to face trial. On February 11, 2009, the United States District Court, Southern
District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for Yaffe for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Yaffe was
profiled on the television show America’s Most Wanted on April 11, 2009.[15]
On September 19, 2009, Special Agents from the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)
located Derrick Yancey, a former Deputy Sheriff from DeKalb County Georgia, in Punta Gorda, Belize. Yancey was
wanted in Georgia for double murder of his wife Linda Yancey and a day laborer. Upon arrival at a local bar, at 6:05
PM local time, a DSS agent tapped on Yancey's shoulder and told him "It is time to go." Belize authorities then
arrested Yancey. Yancey was featured on America's Most Wanted.
Overseas service
The performance of these agents is rated by the RSO or the Deputy RSO and is reviewed by the Consul General.
There are several other overseas positions filled by DSS agents. At new building construction sites, agents will serve
as the Site Security Manager where they will supervise the overall security of the new building including the
Construction Security Technicians (CST) and Cleared American Guards (CAG). For construction at posts where
there is a critical counterintelligence (CI) threat, agents will also serve as CI investigators dedicated to preventing
compromise of the most sensitive spaces within the new embassy.
It is common for domestically assigned DSS agents to serve temporary duty (TDY) at Embassies overseas. Such
duty can range from various types of protection duties to RSO support or security training for an overseas post, and
may last for as little as a few days to multiple months.
DSS history
The origins of the DSS go back to 1916 with a handful of agents assigned special duties directly by the Secretary of
State, Robert Lansing. Headed by a Chief Special Agent, who was also called Special Assistant to the Secretary,
these agents worked in Washington, D.C., and New York City. This group of agents would sometimes be referred to
as the office of the Chief Special Agent. They were operated with private funds from the Secretary's office.
Conducting sensitive investigations, they focused mainly on foreign agents and their activities in the United States
(this in the days before the CIA; and before the FBI became the primary domestic intelligence organization for the
U.S.).
Diplomatic Security Service 308
The assumption is that the name "Office of the Chief Special Agent," which was sometimes used in 1916, and to this
day by various information portals to include the Department of State's website, to downplay the bureau's original
mission.
After 1918, when Congress passed laws requiring passports for Americans returning from overseas, and visas for
aliens entering the United States, State Department agents began investigating passport and visa fraud. Around this
same time State Department agents began protecting distinguished visitors to the United States. During World War I
the Chief Special Agent's office had the responsibility for interning and exchanging diplomatic officials of enemy
powers. By the 1920s the Chief Special Agent, no longer reporting his office's activities directly to the Secretary of
State, began reporting to the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration. Within the next two decades major
passport fraud activities were detected worldwide, often involving both Communists and Nazis. Many of these fraud
rings were exposed and neutralized.
The DSS, technically a sub unit of DS, had a director placed at its head. The Director of DSS is an active DSS agent,
and is often referred to by a term more familiar: the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS), as he/she is senior
to the various Assistant Directors of Diplomatic Security who hold positions equivalent to Deputy Assistant
Secretary (DAS). The PDAS designation signifies the DSS director's preeminence over the other DASs within DS,
while at the same time signifying his/her position under the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security.
The first several Assistant Secretaries for DS were senior Foreign Service Officers, the last three have been senior
law enforcement, brought in from other law enforcement agencies. With the creation of DS and the DSS, its ranks
grew to well over 1,000 agents. However, by the mid 1990s budget cutbacks were foisted on the U.S. State
Department by Congress and the Department in turn trimmed the budget of DSS to the point where it had dwindled
to a little over 600 agents. At the time this seemed justified by Department hierarchy who thought DS was growing
much too fast in over-reaction to the Beirut bombings.
Although DS was by then a Bureau within the State Department, overseas the vast majority of RSOs continued to
report to the Administration Officer. This changed in 1999, as fallout from the east Africa embassy bombings of
1998. The terse message from the then Undersecretary for Management announcing the immediate change made it
clear that this action was against his best judgment and insinuated that it was done because then Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright ordered it. This change stripped DS out from under Administration Officers and placed the RSO
directly under the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in the chain of command at an Embassy.
In recent years DS, although not autonomous from the U.S. State Department, has been given more leeway in
handling its own affairs. Budgetary approvals and allocations and hiring and promotion numbers for DS and DSS
still must be cleared through the U.S. State Department. Traditionally DS, and more specifically the Diplomatic
Security Service, has had a conflicted relationship with its parent agency, the U.S. State Department. The main
mission of the U.S. State Department is not law enforcement, but is of course diplomacy. Having a law enforcement
arm has not been an easy fact for the State Department culture to accept. In fact, for a number of years DS was told
specifically by the State Department that it was not a law enforcement agency, and the title of Foreign Service
Diplomatic Security officer was emphasized while the title of Special Agent was downplayed. The State Department
now more readily accepts the 'special agent' terminology.
Looking at its history it becomes apparent there is a pattern of forced changes in relation to security for the U.S.
State Department and its facilities overseas (American embassies and consulates). Often this change is the result of a
serious incident, such as a terrorist attack on a U.S. mission. Since 1999 and especially after the creation of the U.S.
embassies in Kabul and Baghdad there seems to be an increasing acceptance and desire by State Department
hierarchy to fully embrace and support the goals of the Diplomatic Security Service. Likewise, DS has been allowed
a greater degree of independent action in administering itself and has been allowed to hire new agents at a rate that
keeps overall numbers from slipping downward.
DS vs. DSS
For people who do not work for the Department of State (DoS), there
is much confusion about the relationship between the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security (DS) and the Diplomatic Security Service
(DSS). Even within Department of State there is still some confusion
regarding the difference between DS and the DSS.
DS oversees all security related matters of the U.S. Department of
State, which includes security at U.S. embassies and consulates. DS Bureau (DS) Organizational Chart
has approximately 34,000 employees; 1,500 of whom are the U.S.
Diplomatic Security Service 310
Within DoS, all employees who work for DS (the bureau) are referred to as DS employees. Even within DSS, agents
refer to themselves as DS Agents. This usage is also used in DoS press releases, although recently multi-agency
press releases from the U.S. Attorney’s offices use the technically correct Diplomatic Security Service.
Things get muddled even further when one looks at the assignments available to DSS agents. Agents are frequently
assigned to positions within DS (the bureau) but outside of the DSS chain of command hierarchy. This may seem a
little counterintuitive but is a common practice within the Department of State. For example while assigned overseas,
DoS employees are evaluated by their superiors at the embassy or consulate to which they are assigned. In the case
of DSS agents, the RSO (senior special agent at post) is rated by the Deputy Chief of Mission and reviewed by the
Chief of Mission (Ambassador). The DSS hierarchy in Washington has no input on the agent’s evaluation. This is
only a technicality however; as agents frequently receive instructions from HQ.
SY directors
• Robert L. Bannerman (1945-1947) father of third generation SY/DS agent
• William O. Boswell (1958-1962) father of future DS Assistant Secretary
• Otto Otepka, Deputy Director (1959–1962)[29] [30] [31]
• John Francis Reilly (1962–?)[32]
• Marvin Gentile (1964-1974)[33] former FBI Special Agent and CIA Security Officer[34] [35]
• Viktor Dikeos (1974-1978)
DSS directors
• David C. Fields (-1986)
• Louis Schwartz, Jr. (1986-1988)
• Clark Ditmer (1988-1993)
• Mark Mulvey (1994–1996)
• Greg Bujac (1996–1999)
• Peter E. Bergin (1999–2003)
• Joe B. Morton (2003–2007) Son of former DSS Director
• Gregory B. Starr (2007–2009)
• Patrick Donovan (2009)
• Jeffrey Culver (2009-present)
Diplomatic Security Service 311
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Diplomatic Security Service, 4 Special Agents have died in the line of duty. [37]
[38] Wednesday, December 21, 1988 Terrorist attack on Pan Am flight 103
Special Agent Daniel Emmett O'Connor
[39] Wednesday, December 21, 1988 Terrorist attack on Pan Am flight 103
Special Agent Ronald Albert Lariviere
See also
• List of United States federal law enforcement agencies
• Bureau of Diplomatic Security
• Mobile Security Deployment (MSD), Diplomatic Security Service's "Special Ops/SWAT unit"
• Office of the Inspector General of the Department of State
• U.S. Marshals (film) Robert Downey, Jr. plays a rogue DSS Agent
• U.S. Marshals
• FBI
• U.S. Secret Service
• NCIS
• OSI - U.S. Air Force
• INTERPOL
• / INTERPOL Wanted List [42]
Other references
• 1999 — Book - The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama bin Laden and the Future of Terrorism, by Simon Reeve
(UK Television Presenter)
• 1999 — On the Inside (Discovery Channel TV show) - State Department Protectors (Knightscenes Productions)
• 2000 — Investigative Reports (A&E TV show) - In the Line of Fire (44 Blue Productions)
• 2001 — Badges Without Borders (TLC TV show) - Inside the Diplomatic Security Service (Red Apple
Entertainment Productions)
• 2002 — Book - Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al-Qaeda Terrorists [43], Samuel M. Katz
• 2003 — Targeted: Volume 1, The Evil Genius (Ramzi Yousef) (Wild Eyes Productions for the History Channel;
A&E Networks)
• 2004 — Heroes Under Fire (History Channel TV Show) - Escape from Liberia (Wild Eyes Productions)
• 2005 — Heroes Under Fire (History Channel TV Show) - Caught in the Middle (Wild Eyes Productions)
DSS/MSD in Haiti
• 2006 — Critical Threat — Life in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (Wild Eyes Productions)
• 2007 — A Mighty Heart (film) - DSS Special Agent Randall Bennett leads the team investigating Daniel Pearl's
kidnapping and murder.
• 2008 — Ghost: Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent - A memoir by former DSS Special Agent Fred Burton
in which he chronicles his service in the DSS counterterrorism branch.
External links
• BBC article on DSS [44]
• Diplomatic Security Service Website [45]
• Washington Post article on DSS [46]
• Diplomatic Security Special Agents Association [47]
• Mobile Security Deployments [48] (MSD)
• Office of Foreign Missions [49]
• OTTO OTEPKA (SY Director 1959 - 1962) [50]
• CBS Evening News - DSS at the UN General Assembly 2009 [51]
Diplomatic Security Service 313
References
[1] Bureau of Diplomatic Security (http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/ )
[2] Protection of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (http:/ / www. cbsnews. com/ video/ watch/ ?id=5341322n&
tag=contentMain;contentBody/ )
[3] information on protection work from State Department web site (http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/ protection/ c8756. htm) Retrieved on July
16, 2007
[4] [http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00004802----000-.html U.S. CODE Title 22 Chapter 58 Subchater I section
4802(a)(1)(D) July 22 2008
[5] Protection of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (http:/ / www. cbsnews. com/ video/ watch/ ?id=5341322n&
tag=contentMain;contentBody/ )
[6] State's Security Bureau Takes on Expanded Role (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ ac2/ wp-dyn/ A1157-2004Sep6?language=printer)
[7] Afghan President Karzai Flanked by Diplomatic Security Special Agents (http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/ rls/ 44653. htm)
[8] http:/ / media-newswire. com/ release_1084288. html
[9] Counterintelligence Investigations, http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/ terrorism/ c8653. htm
[10] http:/ / www. state. gov/ r/ pa/ prs/ ps/ 2009/ 06a/ 124404. htm
[11] Cuban spies arrested, http:/ / www. state. gov/ r/ pa/ prs/ ps/ 2009/ 06a/ 124404. htm
[12] Federal Indictment of Myers http:/ / i. cdn. turner. com/ cnn/ 2009/ images/ 06/ 05/ myers. indictment. pdf
[13] Exclusive: CIA Station Chief in Algeria Accused of Rapes http:/ / abcnews. go. com/ Blotter/ Story?id=6750266& page=1
[14] Affidavit in Support of a Search Warrant http:/ / abcnews. go. com/ images/ Blotter/ searchwarrant1. pdf
[15] Diplomatic Security Locates and Returns A Fugitive From Brazil (http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/ rls/ 123280. htm)
[16] " Foreign Service Act of 1980 - Public Law 96-465 Sec.504 (http:/ / www. usaid. gov/ policy/ ads/ 400/ fsa. pdf)" (PDF). 13 October 2008. .
Retrieved 2008.
[17] " State's Security Bureau Takes on Expanded Role, Washington Post article by Robin Wright (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/
articles/ A1157-2004Sep6. html)". 7 September 2004. . Retrieved 2007.
[18] Book - The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama bin Laden and the Future of Terrorism, by Simon Reeve
[19] Targeted: Volume 1, The Evil Genius (Ramzi Yousef) (Wild Eyes Productions for the History Channel; A&E Networks) 2003
[20] China, United States Cooperate on Olympic Security http:/ / www. america. gov/ st/ sports-english/ 2008/ June/
20080612145217gmnanahcub0. 9042475. html
[21] Special Agents at the Olympics http:/ / features. csmonitor. com/ olympics08/ 2008/ 08/ 05/ special-agents-at-the-olympics/
[22] DS Protects http:/ / www. state. gov/ documents/ organization/ 114169. pdf
[23] Sources: Washington Post, Sept 7, 2004, State's Security Bureau Takes on Expanded Role, Washington Post article by Robin Wright;
(Book) 2002 Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al-Qaeda Terrorists, Samuel M. Katz.
[24] Allen Dulles by James Srodes, Page 83
[25] Book: The Armies of Ignorance: The Rise of the American Intelligence Empire by William R. Corson, 1977; Page 74
[26] http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ dna/ h2g2/ A1021843
[27] What Did Otto Otepka Know About Oswald and the CIA? by Lisa Pease http:/ / www. ctka. net/ pr397-otepka. html
[28] Bureau of Diplomatic Security official home page http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/
[29] http:/ / educationforum. ipbhost. com/ index. php?showtopic=10074& st=0& p=103740& #entry103740
[30] http:/ / www. ctka. net/ pr397-otepka. html
[31] http:/ / www. amazon. com/ Ordeal-Otto-Otepka-William-Gill/ dp/ 0870000543
[32] http:/ / educationforum. ipbhost. com/ index. php?showtopic=10074& st=0& p=103740& #entry103740
[33] http:/ / www. encyclopedia. com/ doc/ 1P2-866897. html
[34] http:/ / www. highbeam. com/ doc/ 1P2-866897. html
[35] ref http:/ / www. itoday. ru/ 2067. html]
[36] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ Federal/ dos_msd. htm
[37] The Officer Down Memorial Page (http:/ / www. odmp. org/ agency/
3957-united-states-department-of-state---diplomatic-security-service-u. s. -government)
[38] http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer/ 10093-special-agent-daniel-emmett-oconnor
[39] http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer/ 7906-special-agent-ronald-albert-lariviere
[40] http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer/ 17480-special-agent-edward-j. -seitz
[41] http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer/ 17872-special-agent-stephen-eric-sullivan
[42] http:/ / www. interpol. int/ Public/ Wanted/ Search/ Recent. asp
[43] http:/ / www. amazon. com/ dp/ 0765309106
[44] http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ dna/ h2g2/ A1021843
[45] http:/ / www. state. gov/ m/ ds/
[46] http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ articles/ A1157-2004Sep6. html/
[47] http:/ / www. dssaa. org/
[48] http:/ / www. specwarnet. com/ taclink/ Federal/ dos_msd. htm
Diplomatic Security Service 314
Insignia
Beret Flash
high tech military version, called the Wide-Area Infrared Surveillance Thermal Imager or WISTI. WISTI's can
detect enemy movement by tracking body heat, or other heat resonances; or can be automatically routed to another
sensor that goes off, in which the WISTI will automatically focus in and track the programmed sensor.
Phoenix Raven is a United States military counter-terrorism organization program instituted in 1997 by Gen. Mills.
The Phoenix Raven program, implemented by Air Mobility Command Commander Gen. Walter Kross in early 1997,
consists of groups of specially trained security forces personnel dedicated to providing force protection for aircrews
and resources that operate in areas with a high threat areas. Ravens act as force protection advisers to aircraft
commanders, perform close-in aircraft security, airfield security assessments and assist with aircrew duties. Raven
candidates undergo a two-week course at the Air Mobility Warfare Center, Fort Dix. They study topics such as
international law, and they learn hand-to-hand defense techniques.
The Air Force maintains Emergency Services Teams (EST) which are similar to → SWAT teams. Nuclear mission
bases have have Tactical Response Force and Convoy Response Force (TRF/CRF) Units. These units are trained just
like all other EST but go through training at Malmstrom for nuclear specific tasks. TRF/CRF units are on call with
many other security forces units at nuclear bases and provide rapid response to emergency situations. Security Forces
also deploy Close Precision Engagement (CPE) teams, also known as counter-snipers.
Training
Additional training may be available to Security Forces such as the Close Precision Engagement Course (CPEC) at
Camp Robinson. Security Forces members may also go through technical schools to help them as their careers
develop. Some of these schools consist of, but are not limited to: Emergency Services Team (E.S.T.), Security
Forces Dispatch Communications, Tactical Automated Sensor Systems Operator (TASS), Combat Arms Training
and Maintenance (CATM), Military Police Investigator Course (MPI), or Military Working Dog Handler.
Some Security Forces members attend the Army's Air Assault School, Airborne school and Ranger School. Security
Forces members can also go through advanced training in investigations or advanced driving school training by the
Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI).
Air Force Specialty Code 3P0X1B (CATM) are personnel who train base personnel in the use of small arms
weaponry, oversee and maintain and repair all small arms in the Air Force inventory. A second career direction
Security Forces have is the Military Working Dog (MWD) program Air Force Specialty Code 3P0X1A. Military
Working Dog teams deploy explosive detection and narcotics detection dogs throughout the base. Most Dog
Handlers perform law enforcement duties at their duty station, and have opportunities to deploy, go Temporary Duty
(TDY) for various reasons, including protection of the President of the United States.
EST members undergo special tactics training (Special Reaction Team Course, Phase 1 and 2) at the Advanced Law
Enforcement Training Division (ALETD) located at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. SRT Phase I is a SWAT
entry-team course and Phase II covers sniper emplacement, marksmanship, and tactics. ALETD is run by the U.S.
Army and provides the majority of specialty training for U.S. Army and Marine Corp Military Policemen as well as
Air Force Security Forces and some civilian police departments.
Weapons
All Security Forces are required to maintain qualifications on the M-4 Carbine and M-9 pistol. Different weapons
skills can be obtained, such as the M-203 Grenade Launcher, the M-249 light machine gun, M-240B general-purpose
machine gun, the M-2 50 caliber machine gun, and the MK-19 grenade launcher. In the past Security police
personnel could also qualify with the M29 mortar, M67 recoilless rifle, and M72 LAW. Obsolete weapons
previously carried by S.P.s include the M-60, Smith & Wesson Model 15, XM148 grenade launcher, and M79
grenade launcher.
Air Force Security Forces 317
History
The position of Air Provost Marshall came into being in March 1943 at
the direction of General Henry H. Arnold, commander of the United
States Army Air Forces. When the Air Force became a separate entity
in January 1948, its military police became air police. The Air Provost
Marshal came under the Air Force Inspector General. The organization
title became Director of Security and Law Enforcement in 1960. The
term air police became security police in 1967 and then in 1997 was
changed to Security Forces.
A member of the USAF Security Police (173d
The security police function left the inspector general umbrella in 1975 Security Forces Squadron).
and began reporting to the Air Force Chief of Staff. The title of Chief
of Security Police then replaced the title Directory. The security police headquarters moved from Washington DC to
Kirtland AFB NM in 1978 and became the Air Force Office of Security Police (AFOSP), a separate operating
agency, again under the Inspector General. In 1991, as part of an Air Staff reorganization, the Chief of Security
Police was again aligned directly under the Air Force Chief of Staff. The Chief of Security Police and the staff
needed to work security police policy issues was relocated to The Pentagon, Washington DC.
A little over half of the AF Security police staff remained at Kirtland AFB as a field operating agency, the Air Force
Security Police Agency (AFSPA). AFSPA reported directly to the Air Force Chief of Security Police. AFSPA was
comprised of four directorates: security; law enforcement and training; resources; and corrections. In January 1997,
as a result of the Khobar Towers bombing,an Air Force Chief of Staff directed reorganization of Security Forces
Air Force Security Forces 318
designed to improve Air Force force protection capabilities, the Air Force Chief of Security Police was re-designated
the Air Force Director of Security Forces, and in October 1997, the Security Police career field became the Security
Forces career field. AFSPA was reorganized in November 1997 and relocated to Lackland AFB Texas.
The new organization, designated the Air Force Security Forces Center, consists of three units: Headquarters, the AF
Force Protection Battle lab, and the 820th Security Forces Group. The Headquarters Air Force Security Forces
Center (HQ AFSFC) is commanded by the duel-hatted Air Force Director of Security Forces. HQ AFSFC acts as an
extension of the Pentagon staff, conducting staff studies dealing with a wide range of topics, including nuclear
security, antiterrorism/force protection, base defense, police services, combat arms and Security Forces training,
equipment management, and military working dogs. The Headquarters consists of three divisions: Force Protection,
Operations, and Corrections, with three geographically separated units-Miramar, California; Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas; and Charleston, South Carolina.
The Force Protection Battlelab's commander reports to the HQ AFSFC commander. Force Protection Battlelab's
mission is to rapidly identify and prove the worth of innovative Force Protection ideas which improve the ability of
the Air Force to execute it's core competencies and joint warfighting. The Battlelab rapidly measures the worth of
new ideas and presents them to the Air Force senior leadership for consideration involving changes to the way the
Air Force currently organizes, trains, equips, executes, plans and commands.
The 820th Security Forces Group provides a highly-trained, rapidly-deployable "first-in" force protection capability
to any operating location in support of the USAF Global Engagement mission. The 820th gives the Air Force a
totally dedicated composite unit for force protection, drawing from many disciplines, not just Security Forces. The
unit is composed of personnel from Security Forces, Office of Special Investigations, civil engineering, logistics and
supply, communications, intelligence, administration, personnel, and medical career fields, providing the capability
to assess each threat and act accordingly.[1]
Recent Changes
Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes, director of security forces and force protection, calls these transformations a "refocus" on
how his people train and fight.
"We're not in the Cold War anymore; we have to alter our mentality and our practices for today's reality," the general
said. "Because of the nature of the threat, our Airmen are fighting the global war on terror on the front lines, and we
owe it to them to provide training, equipment and resources to be effective."
Essentially, security forces will focus on preparing for their warfighting mission at forward locations, as well as
security at a fixed installation, General Holmes said. As an example, he cited an Air Force task force that operated
around Balad Air Base, Iraq, for two months last year. The unit patrolled the local towns and found weapons caches
as well as individuals who posed a threat to the base. Security forces must learn counterinsurgency techniques to
operate more effectively in joint operations, said Maj. Gen. Norman Seip, assistant deputy chief of staff for air and
space operations.
While security forces will focus more on their warfighting competencies, Air Force leaders are reviewing several
options for installation protection duties, such as entry control, at home stations. Plans call for more DOD civilians,
greater affiliation with Guard and Reserve and better use of technologies, General Holmes said. The changes to the
security forces career field will present the opportunity for other Airmen to participate in installation security. While
that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone will have a rotation checking identification cards at a gate, it does mean more
comprehensive training, awareness and capability to respond and participate, he said.
While definitive plans have not been finalized, General Holmes also said one of the transformation goals is bringing
security forces back in step with standard Air Force 120-day deployments. Overall, General Holmes said the changes
would make security forces more effective and relevant to Air Force needs in the face of the current changing nature
of warfare.
Air Force Security Forces 319
"We want to make our Airmen more proficient, and to do that, we need to adapt," General Holmes said. "We're
going to change our training, our tactics and our procedures and the Air Force will be better for it" [2] .
In November 2007, it was announced that the Air Force was going to triple the number of Security Forces personnel
in Iraq and Afghanistan to back-fill Army and Marines Corps mission tasks.[3]
See also
• 732 ESFS/DET-3
• United States Army Military Police Corps
• Royal Air Force Regiment
• Airfield Defence Guards
• Objektschutzregiment der Luftwaffe
External links
• Official Air Force Security Forces website [4]
• Official Air Force Security Forces factsheet [5]
• The Air Force Security Police Association [6]
• Unofficial Air Force Security Police website [7]
• Brief History of the USAF Security Forces [8]
• History of the blue beret [9]
• the Unofficial 81st SPS RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge Site [10]
• Unofficial security history of Westover AFB (SAC) 1955 - 1974 [11]
• USAF Security Police/Forces Vietnam Veteran.... [12]
References
[1] http:/ / www. usafa. edu/ 10abw/ 10msg/ sfs/ history. cfm?catname=10SFS
[2] Air Force Print News, 2006
[3] Stars and Stripes: Air Force to triple number of airmen helping Army, Marines in Iraq (http:/ / www. stripes. com/ article. asp?section=104&
article=57744& archive=true)
[4] http:/ / www. afsfc. af. mil/
[5] http:/ / www. af. mil/ information/ factsheets/ factsheet. asp?id=4556
[6] http:/ / afspaonline. org/
[7] http:/ / www. afsp. net/
[8] http:/ / www. defensorfortis. info/
[9] http:/ / www. safesideassociation. org/ blue_beret. html
[10] http:/ / 81sps. homestead. com/
[11] http:/ / 814thcds. com/
[12] http:/ / billmorris1. fortunecity. com/ billmorrisvietnamveteran/
Special Reaction Teams 320
Training
SRT candidates from all branches attend training at the US Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood,
MO.
SRT training is divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2. SRT members are required to have a high degree of physical
fitness, so candidates attending SRT training should be in excellent physical condition. Participants must be able to
successfully negotiate an obstacle course, run, jump, and perform while wearing protective clothing (body armor,
eye protection). Participants will also come in physical contact with other students or instructors during several
sections of training. SRT Phase 1 and Phase 2 are designed to test student stamina by conducting training at all
hours.
Phase 1 provides training for personnel performing duties as a member of an installation Special Reaction Team
entry team member and prepares them to respond to and resolve special threat situations. The SRT will provide the
commander with an enhanced response capability above that provided by on-duty conventional law
enforcement/security patrols. Instructional emphasis focuses on SRT tactics, marksmanship and special threat
situations including response to a terrorist incident, barricaded incidents (with and without hostages), drug raids, and
high risk warrant apprehensions. Students must complete Phase 1 training prior to progressing to Phase 2.
Phase 2 provides training for personnel performing duties as a member of an installation Special Reaction Team
marksman/observer. Training provides instruction in techniques required for inner perimeter security, intelligence
gathering, and if necessary, highly accurate and effective neutralization of hostile targets in special threat situations.
Training includes iron sighted and scoped weapon systems. In addition to marksmanship training, students must pass
a written examination designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of tactics learned in Phase 2. No reference
material is allowed while testing, and students must have 47 of 50 questions correct to achieve a passing grade.
Note: SRT refers to both Special Reaction Team & Special Response and Tactics Depending on location.
External links
• Sniper Paradise SRT [2]
• U.S. Army SRT information [3]
• U.S. Marine Corps SRT information [4]
• U.S. Air Force SRT information [5]
• U.S. Army Field Manual 19-10, Chapter 21 "Special Reaction Team" [6].
• Special Operations information page [7]
• Stars and Stripes Article: Featuring SRT [8]
• SRT Training at Walter Reed [9]
References
[1] FM 19-10 Chptr 21 Special Reaction Team (http:/ / www. globalsecurity. org/ military/ library/ policy/ army/ fm/ 19-10/ Ch21. htm)
[2] http:/ / www. snipersparadise. com/ articles/ srt. htm
[3] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ MPTeams/ usarmy_srt. htm
[4] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ taclink/ MPTeams/ usmc_srt. htm
[5] http:/ / www. specwarnet. net/ americas/ usaf_est. htm
[6] http:/ / www. globalsecurity. org/ military/ library/ policy/ army/ fm/ 19-10/ Ch21. htm
[7] http:/ / www. specialoperations. com/ USMC/ SRT/ Default. htm
[8] http:/ / www. stripes. com/ article. asp?section=104& article=34518& archive=true
[9] http:/ / www. dcmilitary. com/ stories/ 062608/ pentagram_28267. shtml
United States Marshals Service 322
Abbreviation USMS
Agency overview
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Website
http:/ / www. usdoj. gov/ marshals
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United
States Department of Justice (see 28 U.S.C. § 561 [3]) and is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United
States.[4]
The USMS is the enforcement arm of the United States federal courts. U.S. Marshals protect court officers and
buildings and ensure the effective operation of the judicial system.
History
The offices of U.S. Marshals and Deputy Marshals were created by the first Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1789,
the same legislation that established the federal judicial system. In a letter to Edmund Randolph, the first United
States Attorney General, President George Washington wrote,
Impressed with a conviction that the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government, I
have considered the first arrangement of the Judicial department as essential to the happiness of our Country,
and to the stability of its political system; hence the selection of the fittest characters to expound the law, and
dispense justice, has been an invariable object of my anxious concern.
Many of the first U.S. Marshals had already proven themselves in military service during the American Revolution.
Among the first marshals were John Adams's son-in-law Congressman William Stephens Smith for the district of
New York, another New York district Marshal, Congressman Thomas Morris and Henry Dearborn for the district of
Maine.
From the earliest days of the nation, Marshals were permitted to recruit Special Deputies as local hires or as
temporary transfers to the Marshals Service from other federal law enforcement agencies. Marshals were also
authorized to swear in a posse to assist them in manhunts and other duties on an ad hoc basis. Marshals were given
extensive authority to support the federal courts within their judicial districts, and to carry out all lawful orders
issued by federal judges, Congress, or the President.
The Marshals and their Deputies served subpoenas, summonses, writs, warrants, and other process issued by the
courts, made all the arrests, and handled all federal prisoners. They also disbursed funds as ordered by the courts.
Marshals paid the fees and expenses of the court clerks, U.S. Attorneys, jurors, and witnesses. They rented the
courtrooms and jail space and hired the bailiffs, criers, and janitors. They made sure the prisoners were present, the
jurors were available, and that the witnesses were on time.
When Washington set up his first administration and the first Congress began passing laws, both quickly discovered
an inconvenient gap in the constitutional design of the government: It had no provision for a regional administrative
structure stretching throughout the country. Both the Congress and the executive branch were housed at the national
capital; no agency was established or designated to represent the federal government's interests at the local level. The
need for a regional organization quickly became apparent. Congress and the President solved part of the problem by
creating specialized agencies, such as customs and revenue collectors, to levy tariffs and taxes, yet there were
numerous other jobs that needed to be done. The only officers available to do them were the Marshals and their
United States Marshals Service 324
Deputies.
Thus, the Marshals also provided local representation for the federal
government within their districts. They took the national census every decade
through 1870. They distributed Presidential proclamations, collected a variety
of statistical information on commerce and manufacturing, supplied the
names of government employees for the national register, and performed
other routine tasks needed for the central government to function effectively.
Over the past 200 years, Congress, the President and Governors have also
called on the Marshals to carry out unusual or extraordinary missions, such as
registering enemy aliens in time of war, sealing the American border against
armed expeditions from foreign countries, and at times during the Cold War,
swapping spies with the Soviet Union, and also retrieving North Carolina's
copy of the Bill of Rights.[5]
One of the more onerous jobs the Marshals were tasked with was the recovery of fugitive slaves, as required by the
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. They were also permitted to form a posse and to deputize any person in any community
to aid in the recapture of fugitive slaves. Failure to cooperate with a Marshal resulted in a $5000 fine and
imprisonment, a stiff penalty for those days. The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue was a celebrated fugitive-slave case
involving U.S. marshals. James Batchelder was the second marshal killed in the line of duty. Batchelder, along with
others, was preventing the rescue of fugitive slave Anthony Burns in Boston in 1854.
In the 1960s the Marshals were on the front lines of the Civil
Rights Movement, mainly providing protection to volunteers. In
September 1962, President John F. Kennedy ordered 127 marshals
to accompany James Meredith, an African American who wished
to register at the segregated University of Mississippi. Their
presence on campus provoked riots at the university, requiring
President Kennedy to federalize the Mississippi National Guard to
pacify the crowd, but the marshals stood their ground, and
Meredith successfully registered. Marshals provided continuous
U.S. Marshals accompanying James Meredith to class
protection to Meredith during his first year at "Ole Miss," and
Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy later proudly displayed a
marshal's dented helmet in his office. U.S. Marshals also protected black schoolchildren integrating public schools in
the South. Artist Norman Rockwell's famous painting "The Problem We All Live With" depicted a tiny Ruby
Bridges being escorted by four towering U.S. marshals in 1964.
United States Marshals Service 325
Duties
The Marshals Service is responsible for apprehending
wanted fugitives, providing protection for the federal
judiciary, transporting federal prisoners (see JPATS),
protecting endangered federal witnesses, and managing
assets seized from criminal enterprises. The Marshals
Service is responsible for 55.2 percent of arrests of
federal fugitives. Between 1981 and 1985, the Marshals
Service conducted Fugitive Investigative Strike Team
operations to jump-start fugitive capture in specific
districts. In 2007, U.S. Marshals captured over 36,000
federal fugitives and cleared over 38,900 fugitive
A US Marshal on a JPATS flight.
warrants.[7]
The United States Marshals Service also executes all lawful writs, processes, and orders issued under the authority of
the United States, and shall command all necessary assistance to execute its duties.
U.S. Marshals also have the common law based power to enlist any willing civilians as deputies. In the Old West this
was known as forming a posse, although under the Posse Comitatus Act, they cannot use soldiers for law
enforcement duties.
Lastly Title 28 USC Chapter 37 § 564. authorizes United States marshals, deputy marshals and such other officials
of the Service as may be designated by the Director, in executing the laws of the United States within a State, may
exercise the same powers which a sheriff of the State may exercise in executing the laws thereof.[8]
United States Marshals Service 326
Firearms
According to the US Marshal's website, "The U.S. Marshals Service's primary hand gun is the Glock 22 in .40 S&W
caliber. Each deputy may carry a backup hand gun of their choice if it meets certain requirements." They also are
equipped with AR-15s and 12 gauge shotguns.
Organization
The United States Marshals Service is based in Arlington, Virginia,
and, under the authority and direction of the Attorney General, is
headed by a Director, who is assisted by a Deputy Director. USMS
Headquarters provides command, control and cooperation for the
disparate elements of the service.
Executives
• Director of the U.S. Marshals Service: John F. Clark
• Deputy Director of the U.S. Marshals Service: Brian Beckwith Marshals are briefed for Operation Falcon 2008
Regional
The U.S. court system is divided into 94 Districts, each with a U.S.
Marshal, a Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal (GS-15) (and an Assistant
Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal (GS-14) in certain larger districts),
Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshals (GS-13) [9] , and as many
Deputy U.S. Marshals (GS-5 and above) [9] and Special Deputy
U.S. Marshals as needed. In the US federal budget for 2005, funds
for 3,067 deputy marshals and criminal investigators were
provided. The US Marshal of a US Circuit Court is the US
A Deputy U.S. Marshal covers his fellow officers with Marshal in whose district that court is located.
an M-4 carbine during a "knock and announce"
procedure The Director and each United States Marshal is appointed by the
President of the United States and subject to confirmation by the
United States Senate. The District U.S. Marshal is traditionally appointed from a list of qualified → law enforcement
personnel for that district or state. Each state has at least one district, while several larger states have three or more.
OPM Classification
Deputy U.S. Marshals are classified General Schedule (GS) 1811
Criminal Investigators,[10] or a basic 082 Deputy Marshals.[9] New
Deputies are hired under the Federal Career Internship Program
(FCIP). Deputy U.S. Marshals start their careers as 082 series DUSM's
at either a GL-5 or GL-7 pay grade. After 1 year in grade they are
promoted to GL-7 or GL-9, then GS-11, and finally journeyman
GS-12. All deputies will now receive there 1811 status at the GS-11
pay grade. To be considered for a position as a Deputy, an individual Tools of the trade
Criminal Investigators receive an additional 25% LEAP pay on top of their base pay.
The progression system for a DUSM's pay scale is finally on par with other federal law enforcement agencies.
Modification of this pay scale was implemented in September 2009. This modification is automatic progression to
the next higher grade after 1 year in each grade, up to the GS-12 level. Automatic progression to the grade of GS-13
is in the works, and is hopeful for career Deputy U.S. Marshals in the near future.
As of February 2007, all Deputy US Marshal new hires receive Criminal Investigator Training and Basic Deputy US
Marshal training at the onset of employment. All previously hired 082 series DUSM's are expected to be converted
to 1811 series Criminal Investigator DUSM's by early 2010.
United States Marshals Service 328
When DUSM's aren't out making street arrests, they can be found
protecting government officials, seizing assets of major crime rings,
relocating and providing new identities for witnesses in the federal
witness protection program which is headed by the USMS. Through
the Adam Walsh Act, the U.S. Marshals Service was chosen to head up
the new federal sex offender tracking and prosecution hot team.
Titles[11]
Marshals arrest a suspect
• United States Marshal—for the top executive Marshal's Service
position (political appointment) in a Federal judicial district.
• Chief Deputy United States Marshal—the senior career manager for the Federal judicial district who is
responsible for management of the Marshal's office and staff.
• Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal—for positions in the Marshals Service responsible for the supervision
of three or more deputy U.S. marshals and clerks.
• Deputy United States Marshal—for all nonsupervisory positions classifiable to this series.
Other deaths
On March 26, 2009, the body of Deputy U.S. Marshal Vincent Bustamante was discovered in Juarez, Mexico,
according to the U.S. Marshals Service. It is the latest discovery in a wave of violence related to the Mexican Drug
War. Bustamante, who was accused of stealing and pawning government property, was a fugitive from the law at the
time of his death. Chihuahua state police said the body had multiple wounds to the head—apparently consistent with
an execution-style shooting. [16] [17]
Notable Marshals
Some famous or otherwise noteworthy U.S. Marshals include:
• Seth Bullock (1849–1919), businessman, rancher, sheriff for Montana, sheriff of Deadwood, U.S. Marshal of
South Dakota
• Charles Francis Colcord (1859–1934), rancher, businessman and Marshal for Oklahoma
• Henry Dearborn (1751–1829), Marshal for the District of Maine
• Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), former slave and noted Abolitionist leader, appointed U.S. Marshal for the
District of Columbia in 1877
• Virgil Earp (1843–1905), Deputy U.S. Marshal, Tombstone, Arizona
• Wyatt Earp (1848–1929), Deputy U.S. Marshal (appointed to his brother Virgil Earp's place by the Arizona
Territorial Governor)
• Richard Griffith, Brigadier General in the Confederacy during the Civil War
• Wild Bill Hickok (1837–1876), noted Western lawman, who served as a Deputy U.S. Marshal at Fort Riley,
Kansas in 1867–1869
• Bass Reeves (July, 1838 – January, 1910) is thought by most to be one of the first African Americans to receive a
commission as a U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Before he retired from federal service in
1907, Reeves had arrested over 3,000 felons.
• Ward Hill Lamon (1826–1893), friend, law partner and frequent bodyguard of President Abraham Lincoln, who
appointed him U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia.
• J. J. McAlester (1842-1920), U. S. Marshal for Indian Territory (1893-1897), Confederate Army captain,
merchant in and founder of McAlester, Oklahoma as well as the developer of the coal mining industry in eastern
Oklahoma, one of three members of the first Oklahoma Corporation Commission (1907-1911) and the second
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma (1911-1915).
• Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), U.S. Marshal for Eastern District of Texas; became a brigadier general in the
army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War
• Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816–1895), U.S. Marshal for Eastern District of Texas. Brother of Benjamin
McCulloch; also a Confederate General
• James J. P. McShane (1909-1968), Appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia by President John F.
Kennedy then named Chief Marshal in 1962
• John W. Marshall, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia (1994–1999), first African-American to serve
as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service (1999–2001)
United States Marshals Service 330
• Bat Masterson (1853–1921), noted Western lawman-Deputy to US Marshal for Southern District of New
York-appointed by Theodore Roosevelt
• Joseph Meek (1810–1875) Territorial Marshal for Oregon
• Robert F. Morey, Marshal for Massachusetts, designed the USMS Seal. The Marshals Service is the only agency
to have its seal created by one of its own.
• Thomas Morris (New York) (1771–1849), Marshal for New York District.
• James F. Reilly (born 1954), NASA Astronaut
• Henry Massey Rector (1816–1899), Marshal for Arkansas, later governor of that state
• Porter Rockwell (c.1813–1878), deputy marshal for Utah
• William Stephens Smith (1755–1816), 1789 U.S. Marshal for New York district and son-in-law of President John
Adams
• Dallas Stoudenmire (1845–1882), successful City Marshal who tamed and controlled a remote, wild and violent
town of El Paso, Texas; became U.S. Marshal serving West Texas and New Mexico Territory just before his
death
• Heck Thomas (1850–1912), Bill Tilghman (1854–1924), and Chris Madsen (1851–1944), the legendarily fearless
"Three Guardsmen" of the Oklahoma Territory
• William F. Wheeler (1824–1894), Marshal for the Montana Territory
• James E. Williams (1930–1999), Marshal for South Carolina, Medal Of Honor recipient.
• Sharon Lubinski , was an assistant chief in the Minneapolis Police Department, and was nominated as the first
openly gay U.S. Marshal[18]
Fugitive programs
15 Most Wanted
The Marshals Service publicizes the names of wanted persons it places on the list of U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted
Fugitives[20] , which is similar to and sometimes overlapping the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list or the →
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Most Wanted List, depending on jurisdiction.[21]
(15 Most wanted website [22])
The 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program was established in 1983 in an effort to prioritize the investigation and
apprehension of high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous fugitives.
These offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or whose instant offense(s) pose a significant
threat to public safety. Current and past fugitives in this program include murderers, sex offenders, major drug
kingpins, organized crime figures, and individuals wanted for high-profile financial crimes.
Major cases
The Major Case Fugitive Program was established in 1985 in an effort to supplement the successful 15 Most Wanted
Fugitive Program. Much like the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program, the Major Case Fugitive Program prioritizes the
investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the country’s most
dangerous individuals. All escapes from custody are automatically elevated to Major Case status.[23]
See also
• → Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
• Constable
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• → DSS - Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State
• Federal Air Marshal Service
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Federal law enforcement in the United States
• Fugitive
• Going Snake Massacre
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Informant
• Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System
• → Law enforcement agency
• Marshal
• Sheriff
• Sting operation
• Telephone tapping
• Turn state's evidence
• Undercover
United States Marshals Service 333
External links
• U.S. Marshals Service [24]
• Court Security Program [25]—includes role in CSO's
• AUTHORITY OF FBI AGENTS, SERVING AS SPECIAL DEPUTY UNITED STATES MARSHALS, TO
PURSUE NON-FEDERAL FUGITIVES [26]
• DEPUTIZATION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS SPECIAL DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALS [27]
• USC on the US Marshals Service [28]
• Retired US Marshals Association [29]
• U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service [45] (DSS)
References
[1] http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ 28/ ch37. html
[2] " Fact Sheet: United States Marshals Service (http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ duties/ factsheets/ 2009/ facts_figures_0409. pdf)" (PDF).
usmarshals.gov. . Retrieved 2009-08-29.
[3] http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ 28/ 561. html
[4] " Fact Sheet: United States Marshals Service (http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ duties/ factsheets/ general. pdf)" (PDF). usmarshals.gov. .
Retrieved 2007-01-08.
While the first colonial postal service Surveyors were appointed in 1772, they were not deemed Special Agents until 1801, and were organized
as the United States Postal Inspection Service in 1830. ( A Chronology of the United States Postal Inspection Service (https:/ /
postalinspectors. uspis. gov/ aboutus/ History. aspx))
[5] " History in Custody: The U.S. Marshals Service Takes Possession of North Carolina’s Copy of the Bill of Rights (http:/ / www. usmarshals.
gov/ history/ north_carolina_bill_of_rights. htm)". United States Marshals Service: Historical Perspective. usmarshals.gov. . Retrieved
2007-01-08.
[6] " U.S. Marshals make legal presence in Antarctica (http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ history/ antarctica/ )". United States Marshals Service:
Historical Perspective. usmarshals.gov. . Retrieved 2007-01-08.
[7] http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ duties/ factsheets/ facts. pdf
[8] http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ uscode28/ usc_sec_28_00000564----000-. htm
[9] POSITION CLASSIFICATION STANDARD FOR UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERIES, GS-0082 (http:/ / www. opm. gov/ fedclass/
gs0082. pdf)
[10] Position Classification Standard for General Investigating/Criminal Investigating Series, GS-1810/1811 (http:/ / www. opm. gov/ fedclass/
gs181011. pdf)
[11] U.S. Office of Personnel Management 2 United States Marshal Series, GS-0082 TS-14 June 1973
[12] http:/ / www. law. cornell. edu/ uscode/ 28/ 561. html#d
[13] DOL WHD: SCA Occupation Directory - 27010 COURT SECURITY OFFICER (http:/ / www. dol. gov/ esa/ regs/ compliance/ whd/ wage/
p27010. htm)
[14] Marshal Robert Forsyth, United States Department of Justice - Marshals Service (http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer. php?oid=5016)
[15] http:/ / www. odmp. org/ officer. php?oid=16907 Constable Darius Quimby
[16] Edgar Roman, a reporter with XHIJ television in Juarez
[17] http:/ / www. cnn. com/ 2009/ US/ 03/ 26/ marshal. killed/ index. html
[18] http:/ / www. huffingtonpost. com/ 2009/ 10/ 14/ sharon-lubinski-first-ope_n_321194. html
[19] http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ history/ badges/ index. html
[20] Current U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives (http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ investigations/ most_wanted/ index. html)
[21] ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (http:/ / www. atf. gov/ wanted/ index. htm)
[22] http:/ / www. usdoj. gov/ marshals/ investigations/ most_wanted/ index. html
[23] Current U.S. Marshals Service Major Case Fugitives (http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ investigations/ major_cases/ index. html)
[24] http:/ / www. usdoj. gov/ marshals
[25] http:/ / www. usmarshals. gov/ judicial/
[26] http:/ / www. usdoj. gov/ olc/ fistopcc. htm
United States Marshals Service 334
Abbreviation USSS
Mission statement The mission of the United States Secret Service is to safeguard the nation's financial infrastructure and
payment systems to preserve the integrity of the economy, and to protect national leaders, visiting
heads of state and government, designated sites and National Special Security Events.
Agency overview
Jurisdictional structure
Specialist jurisdiction
Operational structure
Facilities
Overseas Offices 19
Website
United States Secret Service 335
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that falls under the United
States Department of Homeland Security.[1] The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the
Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States Department of Treasury.[2]
The U.S. Secret Service has two distinct areas of responsibility:
• Treasury roles, covering missions such as prevention and investigation of counterfeiting of U.S. currency and
U.S. treasury bonds notes and investigation of major fraud.
• Protective roles, ensuring the safety of national VIPs such as the President, past presidents, vice presidents,
presidential candidates, their families, foreign embassies (per an agreement with the U.S. State Department's
Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) Office of Foreign Missions (OFM)), etc.[3]
The Secret Service began as an agency for the investigation of crimes related to the Treasury, and then evolved into
the United States' first domestic intelligence and counterintelligence agency. Many of the previous missions of the
Secret Service were later taken over by subsequent agencies such as the FBI, ATF, and IRS and Naval Criminal
Investigative Service (NCIS)
Roles
The Secret Service has primary jurisdiction over the prevention and
investigation of counterfeiting of U.S. currency and U.S. treasury
bonds notes. However, this agency is best known for their work
protecting the President.
Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:
• The president, the vice president, secretary of state (or other
individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the
Secret Service Special Agents (foreground) President), the president-elect and vice president-elect.
protecting the President of the United States in • The immediate families of the above individuals.
2007. • Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except when
the spouse remarries. In 1997, Congressional legislation became
effective limiting Secret Service protection to former presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the
date the former president leaves office.
• Children of former presidents until age 16.
• Former Vice Presidents six months after their term ends (the Secretary of Homeland Security can extend the
protection time).
• Families of former Vice Presidents six months after term ends.
• Visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign
visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad.
• Major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential
election.
• Other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President.
• National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security.
The Secret Service also investigates a wide variety of financial fraud crimes and identity theft and provides forensics
assistance for some local crimes. The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division (UD) assists in the protection
of foreign embassies, the United States Naval Observatory and the White House within Washington, D.C. Due to the
discretion of this organization, many details about the Secret Service are currently classified.
United States Secret Service 336
Appearance
Special Agents of the Secret Service wear attire that is appropriate for
the surroundings. In many circumstances, the attire is a conservative
business suit, but attire can range from a dinner jacket to blue jeans.
Photographs often show them wearing sunglasses and a
communication earpiece. They also wear lapel pins of a color and
shape that, for security purposes, varies regularly, but each design
prominently features the service's star emblem in the center. These
lapel pins are usually changed hourly when agents travel with the
President. The attire for Uniformed Division Officers includes standard
police uniforms, or utility uniforms and ballistic/identification vests for
members of the countersniper team, Emergency Response Team
(ERT), and canine officers.
Secret Service agents provide security for Pope
The shoulder patch of the USSS Uniformed Division consists of the
Benedict XVI in Washington, D.C. Agents are
identified by their lapel pins.presidential seal on white or black depending on the garment to which
it is attached. While there is no official patch indicating "Secret
Service", Special Agents have occasionally designed and purchased unofficial patches to trade in their extensive
collaborations with uniformed law enforcement officers.[4]
History
With a reported one third of the currency in circulation being
counterfeit, the Secret Service was commissioned on July 5, 1865 in
Washington, D.C. as the "Secret Service Division" of the Department
of the Treasury and was originally tasked with the suppression of
counterfeiting. Ironically, the legislation creating the agency was on
Abraham Lincoln's desk the night he was assassinated.[5] At the time,
the only other federal law enforcement agencies were the United States
Park Police, U.S. Post Office Department, Office of Instructions and
Mail Depredations, now known as the United States Postal Inspection
Service, and the → United States Marshals Service. The Marshals did
not have the manpower to investigate all crime under federal Secret Service Uniformed Division vehicle in
jurisdiction, so the Secret Service was used to investigate everything Washington D.C.
from murder to bank robbery to illegal gambling. After the
assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress informally requested that the Secret Service begin to
provide presidential protection. A year later, the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for protection of the
President. In 1902, William Craig became the first Secret Service agent to be killed while riding in the presidential
carriage, in a road accident.
Secret Service was the first U.S. domestic intelligence and counterintelligence agency, hence its name, "Secret
Service". Domestic intelligence collection and counterintelligence responsibilities were vested in the Federal Bureau
of Investigation after the FBI's creation in
United States Secret Service 337
1908. The U.S. Secret Service is not part of the U.S. Intelligence
Community.[6]
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman was residing in the Blair House,
across the street from the White House, while the executive mansion
was undergoing renovations. Two Puerto Rican nationalists, Oscar
Collazo and Griselio Torresola, approached the Blair House with the
intent to assassinate President Truman. Collazo and Torresola opened
fire on Private Leslie Coffelt and other White House Police officers.
Though mortally wounded by three shots from a 9 mm Luger to his
chest and abdomen, Private Coffelt returned fire, killing Torresola with
a single shot to his head. To this day, Coffelt is the only member of the
Secret Service to be killed while protecting a U.S. President against an
assassination attempt. Collazo was also shot, but survived his injuries
and served 29 years in prison before returning to Puerto Rico in 1979.
Special Agent Tim McCarthy stepped in front of President Ronald
Reagan during the assassination attempt of March 30, 1981 and took a
Secret Service Uniformed Division
bullet to the abdomen, but made a full recovery.
The Secret Service Presidential Protective Detail safeguards the President of the United States and his immediate
family. They are heavily armed and work with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and the
military to safeguard the President when he travels, in Air Force One, Marine One, and by limousine in motorcades.
Although the most visible role of the Secret Service today, personal protection is an anomaly in the responsibilities
of an agency focused on fraud and counterfeiting. The reason for this combination of duties is that when the need for
presidential protection became apparent in the early 20th century, there were a limited quantity of federal services
with the necessary abilities and resources. The FBI, IRS, ATF, ICE, and DEA did not yet exist. The United States
Marshals Service was the only other logical choice, and in fact the U.S. Marshals did provide protection for the
President on a number of occasions. In the end, however, the job went to the Secret Service.
The Secret Service has over 6,500 employees: 3,200 Special Agents,
1,300 Uniformed Division Officers, and 2,000 technical and
administrative employees.[7] Special agents serve on protective details,
special teams or sometimes investigate certain financial and homeland
security-related crimes.
The United States Secret Service Uniformed Division is similar to the
United States Capitol Police and is in charge of protecting the physical
White House grounds and foreign diplomatic missions in the
Secret Service Uniformed Division cruiser in
Washington, D.C. area. The Uniformed Division was originally a Washington D.C. at the White House
separate organization known as the White House Police Force, but was
placed under the command of the Chief of the Secret Service in 1930. In 1970, the role of the force, then called the
Executive Protective Service (EPS), was expanded. The name United States Secret Service Uniformed Division was
adopted in 1977.
In 1968, as a result of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy's assassination, Congress authorized protection of
major presidential and vice presidential candidates and nominees (Pub.L. 90-331). Congress also authorized
protection of the spouses of deceased presidents unless they remarry and of the children of former presidents until
age 16.[2]
United States Secret Service 338
Congress passed legislation in 1994 stating that presidents who enter office after January 1, 1997 will receive Secret
Service protection for 10 years after leaving office. Presidents who entered office prior to January 1, 1997 will
continue to receive lifetime protection (Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 1995: Pub.L. 103-329 [8]).
While primarily responsible for presidential protection, the Secret Service may also investigate forgery of
government checks, forgery of currency equivalents (such as travelers' or cashiers' checks), and certain instances of
wire fraud (such as the so called Nigerian scam) and credit card fraud.
The Secret Service also has concurrent jurisdiction with the FBI over certain violations of federal computer crime
laws. They have created a network of 24 Electronic Crimes Task Forces (ECTFs) across the United States. These
task forces create partnerships between the Service, federal/state and local law enforcement, the private sector and
academia aimed at combating technology based crimes.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed Presidential Decision Directive 62, which established National Special
Security Events (NSSE). In that directive, it made the Secret Service the federal agency responsible for security at
events given such a designation.
Effective March 1, 2003, the Secret Service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the newly
established Department of Homeland Security.
Attacks on Presidents
Since the 1960s, Presidents John F. Kennedy, Gerald
Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush have been
attacked while appearing in public. President Ford was
not injured, despite being attacked twice. President
Reagan was seriously injured but survived, and
President Kennedy died from the attack. President Bush
was also not injured, when a hand grenade thrown
towards the podium where he was speaking failed to
detonate.[9] [10] Others who have been on scene though
not injured during attacks on Presidents include Clint
Hill, James Rowley, William Greer, and Roy
Kellerman. One of the more distinguished Secret
Service agents was Robert DeProspero, the Special
Secret Service agent Clint Hill on the back of the presidential
Agent In Charge (SAIC) of Reagan's Presidential limousine moments after John F. Kennedy was shot
Protective Division (PPD) from January 1982 to April
1985. DeProspero was the deputy to Jerry S. Parr, the SAIC of PPD during the Reagan assassination attempt on
March 30, 1981. [11] [12]
The Kennedy assassination spotlighted the bravery of two Secret Service agents. First, an agent protecting Mrs.
Kennedy, Clint Hill, was riding in the car directly behind the Presidential Limousine when the attack began. While
the shooting was taking place, Hill leapt from the running board of the car he was riding on and sprinted up to the car
carrying the President and the First Lady. He jumped on to the back of the moving car and guided Mrs. Kennedy off
the trunk she had climbed on and back into the rear seat of the car. He then shielded the President and the First Lady
with his body until the car arrived at the hospital.
United States Secret Service 339
The Reagan assassination attempt also highlighted the bravery of several Secret Service agents, particularly agent
Tim McCarthy, who spread his stance to protect Reagan as six bullets were being fired by the would-be assassin,
John Hinckley, Jr.[15] McCarthy took one .22-caliber round in the abdomen, which was successfully removed by
surgeons at George Washington University Hospital (also where Reagan was taken and recovered). For his bravery,
McCarthy received the NCAA Award of Valor in 1982. After the near-successful assassination of Ronald Reagan, it
was very clear that the Secret Service needed to increase its efficiency to protect the President.
The Uniformed Division has three branches: the White House Branch, Foreign Missions, and the Naval Observatory
Branch. Together they provide protection for the following: The President and Vice President of the United States
and their immediate families, presidential candidates, the White House Complex, the Vice President’s Residence, the
Main Treasury Department building and its annex facility, and foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area.[17]
Special Agents and Uniformed Division Officers carry either the SIG Sauer P229 pistol chambered for the .357 SIG
cartridge or the FN Five-seven pistol chambered for the 5.7x28mm cartridge. In addition to their sidearms, they are
also trained on several close-combat weapons such as the Remington Model 870 shotgun, the M4 carbine, the IMI
Uzi, FN P90, and the HK MP5 (including the MP5KA4) submachine guns among others. They are also issued radios
and surveillance kits in order to maintain communication with a central command post and other personnel.[18]
Directors
United States Secret Service 341
Field offices
The Secret Service has agents assigned to 136 field offices and the headquarters in Washington, D.C. while the field
offices are located in cities throughout the United States and in Brazil (Brasilia), Bulgaria (Sofia), Canada (Montreal,
Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver), Colombia (Bogota [de Francisco]), China (Hong Kong), France (Paris), INTERPOL,
Germany (Frankfurt), Italy (Rome), Mexico (Mexico City), EUROPOL (Netherlands/The Hague), Romania
(Bucharest), Russia (Moscow), South Africa (Pretoria), Spain (Madrid), Thailand (Bangkok), and the United
Kingdom (London).
Similar organizations
• → U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Department of State
• United States Federal Protective Service
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• List of protective service agencies
See also
• Organized crime
• Armour
• Ballistic vest
• Bodyguard
• Secret Service codename
• Commander-in-Chief's Guard—The American Revolutionary War unit that also had the dual responsibilities of
protecting the Commander-in-Chief and the Continental Army's money.
• Air Force One
• Cadillac One
• List of United States federal law enforcement agencies
• Marine One
• Presidential State Car (United States)
• Private Military Company
• White House Communications Agency
• William Craig, the first Secret Service agent killed on duty
• Praetorian Guard
• Security Guard
• VIP Protection Unit
United States Secret Service 342
External links
• United States Secret Service website [20]
• Protecting the US President abroad [21]
• USSS and Italian law enforcement agencies protecting President George W. Bush in Rome (April 7, 2005) [22]
• Press release concerning rescue Efforts of USSS NY Field Office immediately after the World Trade Center
Attacks [23]
References
[1] " The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions (http:/ / www. fas. org/ sgp/ crs/ homesec/ RL34603. pdf)".
Congressional Research Service. 2008-07-31. . Retrieved 2008-09-08.
[2] " Secret Service History (http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/ history. shtml)". United States Secret Service. . Retrieved 2008-03-09.
[3] (http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/ opportunities_ud. shtml)
[4] The American Presidency (http:/ / americanhistory. si. edu/ presidency/ 2b4_b. html)
[5] Petro, Joeseph; Jeffery Robinson (2005). Standing Next to History, An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service. New York: St. Martin's Press.
pp. 16. ISBN 0312332211.
[6] http:/ / www. intelligence. gov/ 1-members. shtml
[7] http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/ faq. shtml#faq8
[8] http:/ / assembler. law. cornell. edu/ usc-cgi/ get_external. cgi?type=pubL& target=103-329
[9] Secret Service told grenade landed near Bush (http:/ / www. cnn. com/ 2005/ WORLD/ europe/ 05/ 10/ bush. georgia/ )
[10] " Bush grenade attacker gets life (http:/ / www. cnn. com/ 2006/ WORLD/ europe/ 01/ 11/ georgia. grenade/ index. html)". CNN.
2006-01-11. . Retrieved 2007-01-03.
[11] Petro, Joeseph; Jeffery Robinson (2005). Standing Next to History, An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service. New York: St. Martin's Press.
pp. 140–141 & 202–204. ISBN 0312332211.
[12] WVU Alumni | Robert L. DeProspero (http:/ / alumni. wvu. edu/ awards/ academy/ 1995/ robert_deprospero/ )
[13] "The Transfer of Power" (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,875362-2,00. html), Time magazine, November 29, 1963.
[14] Twenty Years in the Secret Service by Rufus Youngblood, pages 147–149. Vince Palamara interviews with former agent Rufus Youngblood
on 10/22/92 and 2/8/94—please see: Survivor's Guilt: The Secret Service and the Failure to Protect the President (http:/ / www.
assassinationresearch. com/ v4n1. html).
[15] He Took A Bullet For Reagan (http:/ / www. cbsnews. com/ stories/ 2004/ 06/ 11/ earlyshow/ main622527. shtml) "'In the Secret Service,'
[McCarthy] continued, 'we're trained to cover and evacuate the president. And to cover the president, you have to get as large as you can,
rather than hitting the deck.'"
[16] Secret Service Frequently Asked Questions. (http:/ / www. ustreas. gov/ usss/ faq. shtml#faq9)
[17] United States Secret Service (http:/ / www. theblueline. com/ feature/ ILUSSS1. html)
[18] Eyeballing the US Secret Service Technical Security Division (http:/ / cryptome. org/ sstsd-eyeball. htm)
[19] Master Special Officer Craig J. Miller, United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service Special Services Division (http:/ / www.
odmp. org/ officer. php?oid=15843)
[20] http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/
[21] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ americas/ 4535911. stm
[22] http:/ / corpidelite. altervista. org/ NOCSgw01. html
[23] http:/ / www. secretservice. gov/ press/ pub1602. pdf
Pentagon Force Protection Agency 343
PFPA Seal
Agency overview
Jurisdictional structure
Operational structure
Agency executive Steven E. Calvery-Director, Richard S. Keevill, Chief of the U.S. Pentagon Police
Website
http:/ / www. pfpa. mil/
The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) is a United States Government agency staffed by sworn federal
police officers (United States Pentagon Police), civilian criminal investigators and CBRN technicians, as well as
non-sworn civilian anti-terrorism physical security personnel, and is responsible for the protection of The Pentagon,
headquarters of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). In response to the terrorist attack against the
Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the DoD established the new agency, which absorbed the Defense Protective
Service (DPS), and assumed its role of providing basic law enforcement and security for The Pentagon and DoD
interests in the National Capitol Region (NCR).
PFPA expanded that mission to provide force protection against the full spectrum of potential threats through robust
prevention, preparedness, detection, and response measures. The agency provides those services to the 280 acre (1.1
km²) "Pentagon Reservation" as well as numerous other Department of Defense activities and facilities within the
NCR.
Pentagon Force Protection Agency 344
Personnel
Careers
The United States Pentagon Police has an assortment of career opportunities. The motorized, bicycle, and
motorcycle patrols, Emergency Response Team, K-9, Protective Service Unit, Criminal Investigations, Threat
Management, Training Branch, Evidence and Court Liaison, and Recruiting Branch are units that exist for career
enhancement.
U.S. Pentagon Police Officers/Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers, appointed under Title 10
Section 2674 of the United States Code. The officers possess full Federal authority, as authorized by Section 2674,
and receive initial training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
Police Officers (0083) attend the Basic Police Training Program
Criminal Investigators/Special Agents(1811) attend the Criminal Investigator Training Program
Special Agents attend Protective Services Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center.
See also
• U.S. Defense Department firefighters
Correctional Emergency Response Team 346
Duties
Possible duties of a CERT team include transport of high risk inmates, extracting uncooperative prisoners from their
cells, searches and high profile security, barricaded persons, Riots, mass arrest, high risk/high profile transport and
hostages situations. While, in the United States various details regarding CERT organization and training
requirements differ from state to state, a standard CERT team organization is similar to that employed by the Monroe
County Police Department, as shown below:
1. Team Leader "Leads". Spoken communication skills, anger de-escalation techniques.
2. The Equipment/Video Member "EQV" To capture the entire response on video.
3. CERT Member "1" Lead member, first in to deal with the inmate.
4. CERT Member "2" Second team member in.
5. CERT Member "3" Minimal protective gear on to allow for maximum speed
6. CERT Member "4" Same as CERT-3.[1]
CERT team members are outfitted with extensive gear, including body armour, helmet, tactical gloves, Batons,
Handcuffs, riot shield and firearms.
Requirements
While requirements also differ from state to state, the Monroe County Police Department lists the following physical
requirements for CERT team members:
• Aerobic capacity - 1.5 mile run in less than 16mins. and 28sec.
• Anaerobic power - 300 meter run in less than 71sec.
• Muscular endurance - 25 push-ups 1-min. 29 sit ups 1-min.
• Power - vertical jump of at least 16 inches high.
• Muscular strength - 1 RM. bench press- (.64 ratio of 1b. pushed to body weight).[1]
Correctional Emergency Response Team 347
Notable uses
In 1998, the Multnomah County CERT team was dispatched to the county's Juvenile Corrections Facility where,
after a six-hour stand off, the CERT team was used to restrain four armed suspects that had barricaded themselves
inside one of the prison office spaces. No inmates, CERT members or bystanders were harmed.
References
[1] Monroe County Sheriffs Office What is a CERT Team (http:/ / www. keysso. net/ jail/ emergency_response_team. htm#What is the CERT
Team) retrieved on February 02 2009
See also
Similar municipal units:
• NYPD Highway Patrol
• Philadelphia Highway Patrol
Emergency Service Unit 348
These police forces do not have a traditional S.W.A.T. units as most law
enforcement agencies in the United States have. The Emergency Service Unit
qualifies in the role of a S.W.A.T. unit and much more. The "ESU" is the
multifaceted and multitalented element of their respective police departments.
Members of "ESU" are some of the most highly trained experts of their
Departments, with abilities that include handling heavy weapons to securing NYPD ESU officers during a tactical
dangerous animals such as full grown tigers kept in public housing deployment.
apartments. They are also trained in ROCO high angle rope rescue as well as
tactical rappelling and fast rope use. They are all also hazmat technicians, emergency medical technicians, and PADI
certified open water divers.
NYPD
The New York City Police Department Emergency Service Unit is the
largest ESU with over 300 personnel. ESU and the Canine Unit
provide specialized equipment, expertise and support to the various
units within the NYPD. From auto accidents to building collapses to
hostage situations, "ESU" officers are called on when the situation
requires advanced equipment and expertise. The Canine Unit provides
assistance during searches for missing persons, perpetrators and
evidence. Fourteen of the twenty-three NYPD officers who died on NYPD ESU at the site of the World Trade Center
September 11th, 2001 were from ESU. as part of Rescue and recovery effort after the
September 11, 2001 attacks.
References
E-Man: Life in the NYPD Emergency Services Unit (Paperback) by Jerry Schmetterer and Al Sheppard [Out of
print]
Emergency Service Unit 349
Movies
• IMDB article on NYPD Emergency Service Unit [2] (2000) A TV documentary.
External links
• NYPD ESU Official Site [3]
• Unofficial NYPD ESU site [4]
• City of New York Department of Correction's Emergency Services Unit [5]
• Yonkers Police ESU [6]
• Port Authority Of New York and New Jersey Police Emergency Services Unit [7]
• Michigan State Police ESU [8]
• Madison Borough NJ ESU [9]
• Seymour Police Emergency Service Unit, Connecticut [10]
References
[1] About the Department of Correction (http:/ / www. nyc. gov/ html/ doc/ html/ about/ esu. shtml)
[2] http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0471830/
[3] http:/ / www. nyc. gov/ html/ nypd/ html/ pct/ esu. html
[4] http:/ / www. extrication. com/ nypdesu. htm
[5] http:/ / www. nyc. gov/ html/ doc/ html/ about/ esu. shtml
[6] http:/ / yonkersny. gov/ Index. aspx?page=460
[7] http:/ / www. panynj. gov/ AboutthePortAuthority/ PortAuthorityPolice/ EmergencyServicesUnit/
[8] http:/ / www. michigan. gov/ msp/ 0,1607,7-123-1589_3493_4602-79671--,00. html
[9] http:/ / www. rosenet. org/ gov/ police/ esu. htm
[10] http:/ / www. seymourpoliceesu. com
Article Sources and Contributors 350
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ExtraDry, Hairy Dude, Harjk, Instantnood, Jrtayloriv, Kevin23, Lankiveil, MJBurrage, Mesoso2, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Oxymoron83, Pearle, Pee Tern, Pollenberg, R'n'B, Rds865,
Rjanag, Rjwilmsi, Rotterstatter, Sacpdinfo, SchuminWeb, Shaddack, Spellcast, The Transhumanist, Vegaswikian, Welsh, Wickelyby, 41 anonymous edits
Police Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=324272378 Contributors: .:Ajvol:., 200.191.188.xxx, 23skidoo, 2D, 3462-beau, 55Sarah55, 621PWC, 97 Bonnie and Clyde, ABF,
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Zappa123123, Zatoichi1564, Zazou, Zeerak88, ZeroOne, Zoganes, Zomic13, יסוי, 1531 anonymous edits
Reparti i Neutralizimit te Elementit te Armatosur Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=66853021 Contributors: AlbHawk, Alvestrand, Apokrif, Betacommand, Bobo192,
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Farmbrough, Roaring Siren, Search4Lancer, Sir192, StuffOfInterest, SuperDude115, Sus scrofa, Tatrgel, Thernlund, 38 anonymous edits
Brigada Especial Operativa Halcón Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=307829623 Contributors: Achangeisasgoodasa, Cmdrjameson, DPdH, Darklegions, ElinorD,
Necrothesp, OneEuropeanHeart, Sardanaphalus, Search4Lancer, Simon12, Titoxd, 10 anonymous edits
Specialist Response and Security Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320915591 Contributors: BenM, Closedmouth, Danski14, Esowteric, FC059, Gwguffey, JIP, Kevin,
Ninetyone, Ominae, YEPPOON, 8 anonymous edits
State Protection Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=311399198 Contributors: Aa Luther, Aleenf1, Bjenks, Breno, Brossow, Closedmouth, Cmdrjameson, DXRAW,
ExtraDry, Gilliam, Htra0497, Ken Gallager, Ladida, LtNOWIS, Mifter, MrAngy, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae, Pee Tern, Redline84, Rjwilmsi, Sblackmore, Shadower75, Tatrgel, Tesscass,
Thernlund, YEPPOON, Zvar, 33 anonymous edits
Hostage Response Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=197680394 Contributors: JesseGarrett, Mild Bill Hiccup, Ninetyone, RN, Shoeofdeath, Skysmith, VirtualSteve,
YEPPOON, 7 anonymous edits
Territory Response Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=288804693 Contributors: Brianhe, Htra0497, Ninetyone, Ominae, Rettetast, YEPPOON, 2 anonymous edits
Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=288772940 Contributors: Brossow, Cmdrjameson, ESkog, Gimboid13, Htra0497,
Maxim, Mild Bill Hiccup, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Oliver202, Ominae, Quaeler, Robert Brockway, YEPPOON, 10 anonymous edits
Special Tasks and Rescue Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=291554394 Contributors: Bongwarrior, Chris the speller, Htra0497, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae,
OneEuropeanHeart, Stryker, Wallie, YEPPOON, 9 anonymous edits
Special Operations Group of the Tasmania Police Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320915551 Contributors: Chuq, Ninetyone, Ominae, Rjwilmsi, ScottDavis, Stemonitis,
YEPPOON, Zvar, 3 anonymous edits
Victoria Police Special Operations Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=288209779 Contributors: Bs88, Geniac, Htra0497, John, Mikecraig, Mild Bill Hiccup, NamecaF,
Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae, OneEuropeanHeart, Rjwilmsi, SmartGuy, Viridae, YEPPOON, 13 anonymous edits
Critical Incident Response Team Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=300749728 Contributors: Atmoz, Gnangarra, Kiss-the-cop, Ninetyone, Ominae, Peipei, Rjwilmsi,
Shauntp, Tabletop, YEPPOON, 1 anonymous edits
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=226374690 Contributors: Bjenks, BlueAzure, Born2flie, Clarkk, Countdraculaalucard,
Daviddotcom, Dejayed, Dhwc, Dickovich, DirectEdge, Dontdoit, DynaBlast, Enlil Ninlil, Everyking, Fred.e, Gaius Cornelius, Gimboid13, Gnangarra, Gobeirne, Hack, Hesperian, Hossen27,
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Z80, 35 anonymous edits
EKO Cobra Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322231962 Contributors: 97198, Ajpralston1, Aldis90, Austronaut, Axeman, Axeman89, Britans, BrokenSphere, Bwiki,
Closedmouth, ColdCase, Darklegions, Exxolon, Hizkiel, Htra0497, J04n, Jurpel, Karada, Kenb215, Koalorka, MegX, Mostergr, Nabokov, Ninetyone, Nkcs, OS2Warp, Ominae,
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SWAT (Bangladesh) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=313603527 Contributors: HamatoKameko, Maksud3, Michal Nebyla, NAHID, Ominae, 5 anonymous edits
Federal Police Special Units Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=303598710 Contributors: Beetstra, Bluezy, Brandmeister, Darklegions, Endlezz, Francis Flinch, Htra0497,
Intangible, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Petergee1, Rjwilmsi, Robbie69, ShiningEyes, WilliamMostmans, 11 anonymous edits
BOPE Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=271824699 Contributors: Aaronbrick, Anakay, Archangel1, Ayack, Britans, Closedmouth, CommonsDelinker, Cyberlords, Dalillama,
Darz Mol, Diogotnd, Discospinster, EDomingos, Exper Aguiar, Francisco Seixas, Hsantacruz, Jeffrey.Kleykamp, Kanadi86, MercAce, Neoreich, Nick Cooper, Ninetyone, Nonno88, Notwist,
Ominae, Pinnecco, Rjwilmsi, Rodrigogomespaixao, S, Stormwatch, Swatjester, TDogg310, Tomtom9041, Yamakiri on Firefox, Yosy, ^demon, 132 anonymous edits
Correctional Service Canada Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=163562609 Contributors: Aleeproject, AlexRampaul, Aude, Biruitorul, BrentS, Bryan Derksen, Cahk,
Canuckle, Chris the speller, Dawn Bard, Drumguy8800, Dsmdgold, Euchiasmus, Ground Zero, Hackah, Handcuff, JD554, JamesofMaine, Jasonp, Jmh123, Lambiam, Mboverload, Mimithebrain,
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Article Sources and Contributors 352
Emergency Response Team (RCMP) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322859209 Contributors: Alex T Snow, AlexRampaul, AndrewM1, Benny 919, Bobblewik,
DXRAW, DarkFireTaker, DocWatson42, ESkog, ElinorD, Fat pig73, FreshBulletTime, Jacobko, JaeRae, Jcmurphy, Jrenaud, Julesd, Kelly Martin, Mb1000, Meiktila, Mrcoldfire, Necrothesp,
Ng.j, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Poccil, Revelations, SD6-Agent, Sam Hocevar, Shoman93, TheAllSeeingEye, Vegaswikian, Wizardman, Wtmitchell, 41 anonymous edits
Emergency Task Force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=106960760 Contributors: AlexRampaul, Coat of Arms, CuffX, Euchiasmus, Fang Aili, Fat pig73, Ltkwan,
Necrothesp, Ng.j, 20 anonymous edits
Snow Wolf Commando Unit Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=317591413 Contributors: Aldis90, Closedmouth, Fireswordfight, Hadoooookin, John Smith's, Kbh3rd,
Kenyon, Kvdveer, L0b0t, Mahnslahyer, Privacy, RainbowOfLight, Rettetast, Seng Yew, Ty789, ^demon, 38 anonymous edits
ATJ Lučko Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=316533637 Contributors: 0vertake, Addshore, Admiral Norton, Britans, Canglesea, Dario0807, Davidlawrence, GriffinSB,
Kebeta, Momet, NawlinWiki, Ninetyone, Rjwilmsi, Suradnik13, 12 anonymous edits
Politiets Aktionsstyrke Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=313808306 Contributors: Angelbo, Ceyockey, Danielk2, EPO, Firebat08, GregorB, Htra0497, JonasWaever,
Mentatus, Mindmatrix, Misheu, Necrothesp, NickelShoe, Ninetyone, Pearle, Rjwilmsi, Ysangkok, 11 anonymous edits
K- Commando Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=300862648 Contributors: Britans, Gaius Cornelius, Georgewilliamherbert, Groggy Dice, IPSOS, LilHelpa, Mike Rosoft,
Nehwyn, NickelShoe, Ninetyone, Petri Krohn, Sakumm, Waacstats, 7 anonymous edits
Karhuryhmä Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=282452796 Contributors: -Majestic-, Agamemnon2, Arctic-Editor, Blankku, Bobo192, Britans, C12H22O11, Espoo, Francis
Flinch, Hsarkka, JIP, Jouk, Kizor, Laisak, Lockley, Malhonen, Matt314, Mikko Paananen, Muad, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Pudeo, Timppis, ZeroOne, 31 anonymous edits
GIPN Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=244596716 Contributors: Closedmouth, Mockingbus, Ninetyone, Rhadamante, RyanCross, SVTCobra, Tomtom9041, WikHead
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322451397 Contributors: Ashes to ashes, Benny 919, ChanceTheGardener, Closedmouth,
Coat of Arms, Consciousnessbliss, DXRAW, David.Monniaux, Erc, Fuzlyssa, GraemeL, Gryffon, Herix, Meiktila, Miq, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae, OneEuropeanHeart, Ornil,
ROG5728, Rama, Reedo, Rob1bureau, Thermaland, Tomtom9041, Unschool, 36 anonymous edits
Service de Protection des Hautes Personnalités Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=306884958 Contributors: Benny 919, Canterbury Tail, Galoubet, Rama, SGGH, TCY, Ze
miguel, 5 anonymous edits
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322610262 Contributors: 007spyguy7, 790, Acceptable, Ahunt, Alexfoley, Anakay,
Apokrif, Aranel, Ashley Pomeroy, Axeman89, Ayack, BadSeed, Baldeadly, Beeblebrox5000, Benny 919, Boblegrand, Boffob, Bruguiea, Carl Logan, ChDV, Chnzwh, Cjrother, Closedmouth,
Cmdrjameson, Coat of Arms, Consciousnessbliss, DMCer, Darryl Revok, David.Monniaux, Deon Steyn, Deville, Duffman, EggyNL, FCYTravis, Foxpry, Francis Flinch, Gabbe, Gaius Cornelius,
Glen Dillon, Grant65, GregorB, Grievous Angel, Haryo, Idokuchaeva, Interiot, Intovert2438, Jade Knight, Jazzydee, Kineox, Koalorka, Kraftlos, Legend, Lightmouse, LilHelpa, Lincolnite,
Marasmusine, MathieuMa, Miq, Mosca, Muenda, N328KF, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae, Pol098, Puddhe, Ragingscythe, Rama, Randy121, Raveled, Red Denim, Res08hao, Rjwilmsi,
Rob1bureau, RoyBoy, Rubber soul, SDC, Sandra CG, Sertrel, Sieurfill, Sirgregmac, Sophitus, Stymphal, Tatrgel, Tellairai, Thiseye, Tomtom9041, Vic Fontaine, Wasted Sapience,
WhisperToMe, Witan, Ynhockey, ZH Evers, Zc Abc, 216 anonymous edits
GSG 9 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=323750194 Contributors: AKMask, Adashiel, After Midnight, Ajstampy, Aldis90, Amfivezerozero, Anakay, Anthony Appleyard,
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Spezialeinsatzkommando Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320707296 Contributors: Astat, BLueFiSH.as, Blackangel25, David.Mestel, DocWatson42, Fogeltje, Fuzz2,
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Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=319714911 Contributors: 790, Amalas, BLueFiSH.as, Darklegions, Fogeltje, Iridescent, Leibniz,
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Special Anti- Terrorist Unit Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322533890 Contributors: 212eta, Anon117, Archangel1, Closedmouth, CommonsDelinker, DStoykov, Damac,
Dragases, Ferengi, Giraffedata, Necrothesp, NeroDrusus, Ominae, Oscarthecat, Peeperman, ROG5728, SDJ, 8 anonymous edits
Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=311499122 Contributors: Benefactordyr, Capricorn42, Da Vynci, HenryLi, Htra0497, Hydrogen Iodide,
Iantnm, Iridescent, Java17, KTC, KTo288, Leeyc0, Red dragon200, RockfangAWB, 26 anonymous edits
Special Duties Unit Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=318568937 Contributors: Amuroplus, Bjso, Britans, CalJW, Closedmouth, Colonies Chris, Creol, Da Vynci,
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Airport Security Unit (Hong Kong) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321872673 Contributors: Andrewpn, Angusmclellan, CalJW, Hellfire83, Huaiwei, Instantnood, KTC,
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National Security Guards Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=324337717 Contributors: Adrian 1001, Aldis90, AlexanderWinston, AreJay, Arjunkul, Arjunsugumar, Blah
blah+3, Bobbie501, Bobblewik, Bravo009, Brewcrewer, Caerwine, CatCube, D.E. Watters, Deepak, Dj thegreat, DuKot, Ekabhishek, Fark97, Frazzydee, Gaius Cornelius, Gogo Dodo, Green
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MARCOS Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=60429692 Contributors: A.Nath, ABadami, ADAonW, Aj.arya, Aldis90, Altzinn, Anetode, Anthony Appleyard, Asen y2k,
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Central Bureau of Investigation Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=324330019 Contributors: Amplitude101, Anoopkn, Anuragshekhar, Appraiser, Avinesh, Belasd,
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Brigade Mobil SOF Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=255385597 Contributors: Caniago, Closedmouth, Djoehana, Dmi2, Iridescent, Ominae, Rjwilmsi, Saintrain, SatuSuro,
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Emergency Response Unit (Garda) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=315561436 Contributors: Alison, AnLaoch, ArdScoil, Bobblewik, Brendan.mcauliffehickey, Britans,
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Yasam Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321739681 Contributors: Benyah, Doit613, Dovzwer, Editorofthewiki, LeaHazel, Ninetyone, Talmage, Tewfik, Waacstats,
Ynhockey, 2 anonymous edits
Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=315728947 Contributors: Alecapocc, Batsu, Britans, Canterbury Tail, Chochopk, Darklegions,
Dual Freq, Fratrep, Haza-w, JamesBurns, Jthotshot, Keycard, Leonidas15andihack, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Nobunaga24, Noclador, Ominae, OneEuropeanHeart, Robbie69, Simon12, 23
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Gruppo di Intervento Speciale Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=313575790 Contributors: Alai, Alecapocc, Britans, Caerwine, Calton, Canterbury Tail, Commander Keane,
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OneEuropeanHeart, Piccolo Modificatore Laborioso, Tomtom9041, 39 anonymous edits
Special Assault Team Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=318528438 Contributors: ACSE, Andycjp, Ashish20, Chris the speller, Cliché Online, Closedmouth, Davlor,
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RadioActive, Rcog, Revth, SGGH, Seann, Teh Elfen Lied, TheFarix, ZH Evers, Zahid Abdassabur, ZayZayEM, 158 anonymous edits
Latvian Special Tasks Unit Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=299087182 Contributors: Bakilas, Charles Matthews, Coat of Arms, Dzoniiits, Finavon, Hugo999,
Jigsawpuzzleman, KasparsK, Kurlandlegionar, Nkcs, OneEuropeanHeart, Philaweb, Ruudy, Thomas.macmillan, Ulric1313, 3 anonymous edits
OMEGA Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=308141067 Contributors: Alai, Coat of Arms, CommonsDelinker, Dzinja, Khoikhoi, Kilo-Lima, Neutrality, Nkcs, Nv8200p,
OneEuropeanHeart, RSido, Ruudy, Srl, 7 anonymous edits
Pasukan Gerakan Khas Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322886223 Contributors: Beetstra, BostonRed, Britans, Caniago, Carpet9, Ccwaters, Clicketyclack, Closedmouth,
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Tomtheman5, Two hundred percent, Yachtsman1, Zahid Abdassabur, 1067 anonymous edits
Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=319217619 Contributors: Btsas, Degen Earthfast, Grioghair, Ron Ritzman, UkPaolo, 3
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Armed Offenders Squad Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=305971617 Contributors: Avenue, Chelubai, Chrismartin1, Closedmouth, Coat of Arms, CommonsDelinker,
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Special Tactics Group Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321005209 Contributors: Bastin, Chelubai, Closedmouth, Free Weights, Ninetyone, Ominae, R'n'B, SamB135,
Smoth 007, XLerate, YEPPOON, 9 anonymous edits
Beredskapstroppen Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=312608824 Contributors: Anskas, Brenont, Britans, Choess, Closedmouth, CommonsDelinker, Daland, Dybdal,
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Forsvarets Spesialkommando Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=132672492 Contributors: ArglebargleIV, Babaroga, Bryan Derksen, Clicketyclack, Dybdal, E rik, Gurch,
Inge, Joffeloff, Manxruler, Nkcs, One Night In Hackney, Pagrashtak, ProveIt, Sirocco, Toreau, Zvar, 21 anonymous edits
Elite Police Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321726680 Contributors: Art LaPella, Axeman89, Bezerk86, Chanakal, Hamiltonstone, Mach101, Mattisse, Mrskooboo,
MuffledThud, Ominae, Razzsic, Rescue 15 Pakistan, Rjanag, Roaring Siren, Tabletop, Wikireader41, Yousaf465, 14 anonymous edits
Airport security force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=263711759 Contributors: Alvin Seville, Devilinapepsican, DragonflySixtyseven, Fabrictramp, I dream of horses, M
alichanna, Malcolma
Special Action Force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320479569 Contributors: Achilles spy, B, Batas535, Caniago, ChrisCork, Colonies Chris, DXRAW, Discospinster,
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Grupo de Operações Especiais (Portugal) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=308473774 Contributors: AgentPeppermint, Britans, Cipsp, Closedmouth, Darklegions,
Grandmaster, Instantnood, Jeff3000, Kelly Martin, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Nuno Tavares, Pedrojoper, PigFlu Oink, Pularoid, Rjwilmsi, Simon12, Tashtastic, Velho, Yosy, 21 anonymous edits
OMON Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=318885418 Contributors: 77RUS, A bit iffy, Alex Bakharev, AlexPU, Anandks007, AndrzejCC, Ashley Pomeroy,
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Texboy, Thinking of England, Tombombadil, Varitek, Vgranucci, Wst, Ynhockey, Zvar, 130 anonymous edits
Detaşamentul de Poliţie pentru Intervenţie Rapidă Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=306836534 Contributors: Arundhati bakshi, Eurocopter, Jmabel, Mentatus, Orioane,
Pearle, WikiRaptor, Zatoichi1564, 13 anonymous edits
SAJ (Special Anti- terrorist Unit) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321724792 Contributors: Boki13, Boksi, Boleyn2, Brankko, Buttons, CommonsDelinker, Debresser,
Forsena, Gb8, Jerzy, KTo288, Kos93, Malinaccier, Miq, Muprs, Ninetyone, Ntsimp, Ominae, Patrick Rogel, Rheo1905, Rjwilmsi, Siałababamak, User1389, Yousaf465, 15 anonymous edits
PTJ (Counter- terrorist Unit) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320315817 Contributors: Boksi, Buttons, Malcolmxl5, Ominae, 2 anonymous edits
Special Tactics and Rescue (Singapore) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320343876 Contributors: Alai, Closedmouth, Coat of Arms, Darklegions, Dave1185, Fonggf, Gnj,
Huaiwei, JDX, Ninetyone, Ominae, OneEuropeanHeart, Rettetast, Rjwilmsi, Seng Yew, SpaceFlight89, Susvolans, TheParanoidOne, Vsion, Whkoh, 56 anonymous edits
South African Police Service Special Task Force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=315061828 Contributors: Cossde, Deon Steyn, Elf-friend, Impi, Mifter, Nkcs, Rjwilmsi,
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Dwbird2, Error, Gothbag, Grafen, Gunsfornuns, Ingolfson, JeffJ, Koalorka, Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Nkcs, Ominae, Ordago, ROG5728, Technopat, Welsh, Wiki alf, Zeno Gantner, 30 anonymous
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Unidad Especial de Intervención Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320769839 Contributors: 219.106の者, Aldis90, Cander0000, Coat of Arms, D.E. Watters, EDomingos,
Lbunker, Necrothesp, Nkcs, Technopat, 16 anonymous edits
Special Task Force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=317457936 Contributors: Aldis90, Apokrif, Appraiser, Arunantamil, Askari Mark, Bigdottawa, Black Falcon,
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Watchdogb, Woohookitty, Yucatann, 63 anonymous edits
National Task Force Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320275876 Contributors: Adimovk5, Bronks, Dfct, Follgramm3006, Insane99, Killerman2, Kissekatt, Liftarn, MER-C,
Necrothesp, Ninetyone, Paul Barlow, Pearle, RJFJR, Robert Weemeyer, Shisha, Skrivbok, Slarre, TexMurphy, Thonil, 29 anonymous edits
Piketen Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=317652164 Contributors: Adimovk5, Demesne of Misery, Liftarn, NawlinWiki, Ninetyone, Ojan, Skrivbok, Ynhockey, 21
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Thunder Squad Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=303266970 Contributors: Aldis90, Alvestrand, BigHaz, Britans, Closedmouth, Htra0497, IForce, J04n, K kc chan, Nat,
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Naresuan 261 Counter- Terrorism Unit Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=321975075 Contributors: Blah28948, Farahato, Gend07000, LilHelpa, Ulric1313, 1 anonymous
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Berkut (Ukraine) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=324162875 Contributors: Akhristov, Alex Spade, AlexPU, Ceriy, DDima, Mzajac, Nkcs, Sardanaphalus, Sasha1024,
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Specialist Firearms Officer Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=320915581 Contributors: Blackshod, Depictionimage, Dumelow, Fluzwup, Handcockshalfhour, Heron,
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Sfan00 IMG, Smidsy999, UtriqueP, Zatoichi1564, 21 anonymous edits
Specialist Firearms Command Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322825145 Contributors: 293.xx.xxx.xx, Adolphie, Alexius08, Alexsau1991, Anskas, Bobblewik, Caffine
junky, Canley, Carpsio, Ceyockey, Chris j wood, Cmprince, Cnyborg, Coccyx Bloccyx, Colonies Chris, Conquistador2k6, Corporal Punishment, Cruftbane, DXRAW, Dan100, DanBealeCocks,
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Diplomatic Security Service Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=322807094 Contributors: Ahoerstemeier, Alynna Kasmira, Andy Marchbanks, Astral, Bapho, Bedtelyon,
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United States Marshals Service Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=323826762 Contributors: 0Bammer, 2112 rush, 55Hanson, Aboutmovies, AdrianLozano, Alex43223,
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Shentino, Skapur, Sm8900, Stature791, Streltzer, Thewinchester, UsedToLoveH.E.R., 63 anonymous edits
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Image:Special Action Force US Embassy guards.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Special_Action_Force_US_Embassy_guards.jpg License: Public Domain
Contributors: Ominae
Image:Omon-logo.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Omon-logo.jpg License: logo Contributors: BrokenSegue, Chris 73, Project FMF, Roninbk
Image:OMON.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:OMON.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Dezidor
Image:OMON soldiers in Red Square, Moscow.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:OMON_soldiers_in_Red_Square,_Moscow.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Flickr.com user "lazyoldsun"
Image:Tambov OMON in Nizhny Novogord.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tambov_OMON_in_Nizhny_Novogord.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Lzhl
Image:dpir.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dpir.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Zatoichi1564
Image:DPIR 2 092.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:DPIR_2_092.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Zatoichi1564
Image:dpir1.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dpir1.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Zatoichi1564
Image:Image-Swat_133.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Image-Swat_133.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Zatoichi1564
File:SAJ emblem.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_emblem.png License: Public Domain Contributors: MUP Srbije
File:SAJ Zastava MUP RS.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_Zastava_MUP_RS.png License: Public Domain Contributors: author of drawing Milan Jovanović
File:SAJ badge.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_badge.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Boksi, KTo288
File:SAJ anti-riot equipment.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_anti-riot_equipment.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ weapons.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_weapons.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ M4 rifle.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_M4_rifle.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ members.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_members.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:Guide dogs K-9.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Guide_dogs_K-9.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ Land Rover.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_Land_Rover.JPG License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ ghillie suit.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_ghillie_suit.jpg License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:SAJ CT member.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAJ_CT_member.jpg License: unknown Contributors: User:Boksi
File:PTJ emblem.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:PTJ_emblem.png License: Public Domain Contributors: MUP Srbije
File:PTJ unit flag.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:PTJ_unit_flag.png License: Public Domain Contributors: MUP Srbije
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 360
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/