Specialized police unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A police tactical unit (PTU)[a] is a specialized police unit trained and equipped to handle situations that are beyond the capabilities of ordinary law enforcement units because of the level of violence (or risk of violence) involved.[2][3][4] The tasks of a police tactical unit may include executing dangerous search warrants and arrest warrants for dangerous persons; arresting or neutralizing dangerous or mentally ill armed persons; and intervening in high-risk situations such as shootouts, standoffs, hostage-takings, and terrorist incidents.[5][6]
Police tactical units are dedicated units composed of personnel selected and trained in tactical skillsets to carry out the responsibilities of the unit, and in use-of-force policies, including lethal force for counterterrorism.[8] A PTU is equipped with specialized police and military-type equipment.[9] A PTU may have specialized combat assault dogs with personnel trained as dog handlers.[10] PTU personnel may also be trained in crisis negotiation.[11]
A police tactical unit can be part of either a police force under the authority of civilian officials,[12] or a gendarmerie-style force under the authority of civilian officials (interior ministry) or a defence ministry that may have formal military status.[13][12] Other government agencies, depending on the country, may establish specialized units with comparable taskings, training, and equipment, such as border guard, coast guard, customs, or corrections.[14]
In the United States, police tactical units are known by the generic term SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team;[15][16] the term originated from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1960s.[17][15][18] In Australia, the federal government uses the term police tactical group.[3] The European Union uses the term special intervention unit for national counterterrorist PTUs.[19]
Police tactical units have similarities to military special forces units such as organization, selection, training, equipment, and operational methodologies.[20][21] Police tactical units, similar to military units, are not gender diverse, with female members being rare.[22][23]
For "certain counter terrorism operations, such as hostage rescue, there is a significant convergence of roles, tactics and force when employed in either an armed conflict or policing role".[24] Aside from counterterrorism, the roles of police and military units differ in that the role of military units can result in the use of the maximum permissible force against enemy combatants while the role of police units is to use only minimal force sufficient to subdue suspected criminals, including negotiation.[25][26][27]
Police tactical unit personnel use helmets similar to those issued by military, such as the PASGT helmet or Future Assault Shell Technology helmet, though they may also use riot helmets or soft headgear such as caps. Balaclavas and goggles are often used to protect the face and protect the identities of team members.[28][29][additional citation(s) needed] Ballistic vests, sometimes including rigid plate inserts, are standard-issue.[29]
Units are equipped with special weapons that are not normally used by regular police units, typically military firearms such as assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, smoke grenades and stun grenades.[30][31][32][33][34]
Police tactical units often employ "armored rescue vehicles" (ARV),[35] for insertion, maneuvering, and during operations such as the rescue of personnel and civilians who may be in danger of receiving fire from suspects if extracted through other methods.[36][37]
Police aircraft, commonly helicopters, are used to provide aerial reconnaissance or insertion via rappelling or fast-roping.[citation needed]
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