Rapid reaction forces of Japanese police From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riot Police Unit[2] (機動隊, Kidō-tai) are the rapid reaction forces of Japanese prefectural police. These units are not only riot police, but a type of emergency service unit to maintain public order against large civil disorder, disaster response, or other emergency situations as the key units of Japanese law enforcement for crisis management. They are operated by prefectural police headquarters (PPH) under the supervision of the Security Bureau of the National Police Agency.[2][3]
| Riot Police Unit | |
|---|---|
| 機動隊 | |
| |
| Active | 1957 – present |
| Country | Japan |
| Agency | Prefectural police |
| Role | |
| Structure | |
| Sworn members | Approx. 8,000 (full-time members)[1] |
Before World War II, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) established the Emergency Service Unit (特別警備隊, Tokubetsu-keibi-tai). During the war, as air raids on Japan intensified and civilian casualties increased, the TMPD ESU was enhanced for relief missions and renamed as the Security Unit (警備隊, Keibi-tai). At the same time, it was decided to set up similar units in other prefectures with major cities. However, in 1946, the Security Units were disbanded as part of police reforms enacted by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers under the occupation.[4]
Shortly after the TMPD ESU was disbanded, the Guard Section (防護課, Bougo-ka) was created for the same role. In 1948, this unit was reinforced to the Police Reserve Units (予備隊, Yobi-tai).[4] In addition, similar but smaller-scale riot squads were created in several other prefectures to deal with post-war turmoil. In 1952, under the direction of the National Rural Police Headquarters (国家地方警察本部, Kokka-chihō-keisatsu Honbu), the Riot Police Units were created with 20 prefectures with large cities. In 1957, the TMPD Reserve Units were renamed the Riot Police Unit. By 1962, all PPHs had the same kind of units.[5]
Riot Police Units comprise the main strength of the Security Departments (警備部, Keibi-bu) of each prefectural police headquarters. Most PPHs have only one unit, but some urban PPHs have multiple units. For example, there are ten units (nine ordinary units and one Special Vehicle Unit) in the TMPD.[6]
Each unit consists of a headquarters and some companies.[7] The public relations divisions, known as "DJ cops", are placed in each unit headquarters. They rely on eloquent and humorous speaking to prevent crowd disasters.[8]
The equipment of the anti-riot officers is largely the same as that of regular police officers. However, equipment used in riot control operations, such as protective gear, may differ. And within the Riot Police Units, there are certain squads with specific equipment and training.
Also, as non-permanent units prepared for large scale disasters, the Interprefectural emergency rescue units (広域緊急援助隊, Kouiki-kinkyū-enjotai) have been established based on the lesson of the Great Hanshin earthquake. Members of these units work mainly in Riot Police Units or Regional Riot Police Units during peacetime, but they regularly gather and train in preparation for disasters.[1]
Full-time riot police units can also be augmented by auxiliary riot police units with regular police officers trained in riot duties. There are two types of auxiliary riot police units:
Riot Police Units have been widely deployed in dealing with large civil disorder, disaster response, counter-terrorism operations, and so on as below:
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