Type Special Forces | Size Classified | |
Active (PTT) 197? – 1 November 1993(STAR) 1 November 1993 – Present Role Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement | ||
The Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR, Chinese: 警察特工队) is the elite SWAT equivalent of the Singapore Police Force. Its official task is to provide the Singapore police with a tactical armed-response capability, and its motto is "Vigilance, Valour, Victory".
Contents
Origins & History
STAR started off in the late 1970s as a part-time outfit called the Police Tactical Team (PTT), and was mainly used to contain civil disorder. During the early days, the Police Tactical Team was a motley crew of volunteer officers from the Police Task Force (PTF), who served even on their days off for a monthly allowance of $50.
The PTT, although drawing expertise from the PTF, were still limited in their operational readiness, skills and capability. Resulting from the need to provide the Singapore Police Force with a dedicated armed response team, with expertise assistance of Hong Kong Police Force's Special Duties Unit, the PTT was re-formed into STAR under the Special Operations Command on 1 November 1993.
The unit is known for resolving cases assigned to them without being engaged in gunfights in Singapore.
Pre–11 September
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 VIPs and escorting of particularly dangerous prisoners.
Post–11 September
After the events of 11 September, 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.
The STAR unit has been involved in the arrest of an AWOL and armed 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.
Selection and training
Application to join the STAR unit is open to both public and police officers through the open recruitment exercise every year around October to December.
To get the best people for the job, the unit holds an intensive and rigorous selection process. During this process, candidates have to undergo a full-day screening to evaluate both their physical and mental capabilities. After which, they are put through psychological assessments and an interview is conducted by an interview panel. Successful applicants will be notified to undergo a final medical review before starting their intensive two-month training and orientation.
During the two months, the candidates will be put through another series of tests to evaluate their capabilities in given situations. Those who make it through the selection week (aka hell week) will then embark on a six-month training course which includes doctrinal and practical sessions in related disciplines.
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, Israeli Border Guard's Yamam, Germany's GSG 9, and the Australian SASR. The officer exchange program with the Special Duties Unit has been ongoing since 1998.
Weapons and equipment
STAR officers use weapons that include:
Additionally, STAR deploys equipment for breaching and entering buildings, as well as a dedicated STAR Assault Vehicle, based on the Land Rover SUVs used by the British SAS, for entering normally inaccessible areas.
In popular culture
Fictional Television programs