State Protection Group

History

Established in June 1991, the State Protection Group replaced four former specialist units; the Special Weapons and Operations Section (SWOS), the Witness Security Unit, regional Tactical Response Groups and the Police Rescue Squad. Later other sections were also added to the command including the Police Armoury, Negotiation section, Bomb disposal and Dog Unit. In recent years the Witness Security Unit was moved from the State Protection Group to the Anti Terrorism & Security Group.

Roles

Mission

"To provide extraordinary services to operational police in rescue, bomb disposal, high risk resolution, negotiation, specialised dog unit and Armoury services."

Organisation

The SPG currently consists of the following sections:

Tactical Operations Unit (TOU)

Since 1978, the Australian Government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan has required each state police force to maintain a specialist counter-terrorist and hostage-rescue unit (Police Tactical Group, aka SWAT team). The unit that now fulfills that role, the Tactical Operations Unit, has undergone a number of changes over the years.

Since 1945 the New South Wales Police Force has maintained a team of tactical police available for specialist operations with the creation of the 'Riot Squad' which consisted of a number detectives from '21 Division' to counter the number of armed hold ups that occurred after World War II. Over the following years it became known as the 'Emergency Squad' and in 1977 had its name changed to the 'Special Weapons and Operations Squad' (SWOS) with its size and role expanding, including a full-time complement of 27 officers and 400 part-time officers across the State.

In 1982 the Tactical Response Group (TRG) was created with units divided into groups of 25 officers across the four metropolitan regions with a primary role of responding to riots, demonstrations, disasters, saturation patrols and to support SWOS at emergency hostage/siege situations. TRG officers were mainly drawn from the ranks general duties police whereas SWOS were drawn from Detectives sections and branches.

In June 1991 both units were rationalised and dissolved with the creation of the Tactical Operations Unit with the aim of resolving high-risk incidents by containment and negotiation, with minimal or judicious use of force to be applied only as a last resort and based on full and careful assessment. Unlike the former SWOS and TRG, the TOU is a completely full-time assignment with a strength of 75 officers and is not responsible for riot control or crowd control situations, which are handled by the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS). The TOU is available to provide extraordinary assistance to operational police in high-risk incidents such as resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations across the State on a 24-hour basis. The TOU also conducts 'high risk' arrest operations of armed and dangerous offenders such as Ivan Milat, Malcolm Naden, or those involved in firearm incidents such as bikie related shootings.

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 equipped with a wide range of specialist firearms including Heckler & Koch UMP submachine guns and tactical shotguns. The TOU is equipped with a wide range of specialist vehicles including mobile command/support vehicles, armoured Chevrolet vans and two Lenco BearCat armoured Ford F550s.

The TOU feature in an in-depth article of 'On Duty' magazine detailing selection criteria and fitness requirements amongst other operational facets.

State Protection Support Units (SPSU)

The State Protection Support Unit provides specialist support to the Tactical Operations Unit in resolving high-risk incidents in regional New South Wales. The various State Protection Support Units across the State are involved in approximately 60 'high risk' operations per year.

Comprising part-time tactical operatives from non-metropolitan areas, the State Protection Support Unit consists of police whose primary duties cover a wide range of activities including general duties, highway patrol, investigations, and weapons training.

The types of operations that they can be called upon to undertake, in conjunction with the Tactical Operations Unit, include containing siege and armed offender situations; resolving siege and hostage situations; arresting armed and dangerous offenders, often in high-risk situations; conducting high-risk searches of premises; and escorting and providing security for internationally protected persons, heads of State and holders of high office who are assessed and determined to be at risk. The unit also provides support services for high-risk major operations.

Each year the State Protection Support Unit is involved in approximately 60 operations across the State which includes pre-planned operations and the execution of high-risk search warrants. While primarily a regional resource, the State Protection Support Unit can be deployed throughout the State to assist the Tactical Operations Unit.

Approximately 220 SPSU officers are on call across the state under regional command.

The TOU is responsible for the initial selection and training of SPSU volunteers, followed up by monthly local training and an annual TOU re-certification camp. The SPSU officers also attend various training camps organised by Tactical Operations Unit to maintain consistency in their training levels.

As the SPSU is a part-time unit and are not responsible for counter terrorist operations (responsibility lies with the TOU) they are not trained or equipped to the same level as the TOU. SPSU teams are equipped with a range of specialist tactical gear including less than lethal munitions such as Tasers, beanbags as well as various shotguns and M4/M16 semi automatic rifles.

The range of skills SPSU operators possess include bushcraft and navigation, close quarter tactics, entry methods, ballistic shield operations, cordon and perimeter operations, advanced weapons training, and less than lethal tactics.

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. Negotiators work hand in hand with other units of the State Protection Group in order to resolve incidents peacefully.

Roles and tasks

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 provision of plans and photographs of premises.

Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit

Originally created in 1942 as the Police Cliff Rescue Squad for the express purpose of recovering the bodies of suicide victims, or rescuing persons trapped on cliffs, the Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit has undergone numerous changes and expansions over the years. Apart from responding to 000 (emergency calls) calls, the Police Rescue Unit provides specialist search and rescue support of operational police in situations of any risk category. This support extends from searches for evidence, to working with negotiators at extreme heights.

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.

The Units core responsibilities include:

Some of the Rescue Unit's responsibilities and challenges include:

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. Prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the Bomb Disposal section was amalgamated with the Rescue Unit.

The Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit is based in Alexandria (Sydney). Decentralized units are based in the Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Goulburn, Bathurst, Lismore and Illawarra (formerly Wollongong). The mostly part-time decentralized units are responsible for rescue and bomb appraisal operations within their local area.

The unit was the subject of an Australian ABC television series (1991–1996) and a 1994 feature film, Police Rescue.

Rescue Squad Major Involvements

It is estimated that the unit has attended over 300,000 jobs in the past 60 years. The Unit has been involved in some of the States, and Australias, largest incidents including the following:

Police Armoury

The Police Armoury was established in 1872 and provides specialist engineering services, maintenance and supply of ammunition, firearms and weapons systems 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 1932 and 1953 and was reintroduced in 1979.

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.

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.

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 Year's Eve or sporting events, etc.

The Dog Unit currently has the following capabilities/specialist dogs:

NSW Police Force general purpose and tactical dogs are also issued their own sets of canine body armour/ballistic vests.