Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit explained

Unit Name:Beijing Municipal
Public Security Bureau
Counter-Terrorism and
Special Police Unit
Native Namea:北京市公安局
反恐怖和特警总队
Dates:December 2005 - present
Country:China
Agency:People's Police
Type:Police tactical unit
Command Structure:Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau
Headquarters:Beijing
Common Name:Beijing SWAT
Sworn Type Label:Officers
Sworn:970[1]
Programmes:-->
Significant Operations:2008 Beijing Olympics security duties

Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Counter-Terrorism and Special Police Unit referred to as Beijing SWAT, is a police tactical unit in the People's Republic of China part of the People's Police that deals with incidents beyond the capabilities of normal patrol officers such as hostage situations, high risk warrants and riot control. The unit, along with the Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU), was tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics.[2] It is reputed to be one of the most well-equipped and well-trained of all the tactical units of public security agencies in the PRC.[3] Jurisdictionally the unit is under the control of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.[4]

History

The Beijing SWAT unit and Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU) were unveiled in a demonstration at the Beijing Police Academy on April 27, 2006, as part of a public relations effort to illustrate the capabilities of the Beijing Police to deal with terrorism issues, protection of delegates, and to enforce law and order in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[5] The unit has in recent years received training and advice from Western counter-terrorism units.In June 2008, the unit's 120-operator No. 1 Detachment was renamed Blue Sword (蓝剑, "Lán jiàn") Commando Unit.[6] [7]

Role

Typically expected of a police tactical unit from any country will be the role of a tactical response team to handle hostage-rescue, high-risk warrants, VIP or dangerous criminal escort duties and sometimes counter-terrorism and anti-riot duties.[1] [5] [8]

Organization

The Beijing SWAT Unit is divided into sub-units consisting of but not limited to: a aviation unit (航空队), an underwater diving unit (潜水队), female SWAT unit (女子特警队) and a K9 unit (警犬队).[1] [9]

Training

Recruits are selected from six colleges, including the Beijing Sports University and Chinese People's Public Security University.[1] Beijing SWAT members are trained, aside from combat tactics, in many subjects including English, etiquette, cultural dynamics, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and anti-riot and anti-nuclear and biological warfare tactics.[10] All SWAT operatives undergo psychiatric evaluation.[1]

Weapons and equipment

The unit is armed with a variety of domestically manufactured weapons such as QBZ-95 assault rifles and QSZ-92 pistols.

Vehicles

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the local government allocated CNY 280 million for the Beijing SWAT to procure equipment for operations,[10] some of which went into purchasing specialized vehicles for various duties including the Hummer H2 and APC's.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: There's something special about this team. Zhu Zhe. 2010-03-11. 2006-12-08. China Daily.
  2. Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2005-11/25/content_3835464.htm. https://web.archive.org/web/20090113184455/http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2005-11/25/content_3835464.htm. dead. January 13, 2009. zh:北京警方展现2008奥运安保特警实力[组图]. 2010-03-11. Chinese. 2005-11-25. News.cn.
  3. Web site: Police unit goes public. 2006-09-10. 2010-03-11. Sina.
  4. Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2006-09/01/content_5033372.htm. https://web.archive.org/web/20070504132302/http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2006-09/01/content_5033372.htm. dead. May 4, 2007. zh:北京特警队进行技能演练 展示反恐防暴技术图. 2010-03-11. News.cn. Chinese. 2006-09-01.
  5. Web site: Beijing Sets up Special Police Unit for Olympics Security . 2010-03-11. 2005-12-21. Xinhua. https://web.archive.org/web/20100308064332/http://www.china.org.cn/english/government/152636.htm. 8 March 2010 . live.
  6. News: MacLeod . Calum . 2008-07-17 . Missiles, 100K police on China's Olympic team . USA Today . 2010-03-11.
  7. Web site: Ma Zhenchuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee and Director of MPSB Presents Flag to Beijing SWAT Blue Sword Commando. https://web.archive.org/web/20081230154721/http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/eng/contentAction.do?methodname=getArticleContent&id=19082. dead. 2008-12-30. Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. 2010-03-17.
  8. Web site: http://news.sohu.com/20060901/n245109413.shtml. zh:北京特警举行实战特技演习 重演大巴劫案(组图). Chinese. 2010-03-11. Sohu.com. 2006-09-01.
  9. Web site: http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0556/2006/09-01/018@205944.htm. https://web.archive.org/web/20061211101106/http://news.thebeijingnews.com/0556/2006/09-01/018@205944.htm. dead. 2006-12-11. zh:北京特警总队首次公开亮相. Chinese. 2010-03-11. Beijing News. 2006-09-01.
  10. Web site: http://finance.sina.com.cn/xiaofei/xfqqsh/20060810/09182808929.shtml. zh:奥运雪狼:北京奥运反恐训练直击. 2006-08-10. 2010-03-11. Chinese. Sina.