[1] The concept was created for guerrilla bush warfare and the personnel were both black and white policemen.

[4] PATU was formed in 1966 by the BSAP Chief Superintendent Bill Bailey who had served in the SAS during the Second World War.

[4] Bailey had observed tactics of the Long Range Desert Group and believed that smaller specialist units that could be deployed faster were more advanced ways to win wars.

Following the start of the Rhodesian Bush War, Bailey was given permission by the BSAP to set the unit up.

[1] The group would always be led by a black policeman from a tribe who had tracking and hunting skills and would act as interpreter.