They also share their tactics and insights with other Home Team units, as only SPEAR has this unique expertise.

The selection process for SPEAR candidates requires them to go through a 500m standard obstacle course that includes monkey bars and a high wall; run 2km while wearing a weighted vest and a respirator mask; sprint 400m, then climb seven flights of stairs while carrying a total of 15kg of weights in both hands.

[3] The five-month long training program is called SPEAR Tactical Course (STC) and it equips officers with the tactical know-how in order to handle crucial situations such as hostage rescues and high-risk escorts.

[3] A main feature of STC is the close-quarters riot control (CQRC), which sees officers learning an essential skill set that encompasses weapons training, close quarter combat (CQC) and other tactical capabilities.

Upon achieving competency in those areas, they will proceed on to harness their ability to execute scenario-based missions.