State Protection Group
[2] The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical, negotiation, intelligence and command-support services.
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.
The units were 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 barricaded hostage and siege situations.
The TOU conducts 'high risk' arrest operations of armed and dangerous offenders such as Ivan Milat,[12] Malcolm Naden,[13] or those involved in firearm incidents such as bikie related shootings.
Members of the TOU are equipped with a wide range of specialist firearms including tactical shotguns for less lethal options and breaching.
[26][27] along with the LaRue Tactical OBR 7.62 marksman rifle,[28] The TOU feature in an in-depth article of 'On Duty' magazine detailing selection criteria and fitness requirements amongst other operational facets.
[33] TORS provides specialist support to the Tactical Operations Unit in resolving high-risk incidents in regional New South Wales.
TORS 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 Assault rifles.
In 1991 with the creation of the SPG the term hostage was dropped due to the variety of call-outs the unit was used for and a small full-time cadre established.
[38] At present 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.
[6] Roles and tasks 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.
The Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit has undergone numerous changes and expansions over the years.
These officers are experts in abseiling, climbing, single rope techniques and stretcher escorts with cliff machines.
Decentralized units are based in the Blue Mountains,[45] Newcastle, Goulburn, Bathurst, Lismore and Oak Flats[46] (formerly Wollongong).
[47] Established in 2015, the newly formed Western Region Police Rescue Squad comprising general duty officers from Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth, Quirindi, Werris Creek, Armidale and Bourke provides specialist operational support to various police units across the Western Region.
[48] The unit was the subject of an Australian ABC television series (1991–1996) and a 1994 feature film, Police Rescue.
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.
