Special Tactics and Rescue (Singapore)

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Special Tactics and Rescue

Special Tactics and Rescue Insignia
Active (PTT) 197? - 1 November 1993
(STAR) 1 November 1993 - Present
Country Singapore
Branch Singapore Police Force
Type Special Forces
Role Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
Size Classified
Part of Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQ Queensway Base
Nickname Police Commandos, STAR Unit
Motto Vigilance, Valour, Victory
Decorations 1994 Johore Shield Team,
1995 Johore Shield Team,
1995 SAPU & STAR Challenge Shield Team,
1996 Johore Shield Team,
1996 ISPSC Team,
1997 ISPC Team,
1997 SAF Invitation Team,
1997 World Police & Fire Games,
1998 ISPC Team,
1999 ISPC Team,
1999 SAF Invitation Team,
2000 ISPC Team,
2001 ISPC Team,
2002 Singapore Shooting Festival Team,
2002 CNB Invitation,
2002 Thailand Open National Championship Team
Commanders
Current
commander		 Arthur Law Kok Leong
Notable
commanders		 Cyril V Gabriel (Pioneer OC, 1978)
Patrick Tay
A special newspaper report on the STAR team was featured in "The Straits Times", a local Newspaper. circa 1999.
A special newspaper report on the STAR team was featured in "The Straits Times", a local Newspaper. circa 1999.

The Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) is the SWAT/HRT equivalent of the Singapore Police Force. Its official task is to provide the Singapore Police Force with a tactical armed-response capability, and its motto is "Vigilance, Valour, Victory".

The PTT (and later STAR) Team's standard attire. circa 1993.
The PTT (and later STAR) Team's standard attire. circa 1993.

Contents

[edit] Origins & History

STAR started off in the late 1970s as a part-time outfit called the Police Tactical Team (PTT), and was mainly used to contain civil disorder. During the early days, the Police Tactical Team was a motley crew of volunteer officers from the Police Task Force (PTF), who served even on their off days for a monthly allowance of $50.

The PTT, although drawing expertise from the PTF, were still limited in their operational readiness, skills and capability. Resulting from the need to provide the Singapore Police Force with a dedicated armed response team, the PTT was re-organised into STAR under the Special Operations Command in 1st November, 1993.

[edit] Duties

[edit] Pre-September 11

Prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the role of STAR was to engage in neutralising armed and dangerous criminals, to resolve urban sieges that may involve hostages or firearms, protection of VVIPs and escorting of particularly dangerous prisoners.

[edit] Post-September 11

After the events of September 11, the unit was also to undertake anti-terrorism duties. In 2005, STAR acquired a new maritime assault capability to augment the Police Coast Guard and the Republic of Singapore Navy in dealing with sea-borne threats.

[edit] Selection and Training

Application to join the STAR unit is open only to serving police officers, senior officers and TRACOM trainees.

To get the best people for the job, the unit holds an intensive and rigorous selection process. During this process, candidates have to undergo a full-day screening to evaluate both their physical and mental capabilities. After which, they are put through psychological assessments and an interview is conducted by an interview panel. Successful applicants will be notified to undergo a final medical review before starting their intensive two-week training and orientation.

During the two weeks, the candidates will be put through another series of tests to evaluate their capabilities in given situations. Those who make it through the final selection will then embark on a six-month training course which includes theory and practical sessions in related disciplines.

The STAR team is known to have sent officers extensively for overseas training attachments and study visits with units such as Hong Kong's Special Duties Unit (SDU), Israeli Border Guard's YAMAM unit, Germany's GSG-9, and the Australian SASR. The officer exchange program with Hong Kong's SDU has been ongoing since 1998.

[edit] Weapons and Equipment

STAR officers use weapons that include the G-36C and SAR-21 Assault Rifle, MP5 submachine gun, various shotguns, with Sphinx 3000 pistols (replacing the Glock 17 and 19) as their sidearm. They also employ a variety of sniper rifles.

STAR is also known to employ a wide variety of equipment for breaching and entering buildings, and a dedicated STAR Assault Vehicle, based on the Land Rover SUVs used by the British SAS, for entering normally inaccessible areas.

[edit] Trivia

  • The STAR team is sometimes confused with the Police Coast Guard's Special Task Squadron (STS), the Prisons Service's Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response (SPEAR) Force and the Army's Special Operations Forces (SOF).
  • STAR was featured in a Chinese language movie called the Frontline.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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