Beijing SWAT

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Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics

Arm patch of the Beijing SWAT
Active December 2005 - Present
Country People's Republic of China
Branch People's Armed Police
Type Special Forces
Role Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement, including Riot control
Size No official figures,
estimated at 970
Part of Internal Guard Corps
Engagements Is being tasked to undertake security operations in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

The Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (Abbreviation: SWAT; Simplified Chinese: 北京特警总队; also known as Beijing Special Police Force) is a police unit in the People's Republic of China 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 Wolf Commando Unit, is tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is reputed to be one of the most well-equipped and well-trained of all the SWAT/Special Police Units in the PRC.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

The Beijing SWAT unit and Snow Wolf Commando Unit 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 People's Armed Police to deal with terrorism issues, protection of delegates, and to enforce law and order in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The unit has in recent years received training and advice from Western counter-terrorist units such as France's Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (RAID) unit.

[edit] Organization

The Beijing SWAT Unit is divided into sub-units consisting of but not limited to: a Helicopter Unit (飞虎队; nicknamed Flying Tigers), an Underwater Diving team (蛙人队; nicknamed Frogmen), a female officers Special Police Unit (女子特警队) and a Police Dog Unit (警犬队).

[edit] Role

Typically expected of a SWAT-type 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 duties. The Beijing SWAT unit is no exception, however they are also in charge of riot control as well as other duties.

[edit] Weapons and equipment

The unit is armed with a variety of domestically manufactured weapons such as Type 85 sub-machine guns, QBZ-95 assault rifles and QSZ-92 pistols, although they are also known to have purchased a mixture of American and European equipment to further augment their capabilities such as EOTech holographic weapon sights, battering rams, pepper spray, Cornershot and ballistic shields among others.

[edit] Vehicles

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the local government has allocated CNY 500 million[2] (approximately US$ 63.5 million) for the Beijing SWAT team to procure equipment for their operations, some of which has gone into purchasing specialized vehicles for various duties. These vehicles include the American-made Hummer H2 and Ford assault vehicles, and Mercedes escort vehicles.

SWAT officers simulate a hostage rescue during the 2007 April security demonstrations.

SWAT officers prepare to storm a building during a practice session. Note the paintball guns

SWAT officers storm a building in a mock exercise.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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