| South African Police Service Special Task Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1976 - present |
| Country | South Africa |
| Branch | South African Police Service |
| Type | Counter-terrorism |
| Part of | Under control of Division Operational Response Services |
The South African Police Service Special Task Force (SAPS STF) is the special operations element of the South African Police Service (SAPS).The STF is considered to be among the best of such units in the world.
The STF has a formidable reputation in counter terrorism and insurgency and hostage rescue. Unlike most civilian/police counter terrorist units around the world, the special task force is also trained to conduct military special operations and has done so on many occasions, operating with their military counter parts, especially during the long 30 year border war. Indeed they are internationally regarded as deadly exponents in the art of bush warfare. A fact worth mentioning is that during the 70's and 80's, during the border war, many British SAS volunteered for selection, many passed and consequently served in the South African Special forces.
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After a hostage siege at the Israeli embassy on 28 April 1975 which became known as the Fox Street Siege the South African government decided to establish a special police unit to deal with situations such as hostage situations.
In 1976 the Task force was activated. The Task Force falls under operational control of the Division: Operational Response Services and is responsible for dealing with all high-risk operations, such as hostage situations on land, sea and air, including rescue-related operations.
Prospective members have to be at least 21 years old and must have served at least two years in the South African Police Service. The volunteer must also show certain personal traits such as maturity, leadership skills, and sound judgment. All Task Force applicants are volunteers and have to comply with stringent physical requirements before being admitted to the basic training and selection course. The basic training course is twenty-six weeks long and includes weapons, rural and urban combat as well as basic parachute training courses. Compulsory advanced courses include special skills such as diving, VIP protection, explosives and medical training. The total initial training period is nine months, but completing all the requisite advanced courses to become a full-fledged Special Task Force operational member may last up to three years.[1]
Membership of the Special Task Force open to all male and female SAPS members with the rank of constable, sergeant or inspector.
In 2004 it was reported that the SAPS STF may have lost nearly 60 percent of its active members to private companies recruiting security personnel to work in Iraq.[2]
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