Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)

Unit within the Hong Kong Police Force

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Police Tactical Unit (PTU)

PTU patch

Active| 1958 - present
Country|  Hong Kong
Branch| Hong Kong Police Force
Type| General Safety Control
Anti-crime
Role|

* Internal security
* Crowd control
* Anti-crime operations
* Disaster response
* Riot control

Size| ~2,000 regulars
~1,000 echelon
Part of| Operations Wing
Garrison/HQ| 1 Wu Tip Shan Road, Fanling
Nickname(s)| Blue Berets
Motto(s)| Failing to plan is planning to fail
Colours|   Olive Green

Military unit

The Police Tactical Unit (PTU; Chinese: 警察機動部隊) is a unit within the Hong Kong Police Force which provides an immediate manpower reserve for use in large-scale emergencies.[1]

## Duties

[edit]

Unit companies are attached to all land Regions and are available for internal security, crowd control, anti-crime operations, disaster response and riot control throughout Hong Kong.

The PTU is also the parent organization of the Special Duties Unit (SDU),[2] which specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue,[3] and the Special Tactical Contingent (STC), which specializes in riot control drawing members from other units including the PTU Headquarters and SDU for temporary ad hoc tasks.[4]

The PTU base and training camp is located in Fanling.[5]

## History

[edit]

The PTU was established in 1958, known then as the Police Tactical Contingent (PTC).[1] The PTC's name changed to the PTU in 1968.[1]

In 1969, the PTU was allowed to wear the beret as their standard headgear, which lead to the unit being known locally as the "Blue Berets".[1]

According to a list of Refurbishment of Government Building projects released online by the Architectural Services Department, the PTU HQ's gymnasium, toilets and store room at Block M is proposed to be renovated for HK$5 to 10 million.[6]

## Duties

[edit]

The PTU is responsible for training HKPF officers stationed within the Emergency Unit.[7]

## Organization

[edit]

The PTU is made up of eleven companies, comprising in total about 2,000 officers. Each company (under the command of a Superintendent) is made up of 4 platoons, each led by an Inspector or Senior Inspector. A platoon comprises 32 Officers with 1 Station Sergeant (senior NCO) and 8 Sergeants.

The unit consists of the Training Division, Support Division, Research and Development Division, Emergency Unit, Special Tactical Contingent and the Special Duties Unit.[2]

* Police Tactical Unit officers stop to check a suspect.

* PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.

* PTU officers stand guard behind a barricade.

* PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.

* PTU officers cross a street toward police vans.

* PTU operating at an intersection during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.

* PTU operating during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.

* PTU officers deploying roadblock at Admiralty

## Vehicles

[edit]

### Current

[edit]

* Toyota Coaster
* Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
* Mercedes-Benz Atego
* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
* Ford F550; made in China and named Sabertooth[8][9]

### Former

[edit]

* Isuzu NPR
* Bedford TJ
* Toyota Dyna
* Saxon (vehicle)[10]
* Alvis Saracen[11]
* Mercedes-Benz Vario
* Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000[12]

## Equipment

[edit]

### Personal gear

[edit]

* Baton
* Pepper spray
* S10 respirator[13]
* Green Load Bearing Vest
* 5.11 Tactical Load Bearing Vest

### Firearms

[edit]

Name  | Country of origin  | Type  | Notes

|
|
|

Smith & Wesson Model 10 |  United States | Revolver | Standard issue[13]
Remington 870 | Shotgun
Colt AR-15 | Semi-automatic rifle
Federal Model 201-Z Riot Gun | Less lethal option
Penn Arms GL-1 Compact  | Revealed in 2019
Pepperball | VKS, FTC/Tippmann 98 and TCP variants in use
Byrna HD  |  South Africa | Pepper projectile pistol
Piexon JPX4  |   Switzerland
QBZ-191 |  China | Assault rifle | Ceremonial use only

## In popular culture

[edit]

* Tactical Unit (film series)
* On the First Beat

## See also

[edit]

* Airport Security Unit (Hong Kong)
* Special Duties Unit

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "PTU the protector of the public (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
2. ^ a b "A' Department (Operations) | Hong Kong Police Force".
3. ^ "Off Beat".
4. ^ "Hong Kong Police Review 2019".
5. ^ "List of Access Officer (for Publication) - (Hong Kong Police Force)" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-08-18.
6. ^ "List of Refurbishment of Government Building - Projects proposed in 2023-24" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-08-18.
7. ^ "Hong Kong police to trial new anti-riot weapon for tackling violent disorder". Archived from the original on 9 May 2022.
8. ^ "Hong Kong's anti-riot 'Saber-toothed Tigers' ready for 25th SAR anniversary". 28 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-05-28.
9. ^ "6 new anti-riot armoured vehicles to hit Hong Kong roads ahead of handover bash". 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25.
10. ^ "News".
11. ^ "Hong Kong's Saracen armoured police cars on patrol in small-town England". 23 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26.
12. ^ "HK police reveal armored trucks to fight protests". 8 August 2019.
13. ^ a b "Hong Kong Police riot squad's equipment in detail". 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24.

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