VIP Protection Unit (Hong Kong)

VIP Protection Unit

要員保護組 (Chinese)
Active| 1972; 52 years ago (1972) –
Present
Country|

* China
* Hong Kong

Agency| Hong Kong Police Force
Type| Protective security unit
Role| Air assault
Bomb disposal
Close-quarters battle
Counter sudden attacks
Counterintelligence
Counterterrorism
Covert operation
Crowd control
Direct action
Executive protection
Force protection
Hostage rescue
HUMINT
Reconnaissance
Special operations
Tactical emergency medical services
Urban warfare
Operations jurisdiction| Hong Kong
Part of| 'B' Department - Crime and Security Wings
Common name| G4 (Former)
VIPPU (Current)
Structure
Officers| Approx. 90
Commanders
Current
commander| Senior Superintendent Lu Shilong
Notable
commanders| Craig Foster[1]

The VIP Protection Unit (Abbreviation: VIPPU; Chinese: 要員保護組), otherwise known as G4 (originally Section G, Division 4) is a protective security unit branch of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) that specialized in anti-irregular military, counter sudden attacks, counterterrorism, crowd control, executive protection, hostage rescue, tactical emergency medical services, tactical special operations, and support provide security to important locations that are at risk of attack or terrorism.

## Introduction

[edit]

The original name had been given to the unit since it is the 4th division of the former Royal Hong Kong Police Force's Special Branch (RHKPF Special Branch).[2]

Following the disbanding of the RHKPF Special Branch in 1995, the VIP Unit was reassigned under the Security Wing of the HKPF after the handover in 1997.

## Training

[edit]

It has primary responsibility for the personal safety of HKSAR Chief Executive and his/her core family (previously, the Governor and his family before the handover in 1997), high-rank government officials, VIPs and visiting dignitaries to Hong Kong, therefore the training techniques taught to all VIPPU officers include counter sudden attacks, hostage rescue, VIP protection, and unarmed combat.[3]

In addition they also undergo training in anti-irregular military, basic Trauma Life Support and English and Putonghua fluency, CBRN defense, climbing in different situations using ropes, combat and patrolling in urban areas, control crowd, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, defusing and disposal of bombs, fast-roping, firearms, hand-to-hand combat, HUMINT, physical and tactical training, marksmanship, reconnaissance in hostile environments, SERE, tactical emergency medical, tactical driving, and undercover.[4] They also practice simulation exercises with the PTU and the SDU.[4]

## Vehicles

[edit]

* Luxury bullet-proofed armoured cars are often deployed in protective missions.

## Weapons

[edit]

The standard issue sidearms for all VIPPU is the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 for females or officers with smaller hands while the short version of the Heckler & Koch MP5 is the standard SMG and could be deployed in multiple variants, such as the K, K-PDW and Coffer.

Apart from firearms, ASP expandable batons or a Taser are carried for less-than-lethal options to the VIPPU officers. Flashbangs and smoke grenades are also used to provide cover for escorting the VIP when being attacked by intruders.

## Known involvement

[edit]

The VIP Protection Unit are involved in protecting Hong Kong from any kind of disturbances, including demonstrations at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Hong Kong.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Off Beat".
2. ^ Unofficial Hong Kong Police page. Retrieved on 16 February 2008.
3. ^ Specialist Units Gear Up For World Bank-IMF Meeting in Hong Kong. Retrieved on 16 February 2008.
4. ^ a b "Off Beat".
5. ^ Baptism of fire. Retrieved on 28 August 2008.