Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit

Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics File:36sw6.jpg 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] 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. 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). 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. 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. 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 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 prepare to storm a building during a practice session. Note the paintball guns. SWAT officers storm a building in a mock exercise. SWAT officers storm a building in a mock exercise. References China Daily (2006). Police unit goes public. Accessed on 23rd October, 2006. Xinhua Daily (2005). Beijing Sets up Special Police Unit for Olympics Security. Accessed on 23rd, October 2006. 王姝 (2006). 新京报 The Beijing News - 北京特警总队首次公开亮相 (Beijing SWAT Unit's first public appearance). Accessed on 6th, November 2006. 北京特警队进行技能演练 展示反恐防暴技术 (Beijing SWAT Teams perform Special Maneouvres during Counter-terrorist Exercises). Accessed on 6th, November 2006. 北京民警节后将装备以色列12万元高级拐弯枪 (Beijing police imports CornerShot from Israel for 120,000 yuan).Accessed on January 1 2006 See also 2008 Summer Olympics Special Weapons and Tactics Special Police Unit Snow Wolf Commando Unit External links 北京警方展现2008奥运安保特警实力 (Beijing Police demonstrates 2008 Olympics Security Measures) Special Report and Photo Gallery of the Beijing SWAT Team in Action Additional Comprehensive News Reports and Photo Gallery 法国“黑豹”特警队为北京特警进行模拟战术培训 (Beijing SWAT trained by French R.A.I.D) TVB News snippet on YouTube.com, the Snow Wolf Commando Unit shows up at the end