Special Security and Protection Battalion
| Special Security and Protection Battalion | |
|---|---|
| File:Special Security and Protection Battalion Logo.jpg Logo of the Special Security and Protection Battalion | |
| Active | 2011-Present |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Type | Protective security units |
| Role | Bodyguard |
| Size | About 1400 Staff |
| Part of | Bangladesh Police |
| Nickname(s) | SPBn |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Biswas Afzal Hossain as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) |
| Notable commanders | Md. Haider Ali KHAN, Superintendent of Police (Commanding Officer) |
The Special Security and Protection Battalion (Abbreviation: SPBn) is a branch of the Bangladesh Police.
Introduction
The Special Security and Protection Battalion is raised as an specialized police unit to provide protection to the Honorable President, the Head of the Government of Bangladesh (Prime Minister) and any person designated as VIP by the Government including visiting foreign dignitaries. It is also responsible for the security of VIPs’ offices and residences and venues of programs. It works alongside Special Security Force (SSF), Special Branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and President Guard Regiment (PGR). Though it was formed on December 26, 2011 it formally started its operation on July 4, 2013.
Organization
This specialized unit of Bangladesh Police is headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police. Primarily it has two specialized battalions each headed by a Superintendent of Police (Commanding Officer). Each battalion has 700 members including 12 Additional Superintendents, 15 Assistant superintendents, 33 Inspectors and sufficient number of Sub-Inspectors, assistant sub-Inspectors, Naek and Constables. All the officers and personnel come from Bangladesh Police through an intensive selection procedure.
Training
It has primary responsibility for the safety of VIPs and visiting dignitaries to Bangladesh, therefore the compulsory training techniques taught to all SPBn officers/members include VIP protection and unarmed combat.[1]
They also undergo training in firearms, attack and ambush, motorcade protection, crowd control, self-defense, tactical driving, physical and tactical training, swimming, search and sweeping techniques, IED and EOD training, fire evacuation and crisis management and basic trauma life support. They also practice simulation exercises in the firing range. Out of their internal training wing, the trainers from Special Security Force, President Guard Regiment, Fire Service and Civil Defense department and other training experts from Bangladesh Police conduct the training. The training courses vary from two to six weeks. Mahiuddin Khan alomgir, Minister of Home Affairs, inaugurated the first training course for the officers of SPBn.
Vehicles
Nissan Patrol Y61 and Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series are the SUVs often deployed in protective missions. They also use pick up and motorcycle.
Weapons
The standard issue sidearms for all SPBn is the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 while the short version of the Heckler & Koch MP5 is the standard SMG and could be deployed in multiple variants. SPBn started to use the highly sophisticated weapon-SMT-9 (Made in Brazil) from March, 2015 for their duty.
Apart from firearms, an ASP expandable batons or a Taser are carried for less-than-lethal options to the SPBn officers. Flashbangs and smoke grenades are also used to provide cover for escorting the VIP when being attacked by intruders.
See also
References
- ^ "Special Security and Protection Battalion". The Daily Sun. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
2. Md. Haider Ali KHAN, Superintendent of Police (Commanding Officer), SPBn