Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)
{{Short description|Unit within the Hong Kong Police Force}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Police Tactical Unit (PTU)
| image = Hongkong police patch.JPG
| image_size = 250px
| caption = PTU patch
| country = {{flagcountry|Hong Kong, China}}
| type = General Safety Control
Anti-crime
| branch = Hong Kong Police Force
| dates = 1958 - present
| specialization = {{ubl|Internal security|Crowd control|Anti-crime operations|Disaster response|Riot control}}
| command_structure = Operations Wing
| size = ~2,000 regulars
~1,000 echelon
| current_commander =
| garrison = 1 Wu Tip Shan Road, Fanling
| ceremonial_chief =
| nickname = Blue Berets
| motto = Failing to plan is planning to fail
| colours = {{colorbox|#808000}} Olive Green
| march =
| mascot =
| battles =
| notable_commanders =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| identification_symbol =
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}}
The Police Tactical Unit (PTU; {{zh|t=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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200811/21/P200811210279.htm|title=PTU the protector of the public (with photos)|website=www.info.gov.hk|access-date=2017-02-27}}
Duties
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),{{cite web | url=https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/01_about_us/os_os.html | title=A' Department (Operations) | Hong Kong Police Force }} which specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue,{{cite web | url=https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/610/ehead.html | title=Off Beat }} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2019/en/hkpf_eng04.html | title=Hong Kong Police Review 2019 }}
The PTU base and training camp is located in Fanling.{{cite web|url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/doc/lao_en.pdf|access-date=2023-08-18|title=List of Access Officer (for Publication) - (Hong Kong Police Force)}}
History
The PTU was established in 1958, known then as the Police Tactical Contingent (PTC). The PTC's name changed to the PTU in 1968.
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".
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.archsd.gov.hk/media/projects/refurbishment-list.pdf|access-date=2023-08-18|title=List of Refurbishment of Government Building - Projects proposed in 2023-24}}
Duties
The PTU is responsible for training HKPF officers stationed within the Emergency Unit.{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3152075/hong-kong-protests-police-trial-new-anti-riot-weapon |title=Hong Kong police to trial new anti-riot weapon for tackling violent disorder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509173330mp_/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3152075/hong-kong-protests-police-trial-new-anti-riot-weapon |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-status=dead}}
Organization
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.
File:Police inspection in hk.jpg|Police Tactical Unit officers stop to check a suspect.
File:Metal workers' protest in Hong Kong (Aug 2007) - 2007-08-14 15h36m30s DSC07119.JPG|PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
File:Keeping an eye on things.jpg|PTU officers stand guard behind a barricade.
File:Metal workers' protest in Hong Kong (Aug 2007) - 2007-08-14 15h35m22s DSC07115.JPG|PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
File:Metal workers' protest in Hong Kong (Aug 2007) - 2007-08-14 15h52m40s DSC07141.JPG|PTU officers cross a street toward police vans.
File:Metal workers' protest in Hong Kong (Aug 2007) - 2007-08-13 14h49m30s DSC02159.JPG|PTU operating at an intersection during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
File:Metal workers' protest in Hong Kong (Aug 2007) - 2007-08-13 14h50m42s Panorama 2.JPG|PTU operating during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
File:PF MTW AM7364 PTUD3-1.jpg|PTU officers deploying roadblock at Admiralty
Vehicles
= Current =
- Toyota Coaster
- Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
- Mercedes-Benz Atego
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Ford F550; made in China and named Sabertooth{{cite web |date=28 May 2022 |title=Hong Kong's anti-riot 'Saber-toothed Tigers' ready for 25th SAR anniversary |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3179531/new-hong-kong-police-anti-riot-saber-toothed-tigers-ready-ahead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528163327/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3179531/new-hong-kong-police-anti-riot-saber-toothed-tigers-ready-ahead |archive-date=2022-05-28}}{{cite web |date=25 May 2022 |title=6 new anti-riot armoured vehicles to hit Hong Kong roads ahead of handover bash |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3179149/6-new-anti-riot-armoured-vehicles-hit-hong-kong-roads |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525125503/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3179149/6-new-anti-riot-armoured-vehicles-hit-hong-kong-roads |archive-date=2022-05-25}}
= Former =
- Isuzu NPR
- Bedford TJ
- Toyota Dyna
- Saxon (vehicle){{cite web |title=News |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/889/eng/n02.htm}}
- Alvis Saracen{{cite web |date=23 January 2016 |title=Hong Kong's Saracen armoured police cars on patrol in small-town England |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1903597/hong-kongs-saracen-armoured-police-cars-patrol-small-town |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126063602/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1903597/hong-kongs-saracen-armoured-police-cars-patrol-small-town |archive-date=2016-01-26}}
- Mercedes-Benz Vario
- Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000{{cite web |date=8 August 2019 |title=HK police reveal armored trucks to fight protests |url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/08/hk-police-reveal-armored-trucks-to-fight-protests/}}
Equipment
= Personal gear =
- Baton
- Pepper spray
- S10 respirator{{cite web |date=17 February 2016 |title=Hong Kong Police riot squad's equipment in detail |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1913695/hong-kong-police-riot-squads-equipment-detail |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624014956/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1913695/hong-kong-police-riot-squads-equipment-detail |archivedate=2016-06-24}}
- Green Load Bearing Vest
- 5.11 Tactical Load Bearing Vest
= Firearms =
| class="wikitable" border="0" width="100%"
! width="25%" |Name ! width="25%" |Country of origin ! width="25%" |Type !Notes |
| Smith & Wesson Model 10
| rowspan="6" |{{Flag|United States}} |
| Remington 870 |
| Colt AR-15 |
| Federal Model 201-Z Riot Gun
| rowspan="5" |Less lethal option |
| Penn Arms GL-1 Compact
|Revealed in 2019 |
| Pepperball
|VKS, FTC/Tippmann 98 and TCP variants in use |
| Byrna HD
|{{Flag|South Africa}} | rowspan="2" |Pepper projectile pistol |
| Piexon JPX4
|{{Flag|Switzerland}} |
| QBZ-191
|{{Flag|China}} |Ceremonial use only |
In popular culture
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)}}