Special Emergency Response Team (Queensland)

In mid-1966, Jack Pizzey, then Minister for Education and Police, instructed the Commissioner of Police to form an Emergency Squad. Hand-picked officers completed specialised training with the New South Wales Police Force similarly named unit and became operational in 1968.{{cite web |title=From the Vault – Spring Hill Siege 1976 |url=https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum/2014/04/29/vault-spring-hill-siege-1976/ |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=29 July 2018 |date=29 April 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171226/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum/2014/04/29/vault-spring-hill-siege-1976/ |url-status=live }} Initially, the Squad included 33 men, handpicked and trained in tactics to apprehend armed offenders in siege situations, hijacking of aircraft and counter-terrorism.

In the mid 1980s, the Emergency Squad was a part-time unit of 50 officers, from various sections of the Brisbane Criminal Investigation Branch and from uniform, with officers performing normal policing duties and responding to incidents as required.{{cite book|title=Police source book 2 / edited by Bruce Swanton and Garry Hannigan ; assisted by Trish Psaila|date=1985|publisher=Australian Institute of Criminology|location=Phillip, A.C.T|isbn=0642078319|url=https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/police-source-book-2.pdf|accessdate=19 September 2020|archive-date=22 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722173048/https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/police-source-book-2.pdf|url-status=live}} In addition, a small six man Emergency Squad was located in Townsville to respond to incidents in North Queensland and to act in a holding capacity until the arrival of Brisbane officers.

In 1987, the Emergency Squad was divided into sub-units and renamed the Tactical Response Group (TRG). In 1989 the Tactical Response team, a part of the TRG became a separate unit, the Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS). SWOS was a part-time unit with officers performing normal policing duties, responding to incidents as required and training one day per a fortnight.

In 1992, the Queensland Police Service established a full-time dedicated police tactical group the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) from SWOS.{{cite web |title=S.E.R.T Special Emergency Response Team |url=http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/join/documents/LR_SERT_160709.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930150307/http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/join/documents/LR_SERT_160709.pdf |archivedate=30 September 2009}}{{cite web |title=Special Emergency Response Team |url=http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/sert_sept2010_web.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327155725/http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/sert_sept2010_web.pdf |archivedate=27 March 2012}} The role of SERT also included undertaking of high angle rescue and land search coordination.{{cite web |title=Sections and Squads |url=http://www.police.qld.gov.au:80/qps/squads/ssb_1.ssi |website=Queensland Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980113231606/http://www.police.qld.gov.au/qps/squads/ssb_1.ssi |archivedate=13 January 1998 |access-date=9 July 2021 |url-status=live }}

SERT had a long tradition of training with Japanese police Special Assault Team officers providing an opportunity to share tactics, equipment and training methodologies.{{cite magazine|title=Japanese officers put to the test in the Sunshine State|journal=Police Bulletin |date=April 2007 |issue=314 |pages=26–27 |url=http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/bulletin/314/documents/Page%2026-27%20-%20Japanese%20officers%20put%20to%20the%20test%20in%20Sunshine%20State.pdf|issn=1325-1376|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829185835/http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/bulletin/314/documents/Page%2026-27%20-%20Japanese%20officers%20put%20to%20the%20test%20in%20Sunshine%20State.pdf|archivedate=29 August 2007}}

Notable recent incidents include disarming an armed man in the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane in March 2013.{{cite news |title=Queen Street Mall gunman Lee Matthew Hillier sentenced to 4 ½ years' prison |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queen-street-mall-gunman-lee-matthew-hillier-sentenced-to-4---years-prison-20140124-31d2z.html |accessdate=29 July 2018 |work=Brisbane Times |date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200545/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queen-street-mall-gunman-lee-matthew-hillier-sentenced-to-4---years-prison-20140124-31d2z.html |url-status=live }} In December 2018, SERT assisted in the apprehension of two gunmen during a six-hour long siege in Auchenflower, wherein one officer was shot at, but not wounded.{{cite news |title=Two men charged over six-hour siege in Brisbane suburb of Auchenflower face court |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-04/men-charged-over-six-hour-siege-in-brisbane-suburb/10579784 |accessdate=4 December 2018 |work=ABC News |date=4 December 2018 |archive-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206053833/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-04/men-charged-over-six-hour-siege-in-brisbane-suburb/10579784 |url-status=live }} SERT contributed to the security forces assigned to protect the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In December 2022, SERT responded to the Wieambilla shootings after general duties police officers had been ambushed on a rural property at Wieambilla resulting in the death of two officers and a civilian.{{cite news |last1=Chamberlin |first1=Thomas |last2=Kyriacou |first2=Kate |title=Gunfire reports, SERT safety, dumped firearms: Key points for massacre inquest |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/inquest-to-probe-qps-response-into-reports-of-gunfire-before-wieambilla-massacre/news-story/d11eae6b99b8477da8b0fab71315da0e |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=The Courier-Mail |date=21 May 2024|url-access=subscription}} SERT operators were involved in a siege at the property for several hours with the three offenders who they killed.{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Sarah |title=Police helicopter audio reveals how the Queensland shooting siege unfolded |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-15/police-shooting-queensland-polair-audio-trains/101769710 |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 December 2022}} The windscreen of SERT's armoured vehicle, a BearCat, was damaged by gunfire. The ambush has since been declared a religiously motivated terrorist attack.{{cite news |last1=Hinchliffe |first1=Joe |title=Wieambilla shootings labelled Australia’s first Christian terrorist attack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/16/wieambilla-shootings-australia-christian-terrorist-attack-queensland-police |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=16 February 2023}} The siege is regarded as the most dangerous operation ever undertaken by SERT.{{cite news |last1=Messenger |first1=Andrew |title=‘Doesn’t have to be this way’: police pleaded with Wieambilla killers to surrender before final shootout |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/07/wieambilla-shooting-massacre-inquest-train-family-police-operation-ntwnfb |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=7 August 2024}}

The primary unit of SERT is based in Brisbane part of the Specialist Response Branch in the Operations Support Command within Queensland Police Service.{{cite web |title=Operations Support Command |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/organisational-structure/crime-counter-terrorism-and-specialist-operations/operations-support |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=9 October 2019 |date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009152136/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/organisational-structure/crime-counter-terrorism-and-specialist-operations/operations-support |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Wotton v State of Queensland (No 5) [2016] FCA 1457 |url=https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2016/2016fca1457 |website=Federal Court of Australia |accessdate=9 October 2019 |date=5 December 2016 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009151413/https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2016/2016fca1457 |url-status=live }} The sub-unit based in Cairns is part of the Far North District in the Far Northern Region under the operational command of the Specialist Response Branch. The Specialist Response Branch also includes the Negotiator Coordination Unit and Explosive Ordnance Response Team (EORT) who both work closely with SERT.{{cite magazine|title=When the going gets tough |journal=Police Bulletin |date=April 2010 |issue=347 |pages=36–37 |url=http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/bulletin/347/documents/Bulletin347.pdf |publisher=Queensland Police Service |issn=1325-1376|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330161728/http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/bulletin/347/documents/Bulletin347.pdf |archivedate=30 March 2012}}{{cite web |title=Explosive Ordnance Response Team |url=http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/eort_sept2010_web.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428125522/http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/eort_sept2010_web.pdf |archivedate=28 April 2013}} SERT has its own police dogs.{{cite web |title=Meet the QPS calendar dogs |url=https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2015/08/07/meet-the-qps-calendar-dogs/ |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=1 August 2018 |date=7 August 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124857/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2015/08/07/meet-the-qps-calendar-dogs/ |url-status=live }}

The role of SERT includes:

• counter-terrorism operations
• resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations
• undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations
• arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
• escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations
• high angle rescue
• less lethal tactics deployment
• water and airborne operations and insertion
• witness protection.

In 2006, to qualify for a three-day selection course SERT candidates have to undergo a gruelling fitness regime.{{cite magazine|title=SERT at home in high-risk environment|journal=Police Bulletin |date=October 2005 |issue=298 |pages=7–8|url=http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/documents/Bulletin_298.pdf|publisher=Queensland Police Service |issn=1325-1376|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918042018/http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/documents/Bulletin_298.pdf|archivedate=18 September 2006}}

They must complete a minimum of 10 chin ups, 35 push-ups and 100 sit-ups all to cadence, then run {{convert|10|km}} in under 46 minutes and finally swim {{convert|400|m}} in under 10 minutes. All this is done consecutively without a rest.{{cite web |last1=Coolican |first1=Sergeant Cary |title=Just One Shift: SERT Officer |url=https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/farnorth/2016/06/06/just-one-shift-sert-officer/ |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=2 August 2018 |date=6 June 2016 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223437/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/farnorth/2016/06/06/just-one-shift-sert-officer/ |url-status=live }} This is the minimum fitness standard required, and is assessed with zero tolerance.

The three-day selection course is regarded as the most difficult and physically demanding course within the Service. It tests physical and mental endurance through individual and team tasks, problem solving, sleep deprivation, basic survival skills and by challenging phobias for example heights and closed spaces. Several female officers have attempted selection.{{cite news |last1=Kyriacou |first1=Kate |title=Queensland Police SERT training puts hopefuls through three days of hell |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-police-sert-training-puts-hopefuls-through-three-days-of-hell/news-story/70e803f24f97f9c8081621f6f01ba794 |work=Courier Mail |date=29 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180802113409/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-police-sert-training-puts-hopefuls-through-three-days-of-hell/news-story/70e803f24f97f9c8081621f6f01ba794 |archivedate=2 August 2018 |access-date=2 August 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite AV media|author1=Erin Edwards (Reporter)|title=SERT Part 2-SERT's rigorous selection process|medium=Television production|url=https://www.facebook.com/7NewsBrisbane/videos/514703075812/|date=16 July 2012|accessdate=3 August 2018|work=Seven News Brisbane}}

Candidates who are successful on the selection course are invited to attend a 14-week training course where all the skills of the unit are taught. The first four weeks consist of physical training, two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, interspersed with weapons validations and training. The next two weeks consist of rural tactics and marksman training. The next six weeks consist of close quarter tactics, methods of entry, tactical driving, roping, fast roping and other skills.

Upon graduation, successful applicants can apply for available positions where they are put into a team where further training and validations are required before becoming operational. Specialist courses are then attended including water operations, breaching, advanced roping, advanced close quarter tactics and opportunities to attend advanced training with other police and military units.

In April 2011, SERT took delivery of a Lenco BearCat armoured vehicle designated the Armoured Response Vehicle (ARV), provided by the Queensland Government and with the internal layout and configuration specially designed to SERT's specifications.{{cite news |title=QLD spends $400k on an armoured vehicle |url=http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2011/04/19/article/QLD-spends-400k-on-an-armoured-vehicle/ZYYADFDXLW |work=Government News |date=19 April 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722085617/http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2011/04/19/article/QLD-spends-400k-on-an-armoured-vehicle/ZYYADFDXLW |archivedate=22 July 2011}}{{cite press release |author1=Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Neil Roberts |title=New armoured vehicle boosts SERT'Ss capabilities |url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/74455 |publisher=Queensland Government |accessdate=29 July 2018 |date=18 April 2011 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171300/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/74455 |url-status=live }} In July 2012, SERT received a second Lenco BearCat provided by the Commonwealth Government that is based in Cairns.{{cite press release|author1=Attorney General for Australia Nicola Roxon|title=New high-tech 'Bearcat' armoured rescue vehicles announced|url=http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/First%20Quarter/15-March-2012---New-high-tech-Bearcat-armoured-rescue-vehicles-announced.aspx|publisher=Attorney-General's Department|archivedate=16 March 2012|date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316230857/http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/First%20Quarter/15-March-2012---New-high-tech-Bearcat-armoured-rescue-vehicles-announced.aspx|access-date=28 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Armoured Rescue Vehicle launched in Cairns |url=https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/farnorth/2012/07/25/armoured-rescue-vehicle-launched-in-cairns/ |website=Queensland Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202054103/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/farnorth/2012/07/25/armoured-rescue-vehicle-launched-in-cairns/ |archivedate=2 December 2014 |date=25 July 2012}} In March 2017, the QPS received a third Lenco vehicle, a Bombcat, similar to the BearCat, but modified to transport a bomb disposal robot, for the Explosive Ordnance Response Team.{{cite press release |title=QPS launch new EORT armoured vehicle |url=https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2017/03/22/qps-launch-new-eort-armoured-vehicle/ |accessdate=29 July 2018 |publisher=Queensland Police Service |date=22 March 2017 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729113902/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2017/03/22/qps-launch-new-eort-armoured-vehicle/ |url-status=live }} In January 2017, SERT took delivery of an OzBot Titan robot, designed by Deakin University for SERT, that can remotely, breach doors and windows, assist in the rescue of hostages, deliver and retrieve items in dangerous locations, and improve situational

awareness with its digital camera.{{cite news |last1=Vujkovic |first1=Melanie |title=OzBot Titan robot revealed as Queensland Police's latest initiative to protect officers |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-12/new-ozbot-titan-robot-could-help-qld-police-rescue-people/8347432 |accessdate=2 August 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=14 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514104847/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-12/new-ozbot-titan-robot-could-help-qld-police-rescue-people/8347432 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=OzBot Titan: the lifesaving police robot |url=http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/research-news/articles/ozbot-titan-the-lifesaving-police-robot |website=Deakin University |accessdate=2 August 2018 |date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223417/http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/research-news/articles/ozbot-titan-the-lifesaving-police-robot |url-status=live }} In 2023, the Queensland Government announced an additional BearCat would be acquired.{{cite press release |author1=Cameron Dick |author-link1=Cameron Dick |author2=Mark Ryan | author-link2=Mark Ryan (Australian politician) |title=Boost to Queensland Police Service armoured vehicle fleet |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97780 |website=Queensland Government |access-date=12 August 2024 |date=25 May 2023}}

The sidearm carried is the Staccato 2011, which is exclusive to the unit as regular officers carry Glock 22 pistols. M4 Carbine style of rifles are also used and are customized to suit the needs of the unit.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

File:PSRT shooting drills.jpg

Between July 2015 and January 2016, the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) part of the Specialist Services Group within the Operations Support Command, trialled a Mobile Response Capability (MRC), utilising structured teams of four PSRT officers based on the Victoria Police Critical Incident Response Team model.{{cite web |title=QPS Violent Confrontations Review |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/reportsPublications/Documents/QPS%20Violent%20Confrontations%20Review.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=26 July 2018 |date=2016 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709212340/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/queensland-police-service-corporate-documents/reports-and-publications |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2015-2016 |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/reportsPublications/annualReport/Documents/2015-16/QPS%20Annual%20Report%202015-16.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=29 July 2018 |archive-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607004455/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/reportsPublications/annualReport/Documents/2015-16/QPS%20Annual%20Report%202015-16.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Public Safety Response Team |url=http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/psrt_sept2010_web.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428125543/http://www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/Resources/policerecruit/documents/psrt_sept2010_web.pdf |archivedate=28 April 2013}} The success of the trial has resulted in the MRC becoming embedded in the PSRT capability, primarily servicing Brisbane Metropolitan, Logan, and Ipswich Districts.{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2016-2017 |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/reportsPublications/annualReport/Documents/2016-17/QPS-Annual-Report-2016-17.pdf |website=Queensland Police Service |accessdate=29 July 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171115/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/corporatedocs/reportsPublications/annualReport/Documents/2016-17/QPS-Annual-Report-2016-17.pdf |url-status=live }} The MRC roles are to support first-response officers at high-risk situations to de-escalate the incident and also to conduct patrols around priority sites and critical infrastructure and places of mass gatherings to provide a timely response in the event of an incident.{{cite news |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Thomas |title=Queensland Police Service's Public Safety Response Team packing high-powered assault rifles |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/crime-and-justice/queensland-polices-public-safety-response-team-packing-highpowered-assault-rifles/news-story/c773ef64b7900c2186e15e59ac2e97bb |work=The Courier-Mail |date=7 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180801081022/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/crime-and-justice/queensland-polices-public-safety-response-team-packing-highpowered-assault-rifles/news-story/c773ef64b7900c2186e15e59ac2e97bb |archivedate=1 August 2018 |access-date=29 July 2018 |url-status=live }} The MRC has the ability to assist with containment and cordon placements of high-risk situations until the arrival of SERT and assist with hostage reception. MRC officers have a range of specialised equipment including helmets and ballistics shields, and are issued with Remington R4 and SIG Sauer SIGM400 rifles, and have a range of less-than-lethal options, including the Penn Arms 40mm grenade launcher, Remington 870 loaded with bean bag rounds and pepper-ball gun.{{cite news |title=EXCLUSIVE: On the road with Qld's crack new police squad |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/exclusive-on-the-road-with-qlds-crack-new-police-squad-29347296.html |accessdate=29 July 2018 |work=Yahoo7 News |date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200549/https://au.news.yahoo.com/exclusive-on-the-road-with-qlds-crack-new-police-squad-29347296.html |url-status=live }}

{{Portal|Queensland}}

• Police Tactical Group
• Australian Defence Force Tactical Assault Group

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://www.police.qld.gov.au/ Queensland Police official website]

{{Aust PTG}}

Category:Police units of Australia

Category:Queensland Police Service

Category:Police tactical units

Category:1968 establishments in Australia