Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit

History

The Beijing SWAT and Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU) were unveiled in a demonstration at the Beijing People's Police College on April 27, 2006, as part of a public relations effort to illustrate the capabilities of the Beijing 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-terrorism units.

In June 2008, the unit's 120-operator 1st Detachment was nicknamed Blue Sword Commando Unit ().

In 2009, the Ministry of Public Security and National anti-terrorism office designated the Blue Sword Commando Unit as one of China's 10 National level anti-terrorism commando units, which are China's main non-military anti-terrorism units and are also responsible for training SWAT in smaller agencies.

Role

Typically expected of a police tactical 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 and anti-riot duties.

Organization

The Beijing SWAT is divided into sub-units consisting of but not limited to: an aviation unit (航空队), an underwater diving unit (潜水队), female SWAT unit (女子特警队) and a K9 unit (警犬队).

Training

Recruits are selected from six colleges, including the Beijing Sports University and Chinese People's Public Security University.

Beijing SWAT members are trained, aside from combat tactics, in many subjects including English, etiquette, cultural dynamics, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and anti-riot and anti-nuclear and biological warfare tactics.

All SWAT operatives undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Weapons and equipment

It is reputed to be one of the most well-equipped and well-trained of all the tactical units of public security agencies in the PRC.

The unit is armed with a variety of domestically manufactured weapons such as QBZ-95 assault rifles and QSZ-92 pistols.

Vehicles

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the local government allocated CNY 280 million for the Beijing SWAT to procure equipment for operations, some of which went into purchasing specialized vehicles for various duties including the Hummer H2 and APC's.

References

References

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2. (2005-12-21). "Beijing Sets up Special Police Unit for Olympics Security". Xinhua.
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5. "Ma Zhenchuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee and Director of MPSB Presents Flag to Beijing SWAT Blue Sword Commando". Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
6. (2015-11-17). "我国反恐力量盘点：召之即来 来之能战 战之必胜".
7. link. Sohu.com. (2006-09-01)
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11. (2006-09-01). link. News.cn