Special Tactical Squad

The Special Tactical Squad (Abbreviation: STS; Chinese: 特別戰術小隊, nicknamed Raptors; Chinese: 速龍小隊) is a paramilitary task force of the Hong Kong Police Force, being a sub-division of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU). It was created in June 2014 to handle protests with its main tasks being crowd control and riot control, including when the PTU suffered from heavy blockade or obstruction. Examples were obstacle removal, conducting arrests, providing first aid, etc. The STS would also conduct observational and command related tasks, to ensure and review the Police Tactical Unit's use of force and tactics are appropriate, to further improve from past events. A report by Amnesty International singled out the Special Tactical Squad and riot police for "the worst abuses" of excessive force during the 2019-20 protests, noting that "almost every arrested person interviewed described being beaten with batons and fists during the arrest, even when they were not resisting and often already restrained," along with multiple hospitalizations.[1]

Special Tactical Squad
特別戰術小隊
AbbreviationSTS
MottoFailing to plan is planning to fail
Agency overview
FormedJune, 2014
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionHong Kong
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Counter terrorism, special weapons operations. Protection of internationally protected persons, other very important persons, and-or of state property of significance.
Operational structure
Overviewed byHong Kong Police Force
HeadquartersWu Tip Shan Road, Fanling
Parent agencyHKPF Operations and Support Department's Operational Bureau
Notables
Significant operations
Special Tactical Squad removes obstacles from Tamar Street in Hong Kong

History

In order to handle Occupy Central, the principle of the Police Tactical Unit, Chief Superintendent Au Yeung Chiu Kong Danko established the Special Tactical Squad task force in late June 2014. From its establishment, it was referred to as Removal Team internally in the police force. As Occupy Central evolved into the 2014 Hong Kong protests, the Removal Team got exposure in the press. The Hong Kong media gave it the nickname of Professional Removal Team. As Occupy Central continued, the squad gained further attention. On 30 Nov 2014, the Chief Superintendent of the Police Tactical Unit, Au Yeung Chiu Kong Danko, officially named it as the Special Tactical Squad.[2]

The Special Tactical Squad within the Hong Kong Police Force was stripped of their special task force status, and instead put within the police structure as an official unit.[3]The unit mainly consists of operators from Special Duties Unit, Airport Security Unit, Counter-Terrorism Response Team and Railway Response Team.

On 9 February evening, 2016, in an escalation of the civil unrest, protesters changed their tactics, overwhelming the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Special Tactical Squad were deployed as a result. They arrived at the intersection of Soy Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South at 4:30 am, where they quickly cleared protesters. However, after 5 minutes, due to the lack of reinforcements, they were forced to retreat, with one constable injured.

Selection training

Police officers require training in thermal cutting and obstacle removal.[4]

Uniform
STS Patch worn by officers.

Work Uniform: Dark Blue,[6] similar to other police units' uniform, including the Police Tactical Unit's work uniform, Airport Security Unit's work uniform, Marine Region's work uniform, Police Dog Unit's action uniform, Force Search Unit's work uniform, etc. To void of the media's confusion, and to be easily recognizable by the public, there is an emblem in their righter chest area, writing "Police Tactical Unit Special Tactical Squad" in English (as a continuation after the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau as the second police unit to have their unit title on their police work or action uniform). Other than that, constables must stick on coloured labels on their helmet during daytime, and insert a fluorescent stick (including yellow or red colours, depending on their team) in night time, as for easier recognition by a commanding officer.

Equipment
2 STS officers standing on the mobile platform. (Photo taken on 25 November, Mong Kok Reclamation Street)
ASP 21-inch (53 cm) expandable baton in expanded and collapsed state
STS officers with a Sponge-grenade gun.

Medical

Riot Control

Lethal and Less-Than-Lethal Deterrents
  • Smith & Wesson Military & Police (Used by officers from EU, PTU and the Marine police)
  • Glock 17 (Used by operators from SDU, CTRU, ASU and RRT)
  • Remington Model 870
  • H&K MP5A3 (Used by operators from SDU, CTRU and ASU)
  • H&K MP5SFA2 (Used by EU officers)
  • AR-15 (Used by PTU officers)
  • SIG Sauer SIG516 (Used by SDU and CTRU operators)
  • Pepper Spray/OC Spray
    • Sabre Red Pepper Spray (Mk. 3 & Mk. 9 Models)
    • Riot Specialized Pepper Spray
    • Pepper-spray projectile
    • OC Water Jet Pack, in the ratio of 350mL of OC Liquid to 14L of pure water, within a container, carried on the back or placed on the ground, far distance and accurate spray.[9]
    • OC grenade (UK N225 & CHN KF-302-20)
  • 37/38mm Federal Riot Gun
    • NonLethal Technologies™ MP-6M5-CS /Model CS-565 Tear Gas rounds, 5 rounds per projectile, able to discharge at 50–70 meters.
    • NonLethal Technologies™ MP-4-R3 /Model 373 Rubber Baton rounds, 3 rounds per projectile, able to discharge at 40–50 meters.
    • Norinco NF01-3 Tear Gas rounds, 3 rounds per projectile, able to discharge at 50–70 meters.
  • ARWEN 37 Multiple-Shot Less Lethal Launcher (Used by SDU operators)
  • Batons

Others

S10, FM 53, Canadian C4 Gas mask

  • Megaphone
  • Wire Cutters
  • Electric Drill
  • Mobile Platform, 4 officers are in charge of protecting and pushing the platform, alongside 2 officers on the platform to observe, conduct forensic filming, announce, command, etc.[11]

Major Incidences

Occupy Central, Umbrella Revolution, Umbrella Movement
Main article: Occupy Central with Love and Peace
  • STS in Queensway rapidly removing obstacles.
  • STS & PTU in Queensway rapidly removing obstacles.
  • PTU creating a blockade the Mong Kok Occupied Area, while STS officers push the mobile platform.
  • 2 STS officers standing on the mobile platform.
  • Closeup of a STS officer standing on the mobile platform.
  • STS in Causeway Bay rapidly removing obstacles.

2016 Mong Kok Civil Unrest
Main article: 2016 Mong Kok civil unrest

2016 Anti-Interpretation Protest
Main articles: Protest to Hong Kong Liaison Office and Occupy Central with Love and Peace

2019 anti extradition bill protests

Squads were deployed to disperse the crowds after clashes between the protesters and the police started. During some of the protests in August, protesters threw Molotov cocktails, bricks, metal pipes etc., and the squads deployed tear gas canisters, rubber bullet, beanbag rounds to disperse them, live-fire weapons were also deployed. Many of the officers were accused for using excessive force during arrests and while dispersing the protesters. Most notably during the 2019 Prince Edward station attack and the siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.[12][13] SDU operators from Special Tactical Squad were also known to have disguised as protesters to make arrests,[14] in which they were accused by some citizens for committing illegal acts such as setting fire on the street during their undercover assignments, thereby achieving their goals of false flag operations.[15]

Action record

See also

References
  1. Hong Kong: Arbitrary arrests, brutal beatings and torture in police detention revealed "amnesty.org" 19 September 2019
  2. Police Tactical Unit officially name the "Special Tactical Squad" "on.cc" 1 December 2014
  3. What's the name of the blue shirt unit? "Metro Daily" 12 December 2014
  4. Police Elite Team rapidly removes obstructors "Singpao" 1 December 2014
  5. New shorts and beret "Offbeat" 724th Publication
  6. Blue uniformed unit officially named "Special Tactical Squad" "Oriental Daily" 1 December 2014
  7. Anti-cut Gloves "Oriental Daily" 9 March 2015
  8. New boots for blue berets "Offbeat" 761st Publication
  9. OC Water Jet Pack even stronger than pepper spray 852Post 25 November 2014
  10. New respirator pouch 《Offbeat》 721st Publication
  11. OC Spray and Pepper Spray "Oriental Daily" 26 November 2014
  13. 警武器升級 疑飛虎狙擊手戒備
  14. "飛虎扮示威者挑打鬥再拉人". Apply Daily (in Chinese). 11 August 2019.
  15. "銅鑼灣放火暴徒 網友肉搜竟是飛虎隊假扮的" (in Chinese).
  16. Protesters and the Speedy Dragons "Oriental Daily" 2/12/2014
  17. Protesters and the Speedy Dragons "The Sun, Oriental Daily" 2/12/2014
  18. CP and SDG members thank officers for contributing to Operation SOLARPEAK "Offbeat" 1033rd Publication
  19. CP encourages officers engaged in Operation SOLARPEAK "Offbeat" 1025th Publication
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