Victoria Police Special Operations Group

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is the Police Tactical Group of the Victoria Police.

History

The Special Operations Group was formed in 1977 [ [http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=173 Victoria Police - Special Operations Group (SOG) ] ] . Its main function was to provide a response to politically motivated and criminal terrorist activity. Today, this remains the number one priority for the Special Operations Group. The SOG is the Victoria Police equivalent of a full-time tactical (SWAT) team. Victorian SOG officers assisted the Tasmanian Special Operations Group during the infamous Port Arthur massacre in 1996 [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s59767.htm] .

Mission

The SOG responds to unplanned operational critical incidents such as sieges and siege hostage situations, armed offender tasks and bomb response incidents. They also assist operational police in planned operations involving apprehension of dangerous suspects [ [http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=173 Victoria Police - Special Operations Group (SOG) ] ] .

Principal roles

* Protecting endangered witnesses
* Resolving siege and hostage situations, as well as armed offender situations
* Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations
* Undertaking searches of premises in high risk situations
* The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
* Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations
* Providing support services for major operations
* Escorting and protecting VIPs and other at risk or important persons
* Bomb disposal operations

The SOG also provides specialist assistance in performing tasks which are beyond the scope of operational police. Some of these tasks may require specialist equipment or expertise in certain areas.

Unofficial name

SOG has the unofficial nickname within the police as being the "Sons of God", an acronym made from the initials S.O.G. and named in reference to the fact that special operations officers are involved in dangerous and high risk situations.The nickname also draws from the SOGs own view towards themselves as being the "peacemakers" which is also noted as being a passage in the Bible, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God." - Matthew 5:9.

SOG officers are also affectionately known within Victoria Police circles as "soggies" although it is noted within police circles that it is not advisable to use the nickname directly towards SOG officers [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/general/one-false-move/2005/10/15/1128796742694.html One false move... - General - In Depth - theage.com.au ] ]

References

ee also

imilar Australian units

* Australian Defence Force - Tactical Assault Group

International units

* SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics)
* List of Special Response Units

Related articles

* National Anti Terrorism Exercise
* Counter-terrorism

External links

*en icon [http://www.police.vic.gov.au/ Victoria Police official website]