Specialist Response and Security

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Specialist Response and Security Team


caption=
country=
type=
branch= Australian federal Police
dates= 1978 - Present
specialization= Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
command_structure= Under control of the Australian Federal Police
size= 60 full-time Officers
current_commander= Detective Superintendent Rob Gilliland
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= SRS
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Pong Su incident, 2003 Canberra bushfires
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=

History

SRS are part of the Australian Government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan which requires, since 1978 each State/Territory Police Force to maintain a specialist counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit with specialist capabilities. The SRS fulfils this role within the Australian Capital Territory. Originally known as the Special Operations Team (SOT) the unit underwent significant changes in 2002 and was renamed to reflect the changes in early 2003 to Specialist Response and Security [ [http://www.abc.net.au/canberra/stories/s789990.htm Showcasing special police unit's talents :: ABC Canberra ] ] .

Currently commanded by Superintendent Brett McCann the Specialist Response and Security (SRS) section of ACT Policing provides a full time tactical operations unit who also perform search and rescue and riot control duties, a K9 section and bomb squad. The unit also commands the AFP's Police Negotiation Team, Water Police, Police Divers and Major Events Planning Team.

Role

SRS officer undertake the following duties within the ACT:

*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 [https://www.aps.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/3659/actpolicing_ar0405.pdf ACT Policing Annual Report 2004-2005 ] ] ;
*Rescue and bomb disposal operations;
*Counter-terrorism and hijacking operations;
*The escort and security of VIPs, internationally protected persons, Heads of State;
*Testing and evaulation of specialist less than lethal weapons/devices [ [http://www.afp.gov.au/media_releases/act/2006/police_srs_team_adopts_tasers Police SRS team adopts Tasers - AFP ] ]

SRS officers also provide support to international AFP deployments overseas as part of the Joint Task Force as the AFP's Operational Response Team (ORT). Such deployments as that were seen recently in East Timor 2006 and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003 [ [https://www.aps.gov.au/international/IDG/tactical_operations] ] .

Their role on such operations includes:

* effect high risk searches, search warrants and arrests
* support to public order policing remote rural patrols
* protection of people in high risk situations [https://aps.gov.au/act/on_the_beat/on_the_beat_archives/2006/14_march Royal visit to Canberra - AFP ] ]
* support to the security of members deployed to mission.

Units

The section consists of a number of units including:

* Water operations team
* Canine (K9) operations team [ [https://www.aps.gov.au/act/action/current_operations/canine_k9_operations Canine (K9) operations - AFP ] ]
* Bomb response team [ [http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/downloads/issues-papers/Corbell%20Police.pdf Microsoft Word - Corbell Police final 07 24.doc ] ]
* Tactical Response Team (SRS-TR)

The section also provides close personal protection to important dignitaries and heads of state visiting Australia .

References

ee also

* Australian Federal Police
* Australian Capital Territory Police
* Police Tactical Group
* Australian Federal Police - Specialist Response and Security Team
* flag|New South Wales - Tactical Operations Unit
* flag|Northern Territory - Territory Response Group
* flag|Queensland - Special Emergency Response Team
* flag|South Australia - Special Tasks and Rescue Group
* flag|Tasmania - Special Operations Group
* flag|Victoria - Special Operations Group
* flag|Western Australia - Tactical Response Group
* "flagicon|New ZealandArmed Offenders Squad" (AOS), New Zealand
* "flagicon|New ZealandSpecial Tactics Group" (AOS), New Zealand
* "Tactical Assault Group
* "National Anti Terrorism Exercise
* "SWAT
* "Counter-terrorism