Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)
| Police Tactical Unit (PTU) | |
|---|---|
|
Fully armoured Police Tactical Unit in Riot control during the WTO 2005 meeting protests. | |
| Active | 1958-Present |
| Country |
 Hong Kong |
| Branch |
 Hong Kong Police Force |
| Type | Paramilitary riot control |
| Role |
Internal security Crowd control Anti-crime operations Disaster response Riot control |
| Size |
~ 2,000 Regulars ~ 1,000 echelon |
| Part of | Operations Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | 1 Wu Tip Shan Road, Fanling |
| Nickname(s) | Blue Berets |
| Motto(s) | "Failing to plan is planning to fail." |
| Colours | Olive green |
| Anniversaries | 2008 |
The Police Tactical Unit (Abbreviation: PTU; Chinese: 警察機動部隊) is a paramilitary riot control unit of the Hong Kong Police Force. The Police Tactical Unit provides an immediate manpower reserve for use in any emergency, Unit companies are attached to all land Regions and are available for internal security, crowd control, anti-crime operations, disaster response and riot control throughout Hong Kong. The Police Tactical Unit is often referred as the 'Blue Berets', which is in reference to the blue berets worn as part of the uniform.
A subdivision of the PTU is the Special Duties Unit which specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.
Organisation
The Police Tactical Unit Base and training camp is located in Fanling.
This Unit is made up of eleven Companies, comprising in total about 2,000 officers. Each company (under the command of a Superintendent) is made up of 4 platoons, each led by an Inspector or Senior Inspector. A platoon comprises 32 Officers with 1 Station Sergeant (senior NCO) and 8 Sergeants.
Police Tactical Unit officers stop to check a suspect._-_2007-08-14_15h36m30s_DSC07119.JPG)
PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
PTU officers stand guard behind a barricade._-_2007-08-14_15h35m22s_DSC07115.JPG)
PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests._-_2007-08-14_15h52m40s_DSC07141.JPG)
PTU officers cross a street toward ambulances._-_2007-08-13_14h49m30s_DSC02159.JPG)
PTU operating at an intersection during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests._-_2007-08-13_14h50m42s_Panorama_2.JPG)
PTU operating during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
PTU in riot control during the opposition to the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
Firearms
- Smith & Wesson Model 10: Standard-issue sidearm, 6-shot .38 Special revolver.
- Remington 870: Standard-issue shotgun, loaded with less-than-lethal 12-gauge bean-bag rounds.
- Federal Model 201-Z Riot Gun: Standard-issue anti-riot gun, loaded with less-than-lethal CS rounds.
- AR-15: Standard-issue rifle, loaded with 5.56×45mm rounds, only to be issued as a final resort when the situation encountered is uncontrollable or the target is far away from the PTU (400m or less).
Vehicles
In popular culture
- The unit is portrayed in the 2003 film PTU, directed by Johnnie To.
- 2007 TVB series On The First Beat
- The unit is also portrayed in the 2009 film series Tactical Unit, directed by Johnnie To and with the same leading actors and actress of the 2003 film PTU.
- The PTU also appear briefly in The Sniper 2009.