Special Tactics and Rescue (Singapore)

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Coordinates: 1°17′42.41″N 103°48′01.76″E / 1.2951139°N 103.8004889°E / 1.2951139; 103.8004889

Special Tactics and Rescue
STAR insignia.png
ActiveMarch 1978 – 9 November 1993 (PTT)
9 November 1993 – present (STAR)
Country Singapore
BranchSingapore Police Force
TypePolice tactical unit
RoleLaw enforcement
Hostage rescue
Counter-terrorism
Homeland security
Direct action
Special operations
Part ofSpecial Operations Command
Garrison/HQQueensway Base
Motto(s)Vigilance, Valour, Victory

The Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) is a tactical unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that is officially tasked to provide a tactical armed-response capability, and specialises in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.

History[]

STAR started off in March of 1978 as a part-time outfit called the Police Tactical Team (PTT), and was mainly used to contain civil disorder. During the early days, the Police Tactical Team was a motley crew of volunteer officers from the Police Task Force (PTF), who served even on their days off for a monthly allowance of $50.[citation needed]

The PTT, although drawing expertise from the PTF, were still limited in their operational readiness, skills and capability. The hijacking of Singapore Airlines Flight 117 and subsequent successful recovery by the commandos from Singapore Armed Forces' Special Operations Force in 1991 highlighted the need to provide the Singapore Police Force with a dedicated armed response team.[1] With expertise assistance of Hong Kong Police Force's Special Duties Unit, the United Kingdom's SAS, Germany’s GSG 9, France’s GIGN, and America’s Delta Force, the PTT was re-formed into STAR under Special Operations Command and commissioned on 9 November 1993.[citation needed]

After the events of 11 September, the unit was also planned to undertake counter-terrorism duties. In 2005, STAR acquired a new maritime assault capability to augment the Police Coast Guard and the Republic of Singapore Navy in dealing with maritime threats.[2]

Known operations[]

On 8 May 1998, STAR apprehended Anthony Tan Cheng Lock, a drug addict who had earlier shot a police officer in the thigh and stole his service revolver at a housing estate in Woodlands the previous night, after violently resisting arrest. Tan committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with the stolen revolver after STAR troopers breached into the flat. Tan had been admitted into the drug rehabilitation centre five times for drug consumption from 1982 to 1993, and was wanted by Central Narcotics Bureau for skipping mandatory reporting dates under drug supervision order prior to his death.[3][4]

In 2007, STAR was involved in the arrest of Dave Teo Ming, a National Serviceman who was AWOL and armed with a rifle and live ammunition,[5] at the Orchard Cineleisure Mall without firing a shot.[6]

In 2016, STAR responded to two separate hostage situations in the flats of Ang Mo Kio and Sembawang, in which both events involved in stand-offs for more than ten hours.[7][8]

In May 2018, STAR was involved in a covert operation to swiftly apprehend two Taiwanese weapons smugglers who were part of an organised crime syndicate that were busted in Taiwan, but had escaped to Singapore.[9][10]

Selection and training[]

Application to join the STAR unit is open to both public and police officers through the open recruitment exercise every year around October to December.[11]

To get the best people for the job, the unit holds an intensive and rigorous selection process. During this process, candidates have to undergo a full-day screening to evaluate both their physical and mental capabilities. After which, they are put through psychological assessments and an interview is conducted by an interview panel. Successful applicants will be notified to undergo a final medical review before starting their intensive eight-month training and orientation.[12]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Chan, Francis (24 March 2013). "The policeman's policeman: Policing is the only job top cop Ng Joo Hee has held and he relishes the challenges". ProQuest. The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  2. ^ Police Coast Guard/Special Operations Command (2 February 2005). "Speech By A/P Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, at Commissioning Ceremony of the STAR Unit Maritime Assault Capability, 2 February 2005, 10.00 AM at Police Coast Guard, Pulau Brani Base". Archived from the original on 13 April 2009.
  3. ^ "Crimewatch 1999". meWATCH. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  4. ^ Tan, Judith; Sen, Ng Jun (21 June 2015). "Man grabs gun, shoots police officer at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital". The New Paper. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  5. ^ Muhamad Khair (8 December 2017). "Five Things You Should Know About the SOC". mha.gov.sg.
  6. ^ The Strait Times. 9 September 2007.
  7. ^ "The Straits Times". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Today Online". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Taiwan News". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  10. ^ "YouTube". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Mothership". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Singapore Police Force". Retrieved 9 February 2020.

External links[]

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