# Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)

The Police Tactical Unit (PTU; Chinese: 警察機動部隊) is a unit within the Hong Kong Police Force which provides an immediate manpower reserve for use in large-scale emergencies.

## Duties

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 PTU is also the parent organization of the Special Duties Unit (SDU), which specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, and the Special Tactical Contingent (STC), which specializes in riot control drawing members from other units including the PTU Headquarters and SDU for temporary ad hoc tasks.
The PTU base and training camp is located in Fanling.

## History

The PTU was established in 1958, known then as the Police Tactical Contingent (PTC). The PTC's name changed to the PTU in 1968.
In 1969, the PTU was allowed to wear the beret as their standard headgear, which lead to the unit being known locally as the "Blue Berets".
According to a list of Refurbishment of Government Building projects released online by the Architectural Services Department, the PTU HQ's gymnasium, toilets and store room at Block M is proposed to be renovated for HK$5 to 10 million.

## Duties

The PTU is responsible for training HKPF officers stationed within the Emergency Unit.

## Organization

The PTU 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.
The unit consists of the Training Division, Support Division, Research and Development Division, Emergency Unit, Special Tactical Contingent and the Special Duties Unit.
* Police Tactical Unit officers stop to check a suspect.
* PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
* PTU officers stand guard behind a barricade.
* PTU officers on duty during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
* PTU officers cross a street toward police vans.
* PTU operating at an intersection during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
* PTU operating during Aug 2007 metalworkers' protests.
* PTU officers deploying roadblock at Admiralty

## Vehicles
### Current

* Toyota Coaster
* Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa
* Mercedes-Benz Atego
* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
* Ford F550; made in China and named Sabertooth

### Former

* Isuzu NPR
* Bedford TJ
* Toyota Dyna
* Saxon (vehicle)
* Alvis Saracen
* Mercedes-Benz Vario
* Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000

## Equipment
### Personal gear

* Baton
* Pepper spray
* S10 respirator
* Green Load Bearing Vest
* 5.11 Tactical Load Bearing Vest

### Firearms

| Name | Country of origin | Type | Notes |
| Smith & Wesson Model 10 | United States | Revolver | Standard issue |
| Remington 870 | United States | Shotgun | Standard issue |
| Colt AR-15 | United States | Semi-automatic rifle | Standard issue |
| Federal Model 201-Z Riot Gun | United States | Less lethal option | Standard issue |
| Penn Arms GL-1 Compact | United States | Less lethal option | Revealed in 2019 |
| Pepperball | United States | Less lethal option | VKS, FTC/Tippmann 98 and TCP variants in use |
| Byrna HD | South Africa | Less lethal option | Pepper projectile pistol |
| Piexon JPX4 | Switzerland | Less lethal option | Pepper projectile pistol |
| QBZ-191 | China | Assault rifle | Ceremonial use only |

## In popular culture

* Tactical Unit (film series)
* On the First Beat