Special Operations.Com

Australian Special Operations Forces

State Protection Group (SPG)

The State Protection Group (SPG) was established to provide the community with a specialised service able to deal with extraordinary situations which present a danger to members of the public and police.

The SPG directly support other police with diffcult and high risk situations such as siege/hostage negotiation, rescue, counter terrorist operations, VIP escort, and securing of dangerous prisoners.

Operations are statewide and on a 24 hour basis with SPG members able to respond swiftly to any situation that arises.

Members of the SPG receive the highest level of training in their particular type of duty, both within Australia and overseas. The standard achieved and level of service offered is amongst the highest in the world.

In 1991, the State Protection Group (SPG) was established as a rationalisation of the Special Weapons and Operations Section (SWOS); the Witness Security Unit; Regional Tactical Response Groups; and the Rescue Squad. The SPG, with the resources and expertise of these groups, plus witness protection and rescue capabilities, gives NSW a flexible, experienced and highly trained team under a central command which can resolve all types of dangerous incidents, including terrorist attacks and sieges.

The SPG is commanded by a Superintendent. There are 108 personnel working for the SPG. The Group is directly responsible for:

• protection of endangered witnesses
• containing or resolving siege/hostage and armed offender situations
• providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations.
• undertaking high risk searches of premises by warrant
• the arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
• escorting and securing dangerous prisoners
• providing support services for major operations
• rescue services
• the escort and security of VlP's

The high risk incidents which require SPG involvement are resolved wherever possible by containment and negotiation rather than by armed force. SPG negotiators are highly trained in crisis negotiation skills to a level considered amongst the highest in the world.