Counter Terrorism Response Unit

{{Short description|Hong Kong police tactical unit}} {{Expand Chinese|topic=gov|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox law enforcement unit | unit_name = Counter Terrorism Response Unit | native_name = {{native name|zh|反恐特勤隊}} | native_namea =  | native_namer =  | image = CTRU Pegasus gray and black patch.jpg | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = Current CTRU patch | dates = July 2009 – present | country = {{Tree list}} * {{flag|Hong Kong}} ** [[China]] {{Tree list/end}} | agency = [[Hong Kong Police Force]] | type = [[Police tactical unit]] | role = {{plainlist}} * [[Counter-terrorism]] * [[Law enforcement]] {{endplainlist}} | ops_juris = | command_structure = Counter Terrorism and Major Incidents Bureau<ref>{{cite web |title='A' Department (Operations) : Operations Wing |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/01_about_us/os_os.html |website=[[Hong Kong Police Force]] |access-date=19 October 2025 |date=October 2025}}</ref> | headquarters_label = | headquarters = | coordinates = | motto = 關懷與勇毅 | motto_translated = Cares and Dares<ref>{{cite journal |title=CTRU selection |journal=OffBeat: The Newspaper of the Hong Kong Police Force |volume=17 March 2010 to 30 March 2010 |issue=915 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/915/eng/n26.htm |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> | common_name = | abbreviation = CTRU  | sworn_type_label = Officers | sworn = 141 {{small|(2011)}} <ref name="PoliceReview2011"/> | unsworn_type_label = | unsworn = | subunit_type_label = | subunits = | station_type_label = | stations =  | current_commander = | notable_commanders =  | programs =  | significant_operations = | anniversaries = | awards =  | vehicles = | boats = | aircraft = | animals =  | website =  }}

The '''Counter Terrorism Response Unit''' ('''CTRU''') (Simplified Chinese: '''反恐特勤队'''; Traditional Chinese: '''反恐特勤隊''') is a police tactical unit of the [[Hong Kong Police Force]] (HKPF). It was the first police unit in Asia dedicated to counterterrorism and hostage rescue patrols.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Hong Kong Police Force |title=反恐特勤隊職能講座 |journal=少年警訊月刊 |date=May 2013 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/jpc/413/jc08.html |access-date=1 April 2023 |language=Chinese |trans-title=Seminar on the Functions of Anti-Terrorism Special Forces}}</ref>

==History== The CTRU was established in July 2009 with support from the HKSAR government.<ref>https://www.brookings.edu/articles/standing-up-to-modern-terrorism-how-the-hong-kong-police-force-strives-to-keep-hong-kong-one-of-the-worlds-safest-cities/</ref> In December 2010, the CTRU was deployed on its first operation to protect the East Asian Games with the SDU and VIP Protection Unit.<ref>https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2009/140884.htm</ref>

In June 2022, the police force publicly unveiled a grey-blue uniform for the CTRU.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police unveil new uniform for counter-terrorism units |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1654827-20220627.htm |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=RTHK |date=27 June 2022}}</ref>

In May 2024, the HKPF announced that the Railway Response Team (RRT) would be absorbed into the CTRU.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ma |first1=Jess |title=Hong Kong police railway unit in line for revamp as growing MTR network prompts strategy rethink |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3261928/hong-kong-police-railway-district-line-revamp-growing-mtr-network-forces-strategy-rethink |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240510101854/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3261928/hong-kong-police-railway-district-line-revamp-growing-mtr-network-forces-strategy-rethink |archive-date=10 May 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The RRT had been established in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|author=Police Public Relations Branch |title=Railway Response Team established |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/1126/eng/7476.html |access-date=19 October 2025|work=Offbeat – the electronic newspaper of the Royal Hong Kong Police |issue=1126: 27 December 2018 to 15 January 2019 |publisher=[[Hong Kong Police Force]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Leung |first1=Christy |title=Crack squad of heavily armed anti-terror policemen to cover Hong Kong’s rail network from Sunday |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2179141/crack-squad-heavily-armed-anti-terror-policemen-cover |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210504053944/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2179141/crack-squad-heavily-armed-anti-terror-policemen-cover |archive-date=4 May 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Duties == [[File:反恐特勤隊03.png|thumb|right|350px|CTRU operators arrest a suspect during a public event in 2021.]]

The jurisdiction of the CTRU covers the whole of HKSAR, except for the [[Hong Kong International Airport]] which is under the protection of [[Airport Security Unit (Hong Kong)|Airport Security Unit]]. The CTRU executes tasks by the counterterrorism strategies, which is 'Defense, protection, guard, investigation and restoration', of the Police Force and assists the [[Special Duties Unit|SDU]] if necessary.

The CTRU is responsible for the security of government buildings, [[Hong Kong Liaison Office|LOCPG]], [[Diplomatic mission]]s, infrastructures, ports, railways, gathering places (including [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]]) and any structures with potential terrorist threats.<ref>{{cite news |title=探索警方另一絕密部隊「反恐特勤組」現身 |url=http://news.stheadline.com/dailynews/content_hk/2011/08/26/159300.asp |work=Sing Tao Headlines |date=26 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228193847/http://news.stheadline.com/dailynews/content_hk/2011/08/26/159300.asp |archive-date=28 December 2013 |language=Chinese |trans-title=Another top-secret unit of the Exploration Force, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, appeared|url-status=dead}}</ref> The unit is tasked "to handle bomb threats, escort explosives or CBRN materials".<ref>{{cite journal |title=CTRU - Force's latest CT initiative |journal=OffBeat: The Newspaper of the Hong Kong Police Force |volume=23 December 2009 to 12 January 2010 |issue=910 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat/910/eng/n06.htm |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=警方反恐隊增兵港恐襲升級？ |journal=East Week |date=1 July 2010 |issue=第357期 Book A 【城中人．城中事 |url=https://eastweek.my-magazine.me/main/7341 |access-date=1 April 2023 |trans-title=Police anti-terrorist team increases troops, terrorist attacks in Hong Kong escalate? |location=Chinese}}</ref>

== Organization == The CTRU's structure is reportedly based on the NYPD's Hercules Team.<ref>https://archive.today/20141021015242/http://www.scmp.com/article/696423/new-anti-terror-unit-patrol-city</ref>

* CTRU Headquarters: receiving direct orders from the Counter-terrorism Department. ** Operation: At the beginning of CTRU's establishment, the number of the force is projected to reach 141 (reached in 2012)<ref>{{cite news |title=確保「零」恐襲反恐隊隨時出擊 |url=http://news.singtao.ca/toronto/2012-03-19/hongkong1332146496d3761025.html |work=Sing Tao Daily |date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225022952/http://news.singtao.ca/toronto/2012-03-19/hongkong1332146496d3761025.html |archive-date=25 December 2013 |language=Chinese|trans-title=Ensure zero terrorist attacks, counter-terrorism teams are ready to strike|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="PoliceReview2011">{{cite web |title=Operations - Hong Kong Police Review 2011 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/en/pdf/12-27_Operation.pdf |website=Hong Kong Police Force |access-date=1 April 2023 |page=21}}</ref> *** Action Squad ('''C'''ougar) *** Action Squad ('''T'''rooper) *** Action Squad ('''R'''anger) *** Action Squad ('''U'''nicorn)<ref>{{cite news |title=獨角獸作隊徽吉祥物 |url=http://life.mingpao.com/cfm/dailynews3b.cfm?File=20091223/nalgc/gcb2.txt |work=Ming Pao |date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228135939/http://life.mingpao.com/cfm/dailynews3b.cfm?File=20091223/nalgc/gcb2.txt |archive-date=28 December 2013|language=Chinese|trans-title=Unicorn as the team emblem mascot|url-status=dead}}</ref> ** Training and development

===Training=== Prospective CTRU recruits must attend 10 weeks of intensive training courses.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2014 |title=反恐特勤隊有幾巴閉？ |trans-title=How Many Counter-Terrorism Task Forces are there? |url=https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%B7%B4%E9%96%89-215834443.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122061334/https://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%B7%B4%E9%96%89-215834443.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |work=Sing Tao Daily |language=Chinese}}</ref>

== Equipment ==

=== Personal equipment === *[[Combat helmet]] ** Team Wendy Exfil LTP Ballistic ** Garanti Kompozit Ballistic Protective Helmet (ACH HIGH-CUT MODEL) ** Ops-Core FAST XP High Cut (For former RRT members) * [[Noise-cancelling headphones]] ** 3M Peltor Tactical 6 Headset ** [[Safariland]] LIBERATOR IV Headset ** Ops-Core AMP Headset ** EARMOUR M31 Series Headset (For former RRT members) * [[Gas mask]] ** Avon S10 ** Avon fm54 * Tactical vest ** ESKI custom made Plate Carrier ** C2R-MOR Ultralite Plate Carrier ** Ops Rapid Responder Armor Plate Carrier (For former RRT members) * Danner 15404, LOWA * [[Ballistic shield]] ** BAKER BALLISTIC custom-made Ballistic Shield ** ATFY custom made Ballistic Shield * [[Axe]] * [[Mark 3 Knife]]

=== Communication equipment === * [[Motorola]] MTP850Ex * Survival lamps * NV goggles * Thermal scopes

=== Rescue equipment === * Tactical Axe<ref name="PoliceReview2011-2">{{cite web |title=Professional Equipment - Hong Kong Police Review 2011 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/chs/pdf/SC_54-55_equipment.pdf |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Hong Kong Police Force}}</ref> * Ladder

=== Medical equipment === * [[First aid]] * Powerheart AED G3 * [[Pulse oximetry|Pulse oximeter]]

=== Weapons === {| class="wikitable" border="0" width="100%" ! width="25%" |Name ! width="25%" |Country of origin ! width="25%" |Type !Notes !References |- |[[Glock 17]] | rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Austria}} | rowspan="2" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]] |Standard issue |<ref name="PoliceReview2011-22">{{cite web |title=Professional Equipment - Hong Kong Police Review 2011 |url=https://www.police.gov.hk/info/review/2011/chs/pdf/SC_54-55_equipment.pdf |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Hong Kong Police Force}}</ref> |- |[[Glock|Glock 19]] |Used by female members and during plainclothes duties | |- |[[Heckler & Koch MP5]] |{{Flag|Germany}} | rowspan="3" |[[Submachine gun]] |Standard issue | |- |[[SIG MPX]] | {{Flag|United States}} |Inherited from the now merged Railway Response Team |- |[[CS/LS7]] | {{Flag|PRC}} |Issued since 2026 |<ref>[https://www.passiontimes.hk/article/04-19-2026/141943]</ref> |- |[[SIG 516]] | {{flag|United States}} |[[Assault rifle]] |Issued since 2017 |<ref>{{cite news |author1=魯嘉裕洪琦琦 |date=28 February 2017 |title=【 CTRU出擊・有片・多圖】模擬恐襲發生反恐特勤隊新槍截擊槍手 |trans-title=[CTRU Sorties, Films, Multiple Pictures] Simulate a terrorist attack Counter-Terrorism Special Force's new gun interceptor |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9C%83%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E/74900/ctru%E5%87%BA%E6%93%8A-%E6%9C%89%E7%89%87-%E5%A4%9A%E5%9C%96-%E6%A8%A1%E6%93%AC%E6%81%90%E8%A5%B2%E7%99%BC%E7%94%9F-%E5%8F%8D%E6%81%90%E7%89%B9%E5%8B%A4%E9%9A%8A%E6%96%B0%E6%A7%8D%E6%88%AA%E6%93%8A%E6%A7%8D%E6%89%8B |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=[[HK01]] |language=Chinese}}</ref> |}

=== Vehicle === *[[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] 518CDI *[[Toyota HiAce]] *[[Toyota Land Cruiser]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Commons category-inline}}

[[Category:Hong Kong Police Force units]] [[Category:Police tactical units]] [[Category:2009 establishments in Hong Kong]]