Police Counter Attack Team
Police tactical unit
Unit namePolis Karşı Atak Timleri
Police Counter Attack Teams
CountryTurkey
BranchGeneral Directorate of Security
Dates1970s–present
SpecializationClose protection, counter-terrorism and law enforcement

The Police Counter Attack Teams (Turkish: Polis Karşı Atak Timleri) or simply CAT is one of the special forces unit of the General Directorate of Security. Unlike the Police Special Operations Department (PÖH), the unit specializes in executive protection.

Role

These teams, established in the 1970s, reinforce the other special forces in the event of a major terrorist incident.[1]

The nature of the team was similar to the SWAT teams of North America, but with greater emphasis on counter-terrorism (CT) training and capability, reportedly to include operations involving hijacked aircraft.

Now, the team changes its role to a close protection unit, which is currently assigned to the protection to the Turkish Prime Minister and President.[2]

Involvement in attack on protestors

On May 16, 2017 fifteen members of the Police Counter Attack Teams were involved in an attack on protestors in Washington, DC and charged with assault by the US Department of Justice. The charges were later dropped.

Equipment

ModelOriginTypeReferences
SIG Sauer P226West GermanySemi-automatic pistol[3]
Heckler & Koch MP5Submachine gun[4]
FN P90Belgium[3]
IMI Micro UziIsrael[5]
MKE MPTTurkeyAssault rifle[6]
SIG SG 556Switzerland
Heckler & Koch HK416Germany[7]
M4 carbineUnited States[8]
SIG Sauer SIG516Turkey[9]

References

  1. ^ Janq Designs. "Special Operations.Com". Special Operations.Com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
  2. ^ "Başbakanlık'ta Bir İlk: CAT'ler İşbaşında". Trthaber.com. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
  3. ^ "CAT Timi'ne 100 yeni tabanca". 24 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Counter Attack Ploice man" (JPG). Archived 2023-05-13 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ "Counter Attack Ploice man" (JPG). Archived 2017-03-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ "MKEK, güvenlik güçlerine 7 bin 650 piyade tüfeği sevkiyatı yaptı" (in Turkish). aksam.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  7. ^ "Counter Attack Police ceremony" (JPG). Archived 2017-03-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ "Counter Attack Police man" (JPG). Archived 2017-03-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ "Özel harekâta özel silah | Şanliurfa Haberleri". Urfa1.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-25. Retrieved 2017-06-25.