Police Tactical Unit (Hong Kong)

Police Tactical Unit (PTU)
Fully-armoured Police Tactical Unit troopers engaged in riot control during the 2005 WTO meeting protests in Hong Kong.
Active	1958-Present
Country	Hong Kong
Branch	Hong Kong Police Force
Type	Paramilitary riot control
Role	Internal security Crowd control Anti-crime operations Disaster response Riot control
Size	~ 2,000 Regulars ~ 1,000 echelon
Part of	Operations Wing
Garrison/HQ	1 Wu Tip Shan Road, Fanling
Nickname(s)	Blue Berets
Motto(s)	"Failing to plan is planning to fail."
Colours	Olive green
Anniversaries	2008

The Police Tactical Unit (Abbreviation: PTU; Chinese: 警察機動部隊) is a paramilitary riot control unit of the Hong Kong Police Force. The Police Tactical Unit provides an immediate manpower reserve for use in any emergency, 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 Police Tactical Unit is often referred as the 'Blue Berets', which is in reference to the blue berets worn as part of the uniform.

A subdivision of the PTU is the Special Duties Unit which specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.

The Police Tactical Unit Base and training camp is located in Fanling.

This Unit 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.

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 ambulances.