Hostage Response Group
Encyclopedia
The Hostage Response Group (HRG) is the tactical and special operations
unit of the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services.
Across New South Wales Corrective Services facilities have their own Immediate Action Teams (riot
and emergency units), and larger 'on-call' Regional Security Units and the K9 units for major disturbances. Hostage Response Group officers are based across the State at various Corrective Services facilities in order to provide immediate specialist assistance during a crisis. There is also an additional on-call response team available to respond to events across the State on a 24 hour basis.
The roles of the Hostage Response Group are similar to that of the NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit
, that is, to provide specialist tactical support and solutions in high risk operations involving Corrective Services facilities and/or staff. Hostage Response Group officers provide specialist assistance and resources during high risk transfer/transport operations and unplanned events such as hostage and siege situations. Training for these situations is regularly held to world class standardshttp://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au/news/local/news/general/hostage-response/387380.aspx. Major crisis training scenarios are held several times a year at various facilities across the State.
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
unit of the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services.
Across New South Wales Corrective Services facilities have their own Immediate Action Teams (riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
and emergency units), and larger 'on-call' Regional Security Units and the K9 units for major disturbances. Hostage Response Group officers are based across the State at various Corrective Services facilities in order to provide immediate specialist assistance during a crisis. There is also an additional on-call response team available to respond to events across the State on a 24 hour basis.
The roles of the Hostage Response Group are similar to that of the NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit
State Protection Group
The State Protection Group is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police Force, having been established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical,...
, that is, to provide specialist tactical support and solutions in high risk operations involving Corrective Services facilities and/or staff. Hostage Response Group officers provide specialist assistance and resources during high risk transfer/transport operations and unplanned events such as hostage and siege situations. Training for these situations is regularly held to world class standardshttp://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au/news/local/news/general/hostage-response/387380.aspx. Major crisis training scenarios are held several times a year at various facilities across the State.
Organisation
The Hostage Response Group consists of a full-time rapid response componant and smaller part-time units based in various prisons across the State. The units consist of the following sections:- command team,
- negotiators,
- intelligence unit
- tactical response officers
Principal Roles
- Resolving siegeSiegeA siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
and hostage situations http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-43475821.html; - Providing a negotiation service in high risk and critical situations http://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au/news/local/news/general/hostage-response/387380.aspx;
- Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners in high risk situations;
- Undertaking searches of cells in high risk situations;
- Armed escort of high risk offenders in custody;
- Specialist surveillance operations;
See also
- Department of Corrective ServicesDepartment of Corrective ServicesCorrective Services NSW is an agency of the Government of New South Wales that provides custodial and community-based services as an important element of the criminal justice system...
- New South Wales Police Force Police Tactical GroupPolice Tactical GroupPolice tactical groups , formerly known as "police assault groups", are part of the Australian government's National Anti-Terrorism Plan which, since 1978, has required each state and territory police force to maintain a specialised counter-terrorist and hostage rescue unit jointly funded by the...
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