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| Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Tactical Response Group |
| Abbreviation | TRG |
| Formed | 1993 |
| Country | Australia |
| Subdivision type | State |
| Subdivision name | Western Australia |
| Sizearea | 2,646,064 km2 |
| Sizepopulation | 2.6 million |
| Legaljuris | Western Australia Police Force |
| Governing body | Government of Western Australia |
| Headquarters | Perth |
| Chief1name | Commissioner of Police |
| Chief1position | Western Australia Police Force |
| Unit type | Police tactical unit |
Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group
The Tactical Response Group is a specialist police tactical unit within the Western Australia Police Force established to provide high-risk tactical response, contingency planning and public order capabilities across Western Australia. It operates alongside other specialist units and national partners to respond to sieges, counter-terrorism incidents, major public order events and high-risk warrants. The unit's remit spans metropolitan and regional deployments, supporting agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, Australian Defence Force, and state emergency services.
The unit traces lineage to specialist response elements created during the late 20th century as Australian jurisdictions reformed policing after incidents such as the Sydney Hilton bombing and international shifts following the 1972 Munich massacre. Formalised in the 1990s, the Tactical Response Group built on precedents set by units like the New South Wales Tactical Operations Unit and the Victoria Police Special Operations Group. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s it adapted to emerging threats shaped by events such as the 2002 Bali bombings and the rise of homegrown violent extremism in Australia, aligning doctrine with national frameworks including the Australian Counter-Terrorism Plan and cooperation with the National Anti-Terrorism Committee.
The unit provides tactical resolution of high-risk situations including hostage sieges, armed offenders, and complex search warrants, working with entities such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation when necessary. It delivers public order management for major events like Swan River regattas, sporting fixtures at Optus Stadium, and protests referenced in state legislation including the Public Order Act (Western Australia). The group supports search and rescue coordination in remote incidents alongside the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and regional police districts such as the Pilbara and Kimberley. It also contributes to national capability through mutual aid arrangements with the Australian Police Counter-Terrorism Committee and multi-jurisdictional task forces.
Structured within the specialist response portfolio of the Western Australia Police Force, the Tactical Response Group is organised into teams focused on tactical operations, negotiation, reconnaissance and canine support, interfacing with units such as the Dog Operations Unit (Western Australia Police), Marine Operations Unit, and Police Air Wing. Command lines report to the Assistant Commissioner responsible for specialist capabilities and coordinate with state crisis management bodies like the State Emergency Management Committee (Western Australia). Regional detachments provide reach into population centres including Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Broome while metropolitan elements operate from central bases.
Selection follows rigorous assessment similar to processes used by the Australian Defence Force Special Air Service Regiment and interstate tactical units such as the Queensland Police Special Emergency Response Team. Candidates undergo physical conditioning, marksmanship, close-quarters battle, tactical medicine and negotiation instruction delivered in cooperation with institutions like the Australian Institute of Police Management and universities providing forensic and psychological support. Joint training exercises are routinely conducted with the Australian Federal Police, New Zealand Police Armed Offenders Squad, and military units including the Royal Australian Regiment to rehearse counter-terrorism, major incident and complex urban operations.
The group is equipped with specialised small arms, less-lethal options, ballistic protection, breaching tools, armoured vehicles and surveillance systems procured under state procurement frameworks connected to the Department of Communities (Western Australia) and defence suppliers. Capabilities include sniper teams, negotiating teams, explosive ordnance procedures and maritime assault supported by the Police Marine Unit and aviation assets from the Police Air Wing. Communications and command systems integrate with state emergency communications networks and national systems used by the Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System.
The Tactical Response Group has been deployed to high-profile incidents including armed sieges, major public order events at venues such as Perth Arena and Domain Stadium, and coordinated responses to incidents requiring cross-agency cooperation like natural disaster relief in the Gascoyne Floods and remote search operations in the Kimberley. It has participated in national counter-terrorism exercises alongside the Australian Defence Force and contributed to operations following significant incidents that influenced Australian policing practice, comparable in public profile to interstate responses such as those by the Victoria Police Special Operations Group during notable sieges.
Oversight of the unit operates through internal professional standards, parliamentary scrutiny by the Parliament of Western Australia and external review mechanisms including the Corruption and Crime Commission (Western Australia). Operations are governed by legislation such as the Police Act 1892 (Western Australia), state emergency powers and national policy instruments coordinated by bodies like the Council of Australian Governments and the Attorney-General's Department (Australia). Community accountability is reinforced through reporting requirements, coronial processes under the Coroners Act 1996 (Western Australia), and engagement with civic institutions including local councils and Indigenous traditional owner groups.
Category:Police tactical units in Australia Category:Western Australia Police Force