Beijing Special Weapons and Tactics Unit

Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Counter-Terrorism and Special Police Unit referred to as Beijing SWAT, is a police tactical unit in the People's Republic of China part of the People's Police that deals with incidents beyond the capabilities of normal patrol officers such as hostage situations, high risk warrants and riot control. The unit, along with the Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU), was tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is reputed to be one of the most well-equipped and well-trained of all the tactical units of public security agencies in the PRC. Jurisdictionally the unit is under the control of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

History
The Beijing SWAT unit and Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU) were unveiled in a demonstration at the Beijing Police Academy on April 27, 2006, as part of a public relations effort to illustrate the capabilities of the Beijing Police to deal with terrorism issues, protection of delegates, and to enforce law and order in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The unit has in recent years received training and advice from Western counter-terrorism units. In June 2008, the unit's 120-operator No. 1 Detachment was renamed Blue Sword (蓝剑, "Lán jiàn") Commando Unit.

Role
Typically expected of a police tactical unit from any country will be the role of a tactical response team to handle hostage-rescue, high-risk warrants, VIP or dangerous criminal escort duties and sometimes counter-terrorism and anti-riot duties.

Organization
The Beijing SWAT Unit is divided into sub-units consisting of but not limited to: a aviation unit (航空队), an underwater diving unit (潜水队), female SWAT unit (女子特警队) and a K9 unit (警犬队).

Training
Recruits are selected from six colleges, including the Beijing Sports University and Chinese People's Public Security University. Beijing SWAT members are trained, aside from combat tactics, in many subjects including English, etiquette, cultural dynamics, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and anti-riot and anti-nuclear and biological warfare tactics. All SWAT operatives undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Weapons and equipment
The unit is armed with a variety of domestically manufactured weapons such as QBZ-95 assault rifles and QSZ-92 pistols.

Vehicles

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the local government allocated CNY 280 million for the Beijing SWAT to procure equipment for operations, some of which went into purchasing specialized vehicles for various duties including the Hummer H2 and APC's.