Reaction Unit (South African Police Service)

The Reaction Unit was a counter-terrorist force within the South African Police (SAP) from 1979 to 2001, in support of the SAP Special Task Force. Elements of the Reaction Unit were attached to Regional Riot Units in locations throughout South Africa, the first of which was in Durban. Its recruits were specially selected and trained in order to maintain a small but high-quality tactical support unit.

Mission
The Reaction Unit was intended to combat urban terrorism, provide specialised support during operations in rural areas, and assist with search and rescue operations anywhere in South Africa.

History
Before 1979 the only police unit who had the capability of addressing high risk operations, including urban terrorism, was the Special Task Force (STF). The STF had only one base at the time, which was situated in Pretoria, and due to its scrupulous and strenuous selection-and-training process for new operators it was faced with an increased workload and limited resources. The force identified the need to expand its capacity throughout the country. In response the Reaction Unit was established in 1979 as a support unit to the STF and was tasked with counter-terrorism Operations. The unit was formed from the regional Riot Units. It was given the name 'Task Force Platoon One' and was situated in Port Natal (Durban). Initially its task was to combat urban terrorism where and when the STF was tasked elsewhere.

Task Force Platoon One was placed under the command of Captain Casper Claase. It began with twenty members, who underwent an eight-week training programme developed by Captain Mike Fryer, the lead training officer of the STF. It was later renamed as the "Reaction Unit" when it expanded to Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Diepkloof Unit 2 (Soweto).

In July 2001 the name of the Reaction Unit was changed to the "Tactical Intervention Group" (TIG). It was changed again at the end of 2004 to the National Intervention Unit (NIU).

Recruitment and training
The Reaction Unit recruited volunteers from the respective Regional Riot Units until the mid 1990s, after which new applicants were also accepted from other parts of the police force. The rigorous selection process and the intense eight-week training programme, presented twice annually, attracted a low volunteer turnout and produced an even lower number of new recruits who successfully completed training. The average success rate was five percent or less. It was not uncommon for the various Reaction Units to grow by as little as one member per year. Restricting the number of members was considered to enhance the team's solidarity, secrecy and security, making the Reaction Unit a popular choice for tactical support during various high-profile police operations.

Commendations
The Reaction Unit No. 9 (Durban) received 23 commendations, which included a Presidential Commendation, awarded to the unit while it was under the command of Captain Pine Pienaar. The number of commendations awarded to the Reaction Unit No. 9 was a significant consideration when the Reaction Units were brought under the National Intervention Unit (NIU).

Badge design
When the Reaction Unit was first formed it had no identifying emblem. Around two years after the unit's formation the commander, Major Dantjie Haupt, decided to task each of the members of the Reaction Unit No. 9 to design and submit a badge. The badge design submitted by Constable Andy Wood was selected and became the identifiable emblem of the unit. The badge contained reference to the unit's station number, which was derived from the station number of the riot unit of the area from which most of its members were recruited.

Badge legend
Forged upon a Shield, bearing in gold, the letters SAP, is another Shield, and blazoned upon in Gold an African Fish Eagle with open claws, below in gold is the number in reference to the Unit Station, and above with an unsigned ribbon, bearing the letters REACTION UNIT Sable; below with an unsigned ribbon, bearing in gold the name of the Unit Station Sable.