An unwavering commitment to public safety – how the STAR Unit has sharpened its tactical excellence over three decades!
By: SOC and Christabelle Lim
The Early Days
Before the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) Unit was formed in 1993, it had its roots in a group known as the Police Tactical Team, which was established in March 1978. These officers had prior experience from their postings in the Police Task Force (the predecessor of the Police Tactical Unit in the Special Operations Command) and handled situations involving armed criminals.
The Stars Align
The need for a dedicated unit to take on specialised assignments arose following high-profile incidents such as the hijackings of the Laju ferry in 1974 and SQ117 in 1991. This led to the pioneer batch of STAR operators being trained up in 1993.
These officers were tasked to handle complex situations involving hostage rescue, armed assailants and other types of high-risk scenarios. Led by former Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee, the STAR Unit was officially commissioned on 9 November 1993 by then Minister for Home Affairs, Mr S Jayakumar.
The STAR Unit’s mission is to provide the Singapore Police Force (SPF) with the highest level of tactical armed response. The unit’s logo features a sword with wings and a star. The sword represents valour and justice; the wings represent dedication to swiftness, liberation and continuous improvement; and the star represents excellence.
Land and Sea Capabilities
The STAR Unit is capable of handling both land and maritime operations, having operationalised its Maritime Assault capabilities in 2005 and its Tactical K-9 capability in 2015. Officers are trained to take on four key specialised roles: Assaulter, Assault Diver, Sniper and Tactical K-9.
Over the years, the STAR Unit has been involved in various operations, including hostage rescues, the arrest of dangerous suspects and responding to security threats.
Through their specialised skills, STAR operators have successfully accomplished their mission of keeping Singapore safe.
To enhance its operational effectiveness, the STAR Unit also leverages a range of modern weaponry and technology. Combined with the Unit’s other capabilities, new tech tools such as drones and other devices can increase the speed, range of options and safety of officers.
Recruitment and Selection
Needless to say, STAR operators undergo a tough selection process. They need to be physically strong, mentally resilient and able to cope with a range of dynamic situations proficiently. Since 2014, the STAR Unit has also conducted direct recruitment from the public to widen its talent pool. Potential candidates must pass the selection course before undergoing the main training course.
STAR operators undergo rigorous training to refine their skills and stay prepared for contingency incidents. They also collaborate with other Home Team agencies to benchmark capabilities and gain operational insights.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the STAR Unit remains committed to its mission, ready to transform and adapt to effectively neutralise public security threats.
Embodying its motto of “Vigilance, Valour, Victory,” the STAR Unit will continue to forge ahead with gallantry and excellence!
Read on to find out about the Crisis Negotiation Unit, the UN Peacekeeping Force, the Special Women Task Team, and the K-9 Unit of the SOC!
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