The VIP Protection Unit (
Abbreviation: VIPPU; ), otherwise known as G4 (originally Section G, Division 4) is a branch of the
Hong Kong Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is the primary law enforcement, investigative agency, and largest disciplined service under the Security Bureau of Hong Kong. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force (RHKPF) reverted to its former name after the t ...
.
Introduction
The original name had been given to the unit since it is the 4th division of the former
Royal Hong Kong Police Force's Special Branch.
Following the disbanding of the RHKP Special Branch in 1995, the VIP Unit was reassigned under the Security Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force after the handover in 1997.
Training
It has primary responsibility for the personal safety of HKSAR Chief Executive and his/her core family (it was Governor and his family before the Handover in 1997), high-rank government officials,
VIPs
A very important person or personage (VIP or V.I.P.) is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence or importance. The term was not common until sometime after World War 2 by RAF pilots.
Examples in ...
and visiting dignitaries to
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
, therefore the training techniques taught to all VIPPU officers include VIP protection and unarmed combat.
In addition they also undergo training in firearms, crowd control, self-defense, tactical driving, physical and tactical training, Basic Trauma Life Support and English and Putonghua fluency.
They also practice simulation exercises with the PTU and the SDU.
Vehicles
*Luxury bullet-proofed
armoured cars are often deployed in protective missions.
Weapons
The standard issue sidearms for all VIPPU is the
Glock 17
Glock is a brand of polymer- framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H. The firearm entered Austrian military and police service by 1982 after it was the ...
and the
Glock 19
Glock is a brand of polymer- framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H. The firearm entered Austrian military and police service by 1982 after it was the ...
for females or officers with smaller hands while the short version of the
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 (german: Maschinenpistole 5) is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. There are over 100 variants and clones of the MP ...
is the standard SMG and could be deployed in multiple variants, such as the K, K-PDW and Coffer.
Apart from firearms,
ASP expandable batons or a
Taser
A taser is an electroshock weapon used to incapacitate people, allowing them to be approached and handled in an unresisting and thus safe manner. It is sold by Axon (company), Axon, formerly TASER International. It fires two small barbed d ...
are carried for less-than-lethal options to the VIPPU officers.
Flashbangs and
smoke grenade
Smoke grenades used at demonstrations in Paris, 2008
upBritish L83A1 Smoke Grenade manufactured in May 2008. This grenade has already been used.
A smoke grenade is a canister-type grenade used as a signaling device, target or landing zone mark ...
s are also used to provide cover for escorting the VIP when being attacked by intruders.
Known involvement
The VIP Protection Unit are involved in protecting
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
from any kind of disturbances, including demonstrations in the
2008 Summer Olympics in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
.
Baptism of fire.
Retrieved on 28 August 2008.
References
{{reflist
1972 establishments in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Police Force
Protective security units
Organizations established in 1972