TRU (police unit)
Encyclopedia
The Tactics and Rescue Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police
was formed in 1975 as a counter terrorist
unit for the 1976 Summer Olympics
which had venues in Ontario
. This unit was originally trained by the British SAS
and the FBI Hostage
Rescue Unit.
Currently, officers within the OPP wishing to become a member of this unit must have served a minimum of three years with exemplorary service. Then, they may apply and if chosen attend a two day pre-selection screening to undergo a battery of written exams, psychological testing, attend an interview before a board, pass a timed physical fitness test and pass a firearms assessment course of fire.
The fitness test consists of the applicant donning a 50lb (23kg) vest and travelling an overall distance of 3.2km (2 miles). The test must be completed in a time of less than 32 minutes and has six task stations spread out over the course which is basically the perimeter of a basketball
court. The candidate must walk 5 laps at a brisk pace and may run 1 lap for a total of six before doing a task station. These six laps along with the six task stations must be successfully completed for the candidate to continue on.
Should the candidate be successful they then may be invited to attend a nine day selection course, which is considered one of the most difficult non-military
selection courses in the world.
It is only after successfully completing all of the above requirements that the officer then begins their tactical training which is broken down into three levels but totals 14 weeks of training. During this time they will learn camouflage
and concealment, land navigation, K-9
back-up training, Witness and VIP protection, rappel, basic sniper, stealth clearing, hostage rescue. If successful they then may be placed on to one of the "teams" where their physical and tactical training will continue, along with opportunities for more specialized training such as Sniper
, Explosive Disposal and Rappel Master to name a few.
The teams deal with high risk calls in which violence or weapons are known or expected, including but not limited to barricaded persons, K-9 back-up, prisoner escorts (where there is a high risk of escape or violence), high risk warrant execution, witness protection, V.I.P. security and hostage rescue.
Today the OPP TRU team has evolved into one of the top 5 hostage rescue teams in North America.
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
was formed in 1975 as a counter terrorist
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
unit for the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
which had venues in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. This unit was originally trained by the British SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
and the FBI Hostage
Hostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
Rescue Unit.
Currently, officers within the OPP wishing to become a member of this unit must have served a minimum of three years with exemplorary service. Then, they may apply and if chosen attend a two day pre-selection screening to undergo a battery of written exams, psychological testing, attend an interview before a board, pass a timed physical fitness test and pass a firearms assessment course of fire.
The fitness test consists of the applicant donning a 50lb (23kg) vest and travelling an overall distance of 3.2km (2 miles). The test must be completed in a time of less than 32 minutes and has six task stations spread out over the course which is basically the perimeter of a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
court. The candidate must walk 5 laps at a brisk pace and may run 1 lap for a total of six before doing a task station. These six laps along with the six task stations must be successfully completed for the candidate to continue on.
Should the candidate be successful they then may be invited to attend a nine day selection course, which is considered one of the most difficult non-military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
selection courses in the world.
It is only after successfully completing all of the above requirements that the officer then begins their tactical training which is broken down into three levels but totals 14 weeks of training. During this time they will learn camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
and concealment, land navigation, K-9
Police dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
back-up training, Witness and VIP protection, rappel, basic sniper, stealth clearing, hostage rescue. If successful they then may be placed on to one of the "teams" where their physical and tactical training will continue, along with opportunities for more specialized training such as Sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
, Explosive Disposal and Rappel Master to name a few.
The teams deal with high risk calls in which violence or weapons are known or expected, including but not limited to barricaded persons, K-9 back-up, prisoner escorts (where there is a high risk of escape or violence), high risk warrant execution, witness protection, V.I.P. security and hostage rescue.
Today the OPP TRU team has evolved into one of the top 5 hostage rescue teams in North America.