Military Wiki
Special Operations Group
Active 1977[1] - Present
Country Australia Australia
Branch Victorian Police
Role Law Enforcement
Counter-Terrorism
Hostage rescue
Part of Victoria Police Specialist Support
Nickname(s) Sons of God,[1] "soggies"
Motto(s) "Blessed are the peacemakers"
Engagements Port Arthur massacre, Purana Task Force gangland arrests
Commanders
Current
commander
Inspector Mark Doney[2]
Notable
commanders
Inspector John Noonan, Mick Miller

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is the police tactical group of the Victoria Police.

History[]

The Special Operations Group was formed in October 1977.[3] Its main function was to provide a response to politically motivated and criminal terrorist activity. Today, this remains the number one priority for the Special Operations Group. The SOG is the Victoria Police equivalent of a full-time tactical (SWAT) team. Victorian SOG officers assisted the Tasmanian Special Operations Group during the infamous Port Arthur massacre in 1996.[4] SOG are currently equipped with an armoured vehicle known as the 'Armet Balkan Mk7 tactical response vehicle' for responding to potential terrorist threats or armed sieges.[5] SOG took delivery of this vehicle in 2009 to replace their previous ageing armoured Land Rover.[6][7] The previous armoured Land Rover was initially acquired in 1995[7] and is still in use with the critical incident response teams.

In April 2013 SOG took delivery of a Lenco BearCat armoured rescue vehicle provided by the Federal Government bringing Victoria in-line with other States and Territories who already have Bearcats.[8]

Mission[]

The SOG is tasked to attend to critical incidents such as sieges, hostage situations, Counter Terrorism and bomb response operations.They also assist operational police in planned operations involving apprehension of dangerous suspects.[9]

Principal roles[]

  • Protecting endangered witnesses
  • Hostage Rescue operations
  • Providing a negotiation service in high risk operations
  • Undertaking searches of premises in high risk operations
  • The arrest of armed and dangerous offenders
  • Escorting and securing dangerous prisoners
  • Providing support services for major operations
  • Escorting and protecting VIPs and other at risk or important persons
  • CBRNE/EOD operations
  • Maritime interdictions
  • VBSS

The SOG also provides specialist assistance in performing tasks which are beyond the scope of operational police. Some of these tasks may require specialist equipment or expertise in certain areas. An example of such assistance can be seen recently with the SOGs attendance to assist detectives at a shooting involving Macchour Chaouk.[10]

Equipment[]

The SOG use a variety of specialised weapons and equipment including the SIG MCX and M4 Close Quarters Battle Receiver[11].[12][13] Heckler & Koch USP sidearm also chambered in .45 S&W calibre.[14]

Unofficial name[]

SOG have several unofficial nicknames within the police including "Soggies" and "Sons of God",

International units[]

Related articles[]

References[]

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Victoria Police Special Operations Group and the edit history here.