Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1532587
In 2000, Police SWAT-type teams were excluded from the structures of the police riot divisions and subordinated directly to regional commanders as SPAP – the independent police counter-terrorist units. The structures of CT units ultimately changed in 2019 when the counterterrorism units were uni- fied on most levels and renamed to SPKP. Since the beginning of its existence, the SPKP Kraków has been closely observing trends in tac- tics, equipment, weapons, as well as ensuring that all officers have the most modern equipment – the constant seeking of tactical and technological innova- tions is written into the unit's DNA. In 2021 SPKP Kraków received a Toyota Hilux 6x6 pickup truck with an assault ramp, with two inde- pendently lifted gangways (ramps of this type had previously been delivered to, among others, GROM Polish Special Forces Unit). In 2020, the unit re- ceived a TUR VI/LTO light armored vehicle, created specifically for the police's CT units, according to its requirements. The vehicle, contrary to its name, is not light at all, as its total weight exceeds 12 tons. Thanks to it, officers can conduct high risk hostage rescue operations at airports, three-stories building, ram obstacles on the road or closed gates. The ve- hicle's filtering systems and sealing protect the crew in the event of an attack with chemical and biological agents and radioactive dust. The unit uses equipment that increases lethality and survivability of officers, and is almost indispensable these days. This has been demonstrated, among other things, by the conflict in Ukraine, where battlefield reconnaissance means are leading the way in warfare - in the case of the SPKP, we are talking primarily about drones and Tactical Throwable Robots. In units such as this SPKP, the most important thing is, of course, the human, teamwork, resistance to stress, speed of decision-making, execution of tasks and communication in the chain of command, because even the most expensive equipment cannot replace the officer, who must react flexibly to the situation REPORT