Police are reassuring Christchurch residents not to be alarmed if they see specialist armed units practising in the city this week.
The New Zealand Police national Special Tactics Group will be training in residential red zone areas and industrial locations in Christchurch during the week.
Residents in the area and surrounding communities are being advised that the training exercises will include the use of explosives and firearms.
The exercises are part of a national training camp which runs from today [Monday 12 August] to Friday [16 August] and also includes exercises at industrial sites in Harewood and Hornby, as well as the Police Range in McLeans Island.
Special Tactics Group Commander Inspector Steve Mather says the training will focus on hostage rescue operations by making forced entry into a range of domestic housing and commercial buildings.
"It is critical that the STG continue to train and develop their skills around the various methods of tactical forced entry," he says.
"The large number of vacant, modern construction buildings available in Christchurch following the earthquakes provides a unique training opportunity.
"Many of the residents who remain in residential red zone areas have in the past expressed appreciation that the continued police presence in the area is valuable for their security.
"However we are also extremely mindful that this type of training has the potential to alarm residents, and we are making every possible effort to notify the wider community of this activity."
Inspector Mather says Police have conducted an extensive mail-drop in areas near the training sites to inform residents about the exercises.
"The few residents and businesses that remain close to the venues have been personally visited by Police staff and the exercise parameters explained.
"We have also notified schools and pre-schools in areas close to the training locations.
"At each site, marked Police vehicles will be deployed as cordons where required. Police Exercise signage will be erected and safety officers deployed in hi-visibility jackets.
"To further limit possible disruptions the training will only occur between 9am and 8pm each day."
Inspector Mather says the training will use a wide range of the tactical options available to the Police, from manual breaching tools like sledgehammers, powered cutting tools and chain saws through to explosive charges.
During the training, the STG staff will be deployed in full tactical kit and will be carrying weapons.
A total of 10 New Zealand Police STG staff and four members from various Australian State Police Tactical Teams will be taking part in the course.
The course is overseen by an international guest instructor from the United States, to ensure the New Zealand and Australian Police Teams are current with the latest best practice in terms of tactics and safety.
The training schedule is:
• Monday 12th: Police Range McLeans Island, 0900-1700hrs
• Tuesday 13th: Melody Place, Burwood, 0900-1630hrs
• Wednesday 14th: Smiths Cranes, 484 Johns Rd, 0930-1100hrs;
• Goodman Building, 652 Halswell Junction Rd, 1200-1700hrs
• Thursday 15th: Melody Place, Burwood, 1000-2000hrs
• Friday 16th: Melody Place, Burwood, 0900-1200hrs
ENDS