When four police officers and a civilian were senselessly gunned down by armed offenders in early 1963, the tragedies sparked sweeping changes to the way Police were to deal with all future armed incidents.
In early August 1964, those changes saw the first group of hand-picked Police officers receive orders to attend "a course to train squads to deal with armed offenders" at the Papakura military camp – and the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) was born.
This weekend, past and present AOS members from around the country, their families, and members of the Police Executive are gathered in Wellington to mark the squad's 50th anniversary and remember those who have gone before. Also marking their contribution are the Police Special Tactics Group (STG) and Police Negotiation Team (PNT). Each of the country's 17 AOS units will also be hosting their own events over the coming months.
"These anniversary commemorations are a significant and poignant milestone for Police, and mark the huge contribution that past and present members have made," says Assistant Commissioner Operations Mike Rusbatch, a former AOS Commander and member of the Anti-Terrorist Squad, a forerunner to the STG.
"Over the last 50 years, emerging out of great tragedy has been a proud tradition of service to our communities, led by dedicated men and women under some of the most extreme and challenging circumstances imaginable, which has undoubtedly saved many innocent lives."
The official commemorations, which involve past and current members and guests, include a public event at the Royal New Zealand Police College, Porirua, today (Saturday 9 August) from 1.30–3.30pm. This will feature live demonstrations of equipment and tactics, Police dogs and other displays.
The New Zealand Police Museum features a significant exhibition showcasing important milestones and exhibits in the history of the AOS and other specialist squads. To mark the occasion, Police will also be presented with a carved Wahaika (or mere) reflecting the squad's history and traditions.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to show the public the range of work we do and demonstrate the skills of our specialist units," Mr Rusbatch says. "What began 50 years ago as a programme delivering military-focused arms training to small groups of hand-picked officers, has grown into a network of around 300 highly trained, well-equipped and skilled staff who respond to a range of extremely challenging situations up and down the length of the country every day."
There are currently 17 AOS units across New Zealand, made up of nearly 300 volunteers from within Police. To gain a place on the squad, officers must qualify at a rigorous national selection course and attend regular training. AOS members are part-time and come from all branches of Police. Also attached to every squad is a PNT, trained in crisis intervention techniques.
Former AOS commander, Detective Superintendent Ray van Beynen, who has also authored a history of the squad, says its motto of "cordon, contain and appeal" reflects its focus on resolving every incident as peacefully as possible.
"In its 50 years, the AOS has undertaken thousands of deployments, ranging from domestic incidents and drug warrants to armed sieges. However, in that time, no AOS member has been lost during an operation – a record that we strive to continue.
"This is despite members putting their lives on the line in some of the most dangerous, highly-charged and difficult situations possible. The fact they resolve the vast majority of incidents without a shot fired is testament to their skill, training, courage and commitment, and I have no doubt that countless other lives have been saved because of their intervention.”
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson, PNHQ Public Affairs, Ph 04 470 7316 or 021 192 2919.
A 50th Anniversary media pack is also available online.
