Special Tasks and Rescue

Special Tasks and Rescue, generally referred to as STAR Group, is the specialist police tactical and emergency-response organization of South Australia Police. It provides capabilities for incidents that demand more specialized personnel, equipment or tactics than ordinary patrol units can normally supply. Its responsibilities include responding to armed and dangerous offenders, resolving sieges and hostage incidents, conducting high-risk arrests and searches, supporting counter-terrorism operations, providing close personal and VIP protection, managing civil-disorder situations, and carrying out search and rescue work across South Australia. The group was formally established on 30 November 1978, when South Australia Police consolidated several specialist capabilities into a single command. Its institutional history reaches back to July 1957, when the Police Rescue Squad was formed. That earlier unit later became the Police Emergency Operations Group before the 1978 reorganization. The organization was initially known as the STAR Force and was subsequently renamed the STAR Group. The consolidation was intended to make specialist resources available on a coordinated, full-time or on-call basis for emergencies throughout the state. STAR Group's operational scope has developed over time. A restructuring in 1994 expanded its responsibilities to include Water Police functions and coordination of police negotiators. In September 1995, the Water Operations Unit was formally created through the merger of the Underwater Recovery Section and Water Police. The group's work now covers land, air and water environments, with personnel trained in firearms, high-risk policing, counter-terrorist procedures, negotiation support, search and rescue, underwater recovery, helicopter operations, bomb response, crowd control and protective security. Its Operations Section is the core tactical component. Members maintain broad competencies while selected officers develop specialist skills such as helicopter aircrew duties, marksman and observer work, VIP driving, search-and-rescue coordination and bomb-disposal operations. The group can deploy throughout South Australia and may assist with interstate or international police responsibilities, including extradition, deportation-related operations and specialist training. In 2006, the group reportedly attended more than 335 search-and-rescue incidents and 126 tactical or high-risk operations across the state. STAR Group also incorporates or coordinates several supporting capabilities. The Dog Operations Unit deploys trained German Shepherd and Labrador teams for tracking, searching, criminal apprehension, drug detection and explosive detection. The Water Operations Unit conducts marine policing, sea and inland-water search and rescue, diving and recovery operations using a fleet ranging from small inflatable boats to a larger launch. Mounted Operations provides patrol, escort, crowd-management and community-engagement capabilities. The Negotiator Coordination Section supplies trained negotiators for high-risk incidents, with negotiation treated as the preferred initial approach where a peaceful resolution is possible. The Bomb Response Unit deals with improvised explosive devices, commercial explosives, suspected booby traps, military ordnance and explosive-scene clearance. The group uses mission-specific equipment rather than a single standard inventory. Reported equipment has included tactical firearms, less-lethal devices, body armour and police communications equipment. In 2011, STAR Group received a Lenco BearCat armoured vehicle for siege and terrorist-response duties, replacing an earlier Tenix Defence S600 armoured rescue vehicle. The group's personnel are selected and trained for demanding operational conditions and participate in national and international specialist training programs. STAR Group has also had a notable place in the history of women in Australian police tactical units. In 1998, South Australia Police officer Jane Kluzek became the first woman to complete the STAR Group selection course and the first female tactical operator in an Australian police tactical group. A later SAPOL initiative in 2017–18 sought to encourage more women to enter STAR operations; several women undertook training or pre-selection activity, although no additional candidate was reported as successfully obtaining a position in the material available here.

The modern STAR Group emerged from the long-standing need for South Australia Police to maintain specialist resources for emergencies that exceeded the normal capabilities of general patrol officers. Its earliest institutional predecessor was the Police Rescue Squad, established in July 1957. That organization was later renamed the Police Emergency Operations Group as police specialist functions expanded beyond rescue work. On 30 November 1978, South Australia Police rationalized a number of specialist resources into a unified command known as the STAR Force. The purpose of the reorganization was to ensure that trained personnel and specialist equipment could be available continuously or on call for events such as sieges, rescues and incidents involving armed offenders. The organization later adopted the name STAR Group. The group's remit broadened during the 1990s. A restructuring in 1994 brought Water Police responsibilities and negotiator coordination into the wider STAR structure. In September 1995, the Water Operations Unit was formally created by merging the Underwater Recovery Section with Water Police. This gave the group an integrated capability for marine law enforcement, diving, recovery and water-based search and rescue. The organization developed a multi-disciplinary operating model. Its Operations Section became responsible for high-risk policing, counter-terrorist response, search and rescue, VIP protection and support to general patrol operations. Specialist roles within the section included helicopter aircrew, marksmen and observers, VIP drivers, search-and-rescue coordinators and bomb technicians. Members could be deployed across South Australia and, where required, outside the state or overseas for police operations and specialist training. STAR Group's supporting units added further breadth. Dog teams were trained for tracking, criminal apprehension, searching, drug detection and explosives detection. The Water Operations Unit operated vessels and provided police divers for recovery of people and objects from coastal waters, inland waterways and caves. Mounted police supported patrols, escorts, crowd management and public engagement. Negotiators were coordinated for incidents in which communication and de-escalation could achieve a safe resolution. The Bomb Response Unit developed expertise in improvised explosive devices, commercial explosives, military ordnance, bomb-threat advice and post-blast scene preparation. The group has also contributed to the development of women in Australian tactical policing. In 1998, Jane Kluzek became the first woman to complete the STAR Group selection course, making her the first female tactical operator in an Australian police tactical group. In 2017–18, South Australia Police implemented an initiative to encourage more women to seek operational roles in STAR Group. The available account records participation in training and pre-selection but does not indicate a successful appointment from that initiative. Operational demand has included both rescue and tactical incidents. In 2006, STAR Group responded to more than 335 search-and-rescue incidents and 126 tactical or high-risk operations across South Australia. The group has reportedly used a range of firearms, protective equipment, less-lethal tools, vehicles and specialist rescue assets according to mission requirements. In 2011, it received a Lenco BearCat armoured vehicle for siege and terrorist-response work, replacing a Tenix Defence S600 armoured rescue vehicle. Today, STAR Group remains part of the South Australia Police Security and Emergency Management Service and functions as a state-wide specialist resource.

• 2017

  Women’s participation initiative implemented

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  During 2017–18, South Australia Police introduced a program intended to encourage more women to pursue STAR Group operational roles.

• 2011

  Armoured BearCat vehicle introduced

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  STAR Group received a Lenco BearCat armoured vehicle for siege and terrorist-response duties, replacing a Tenix Defence S600 vehicle.

• 2006

  Recorded high operational workload

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  The group responded to more than 335 search-and-rescue incidents and 126 tactical or high-risk operations during the year.

• 1998

  First female Australian tactical operator completed STAR selection

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  Jane Kluzek became the first woman to complete the STAR Group selection course and the first female tactical operator in an Australian police tactical group.

• 1995

  Water Operations Unit formed

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  The Water Operations Unit was created in September through the merger of the Underwater Recovery Section and Water Police.

• 1994

  Responsibilities expanded

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  A restructuring expanded the group's role to include Water Police functions and coordination of negotiators.

• 1978

  STAR Force formally established

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  On 30 November, South Australia Police consolidated specialist resources into the STAR Force to improve emergency and high-risk response.

• 1957

  Police Rescue Squad established

  [1]Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org

  The Police Rescue Squad was formed in July, providing the historical predecessor to the later STAR Group.

A state-wide specialist police response capability for emergencies and high-risk incidents requiring concentrated expertise, specialist equipment and coordinated tactical command.

• Tactical police operations · 1978

  STAR Operations Section

  The core operational section handles high-risk policing, armed-offender incidents, counter-terrorist response, search and rescue, VIP protection, civil-disorder response and support to general patrol units. Members maintain firearms, tactical and rescue skills, while selected officers specialize in helicopter operations, marksman-observer duties, VIP driving, search-and-rescue coordination or bomb response.

• Marine policing and rescue · 1995

  Water Operations Unit

  The Water Operations Unit conducts coastal and inland-water policing, marine search and rescue, diving, recovery and Marine Crime Watch activities. It operates vessels ranging from a small inflatable boat to a larger launch, and provides police divers who can recover people or submerged objects from seas, rivers, lakes and caves.

• Police dog services

  Dog Operations Unit

  The unit deploys trained dog-and-handler teams, primarily using German Shepherds and Labrador retrievers. Its capabilities include tracking, searching, locating people or objects, criminal apprehension, drug detection and explosive detection. Teams are based in metropolitan Adelaide but can support operations throughout South Australia.

• Crisis negotiation · 1994

  Negotiator Coordination Section

  This section coordinates trained police negotiators for high-risk incidents across the state. Negotiation is treated as the preferred initial approach when circumstances allow a peaceful resolution, and negotiators may support sieges, hostage events and other incidents requiring structured communication.

• Explosive ordnance response

  Bomb Response Unit

  The Bomb Response Unit is South Australia Police’s bomb-disposal capability. It responds to improvised explosive devices, commercial explosives, suspected booby traps and military ordnance; conducts high-risk bomb searches; clears explosive scenes before examination; advises the public about bomb threats; and maintains a capability for terrorist incidents.

• Mounted policing

  Mounted Operations Unit

  Mounted police provide highly visible patrols, escorts, crowd-management support and community engagement. The elevated position of the horse improves observation, while mounted officers can access locations that may be difficult for vehicles or foot patrols and may help defuse disorder through a conspicuous but non-aggressive presence.

• Armoured emergency vehicle · 2011

  Lenco BearCat response vehicle

  Introduced in 2011, the Lenco BearCat provides protected transport and support for siege, terrorist and other high-risk incidents. It replaced the group's earlier Tenix Defence S600 armoured rescue vehicle.

• 2011

  Armoured vehicle replacementOther

  Background

  STAR Group required protected mobility for siege and terrorist-response operations.

  Action taken

  A Lenco BearCat armoured vehicle entered service, replacing a Tenix Defence S600 armoured rescue vehicle.

  Aftermath

  The group gained a modern protected vehicle for high-risk deployments.

  Source

• 1994

  Expansion into water policing and negotiator coordinationStrategy

  Background

  The group was restructured to bring additional specialist emergency capabilities into a more integrated command.

  Action taken

  Water Police responsibilities and coordination of police negotiators were added to the group's role.

  Aftermath

  The change broadened STAR Group from a primarily tactical and rescue organization into a wider specialist emergency-management resource.

  Source

• 1978

  Consolidation of specialist police resourcesStrategy

  Background

  South Australia Police sought a more practical and coordinated way to keep specialist personnel available for rescues, sieges, armed-offender incidents and other emergencies.

  Action taken

  Specialist capabilities were combined under the STAR Force on 30 November 1978, later becoming STAR Group.

  Aftermath

  The consolidation created a unified state-wide tactical and emergency-response structure.

  Source

1. 1Special Tasks and Rescueen.wikipedia.org