The Unit Tindakan Cepat in Malay (Quick action unit) are the special response units of the Royal Malaysia Police. Based at all police contingent headquarters in Malaysia, UTC are full-time units whose members do not perform any other duties, and are essentially the equivalent of American SWAT teams. They are units of the Criminal Investigations Department. They are also called upon to respond first to any counter-terrorist action, before the arrival of Pasukan Gerakan Khas reinforcements.
History
The organisation formed in the early 2000s and replaced roles of the Pasukan Gerakan Khas (main elite Counter-Terrorist unit) which was the main SWAT duty team throughout Malaysia. It was formed to enhance the capabilities of the Criminal Investigation Division (which the UTC is a division of) in facing and handling all dangerous criminal activities; from both individuals and groups. There has always been a rising requirement for a quick, always-ready unit in various city areas throughout Malaysia. The new unit's role is to handle cases of serious crimes in progress, particularly cases involving firearms, such as dealing with bank and jewellery robberies, murders, kidnappings, prison escapes, and raiding the hideouts of armed criminals.
This unit will aid the elite counter-terrorist force - the Pasukan Gerakan Khas - in handling situations more suited to normal SWAT units. Before the formation of the UTC, the Pasukan Gerakan Khas handled all serious situations from armed robberies to hostage rescue. Two states had recently set up UTC Headquarters of their respective areas - Terengganu and Johor.
The UTC are trained by the experienced Pasukan Gerakan Khas, and are fully and equipped for all situations of urban combat or CQB. This unit's rapid responses and deployments have been effective in capturing many criminals since its formation in the 2000s.
Role
The UTC special role enabled the Criminal Investigation Division to have its own professional and skilled unit in facing all dangerous threats when required.
This unit has also been specially trained to secure samples of crime scene evidence safely to the forensic agencies for examinations. The units main HQ is located at the Police HQ at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. Orders and commands are controlled by the Director of Criminal Investigation Division and also assisted by the Deputy Director.
Eligibility and training
As mentioned above, all UTC members get special training from the Pasukan Gerakan Khas unit to enable the unit UTC to engage missions effectively. Most of the training conducted are urban battle and CQB. Special Operations Forces training are conducted to the UTC to increase the strength and endurance of unit members, maximising mentality strength and exposure to critical and tactical operations. Also among the training absorbed into this unit are:
Operation planning
Quick and effective raids of buildings, road vehicles, and trains
Expertise use of firearms and explosives
Sharpshooting and sniper
However, this unit does not just get training from PGK. The UTC men are regularly sent to take courses outside of the country to train with foreign units with similar roles.
Equipment
UTC uses all up-to-date equipment for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Specific clothing
Specific uniform for the UTC is dark navy blue long sleeve shirt along with their dark navy blue cargo pants are tucked into military boots.
Beret
Dark blue berets are used by the UTC. Berets of senior officers bear a cloth badge embroidery, while members of lower ranks bears badges on their berets, which are made from silver.
Combat boots
Combat Boots used by the UTC are the same as to those used by the Federal Reserve Unit operators.
Bulletproof vests
Bulletproof vests are the most important gear equipped to any personnel of security forces. Vests used by the UTC has a slight difference from the PGK vest. The latter vest also has pockets for small tools required in special operations. Vests for the UTC is also used by the members of CID, and has a simple design with no pockets. The standard UTC vests are made from Kevlar and are capable of stopping ammunition thrusts as powerful as the 5.56mm NATOs, and the ultimate UTK vests are capable to restrain 7.62 mm NATO bullets. The UTC vests have "POLICE" embedded to its front and back.