Tokubetsu-keibi-tai (Metropolitan Police Department)

The Special Security Unit members with a jō.

The Special Security Unit (特別警備隊 Tokubetsu-keibi-tai) was a rapid reaction force of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) in the pre-war era.^[1]

In 1933, this unit was established in the Security Bureau (警務部 Keimu-bu) for the riot control, counter-terrorism, search and rescue, disaster response or other emergency missions. As a SWAT team of the TMPD, they were equipped with a jō, tantō and FN Model 1910 semi-automatic pistol while ordinary police officers had only a sabre. And a bulletproof vest was also equipped as needed. They were popular as "Shinsengumi in the Shōwa period" even among the common people. ^[1]

In 1944, in conjunction with other prefectures, the Special Security Unit was modified in the Security Unit (警備隊 Keibi-tai). This unit was inactivated in 1946, but after a while, the Guard Unit (防護隊 Bougo-tai) was created for the same role. In 1948, the Guard Unit was reinforced to the Police Reserve Units (予備隊 Yobi-tai), and in 1957, they renamed to the Riot Police Unit (機動隊 Kidō-tai).^[1]

References

1. 100th anniversary event Steering Committee, ed. (1974). History of the Metropolitan Police Department hundred years (in Japanese). Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. p. 205.