Special Security Readiness Team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Special Security Readiness Team[2][a] (特別機動警備隊, Tokubetsu kidō keibitai), also known as SeRT, is a unit of the Japanese Ministry of Justice's Correction Bureau. It is based at the Tokyo Detention House.[4]
| Special Security Readiness Team | |
|---|---|
| 特別機動警備隊 (Japanese) | |
| Active | 2019–present |
| Country | Japan |
| Agency | Ministry of Justice |
| Role |
|
| Part of | Correction Bureau |
| Headquarters | Tokyo Detention House |
| Abbreviation | SeRT |
| Structure | |
| Officers | 58 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Nobuteru Suzuki[1] |
According to Norio Saeki, Director of the Correction Bureau, SeRT is tasked to handle anti-riot and disaster operations at CB-staffed facilities without diverting manpower from various police or fire departments.[5] It allowed the Correction Bureau to have a full-time anti-riot response unit as the CB formerly used temporary anti-riot teams consisting of CB guards[6] and to ensure security of CB-staffed correctional facilities.[7] The unit assists in disaster response when requests are made.
Captain Hiromichi Ouchi is the SeRT's commanding officer when the unit was founded.[2] Captain Shinjiro Nagase was the SeRT Deputy Captain.[8]
History
The SeRT was established on April 1, 2019, at the grounds of the Tokyo Detention House.[2] On June 3, 2019, the unit was awarded the commander's flag by Minister of Justice Takashi Yamashita.[6]
SeRT was called in to provide assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 in Suzaka, Nagano Prefecture a few months after the unit was created.[9] During the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan from 2020 to 2023, SeRT is tasked to oversee anti-COVID-19 infection measures at CB-staffed facilities.[10]
In the aftermath of the 2021 Atami landslide, a humanitarian operation was underway in Atami, Shizuoka.[11] 19 officers were dispatched to work with Atami City officials and the Atami Police Station on July 18 to provide support in traffic duties and protection of restricted areas.[2][12] After Typhoon Hagibis made landfall at Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture,[13] 13 SeRT officers were deployed to Suzaka, Nagano to provide assistance for waste disposal and provide facility security from October 19 to 23.[2][14] From October 23, 14 SeRT officers were deployed to the city up to October 27.[14]
On December 2, 2021, SeRT has publicly shown a Mazda CX-8 that would serve as a commander vehicle, equipped with red emergency lights, a front sensor, a radio and a loudspeaker microphone.[8] It was previously delivered to the Ministry of Justice in November 2021.[8]
On April 19, 2022, SeRT held an induction ceremony to welcome new officers into the unit.[1]
In January 2024, SeRT officers were dispatched in search and rescue (SAR) operations at the Noto Peninsula after the earthquake.[15][16]
Organization
SeRT is composed of 56 officers, including the captain in charge.[7][17]
On April 19, 2022, 58 officers are assigned to SeRT.[1]
Tasks
SeRT is tasked with the following responsibilities:[2]
- Riots and other serious incidents such as prison breaks and attacks inside prisons, detention centers and juvenile training schools.
- Anti-terrorist operations in and around prisons, detention centers and juvenile training schools.
- Dispatch to disaster areas for humanitarian operations, including the operation of emergency shelters.
- Conduct disaster relief operations in correctional facilities after a tsunami or an earthquake under a scale intensity of six or higher.[7]
Equipment
Gallery
SeRT officers in a briefing prior to participating in humanitarian operations in Atami, Shizuoka after the landslides
Kids throw fake stones at SeRT officers during an anti-riot demonstration.
Mazda CX-8 as a Commander's vehicle
Personal equipment
