View source for National Task Force

{{Short description|Swedish police unit}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name         = National Task Force
| native_name       = {{native name|sv|Ordningspolisens nationella insatsstyrka}}
| native_namea      = <!-- Use {{native name|language code|name}} -->
| native_namer      = <!-- Use {{native name|language code|name}} -->
| image             = NI-492x346.png
| image_size        = 250px
| alt               = 
| caption           = 
| dates             = 1991–present
| country           = {{flagcountry|Sweden}}
| agency            = [[Swedish Police Authority]]
| type              = [[Police tactical unit]]
| role              = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Counter-terrorism]]
* [[Law enforcement]]
{{Endplainlist}}
| ops_juris         = 
| command_structure = [[Swedish Police Authority#National Operations Department|National Operations Department]]
| headquarters_label = 
| headquarters      = 
| coordinates       = 
| motto             = "''Posse Ante Factum Audere Cum Convenit''{{-"}}
| motto_translated  = To be prepared before it happens, to dare when it happens
| common_name       = 
| abbreviation      = NI
<!-- Structure -->| sworn_type_label  = Officers
| sworn             = Approx. 60
| unsworn_type_label = 
| unsworn           = 
| subunit_type_label = 
| subunits          = 
| station_type_label = 
| stations          = <!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander = Hampus Nygårds<ref name="af Kleen & Härdslin (2017)">{{cite news |url=https://www.dn.se/arkiv/nyheter/elitstyrkan-laddar-for-den-nya-terrorismen/ |newspaper=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |title=Elitstyrkan laddar för den nya terrorismen |first1=Björn |last1=af Kleen |first2=Lotta |last2=Härdelin |date=2017-06-04 |access-date=25 September 2017 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
| notable_commanders = <!-- Notables -->
| programs          = <!-- or | programmes = -->
| significant_operations = Various hostage operations<br>Capture of [[Mijailo Mijailović]] and several suspect terrorists
| anniversaries     = 
| awards            = <!-- Equipment -->
| vehicles          = 
| boats             = 
| aircraft          = 
| animals           = <!--Website -->
| website           = <!-- Use {{URL|example.com}} or {{Official website|example.com}} -->
}}

[[File:2017 Stockholm attack 04.jpg|thumb|National Task Force operators during the [[2017 Stockholm truck attack]].|305x305px]]The '''National Task Force''' ({{langx|sv|Nationella insatsstyrkan}}, ''NI''), formerly known as the '''National Task Force of the Swedish Civilian Police''' ({{langx|sv|Ordningspolisens nationella insatsstyrka}}), is a [[police tactical unit]] within the [[Swedish Police Authority#National Operations Department|National Operations Department]] of the [[Swedish Police Authority]].

==History==
After the [[assassination of Olof Palme]] in 1986, two state commissions were appointed to assess [[Sweden|Sweden's]] [[counter-terrorism]] capabilities. 

As a result, the government ordered the [[Swedish National Police Board]] to organize the "Standby Force Against Terrorism" (''Beredskapsstyrkan mot terrorism'') within the Stockholm County Police Authority in 1990.<ref name="Polisen.se (2016)">{{cite web |url=https://polisen.se/Om-polisen/Specialkompetenser/Nationella-insatsstyrkan/ |publisher=[[Swedish Police Authority]] |title=Nationella insatsstyrkan |trans-title=National Task Force |date=2016-10-06 |access-date=10 April 2017 |language=Swedish}}</ref> 

The group was soon renamed ''Nationella insatsstyrkan'' and became also a resource for the whole of Sweden. The right to make decisions about when they were used was delegated by the government to the Swedish National Police Board.<ref name="Polisen.se (2016)" /> 

After a parliamentary decision in 2002, the NTF was transferred from the Stockholm County Police Authority to the National Criminal Police (''Rikskriminalpolisen''). I

n connection with the reorganization of the police in 2015, the NTF was placed under the [[Swedish Police Authority#National Operations Department|National Operations Department]].<ref name="Polisen.se (2016)" />

== Tasks and operations ==
The NTF is meant to handle extraordinarily difficult or life-threatening criminal situations, such as [[terrorism]] and [[hostage situation]]s.

The main tasks of the unit includes:

* [[Counter-terrorism|Counter terrorism]]
*[[Hostage Rescue|Hostage rescue]]
* [[Special reconnaissance]] 
* High risk arrests
* Maritime operations
* [[Negotiation|Negotiation in crisis situations]]
* Reinforced [[Bodyguard|close protection]]
* Securing evidence in complex or high risk situations

The unit also conducts intervention tasks in cities or areas located outside of the area of responsibility of the [[Reinforced Regional Task Force|reinforced regional task forces]] of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and that are too complex for the regional task forces of the non-metropolitan regions to handle.

The NTF has participated in international operations in an advisory role. They regularly accompany the personal protection details of the [[Swedish Security Service]] abroad, providing a CAT (counter assault team) capability. They were also deployed aboard the [[Swedish Coast Guard]] vessels participating in the [[European Union|EU-led]] border security [[operation Triton]], acting as a [[Naval boarding|boarding party]].

== Organization ==
The NTF has one head of the unit with a number of subordinated coordinators, and a staff of experienced police officers from the unit. Under this management group the force is divided into 8 groups:
*Alpha
*Bravo
*Charlie
*Delta
*Echo
*Fox ([[sniper]]s)
*Golf ([[sniper]]s)
*Hotel ([[Scuba diving|divers]])
The NTF is part of the National Intervention Concept (NIK). Launched in 2015, this concept standardized and regulated the employment, structure and capabilities of the Swedish police's tactical units. 

The NIK divides the various tactical units into three levels of capabilities:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polisen.se/link/aec54e22f41445a98ab6c5b652133060|title=Region Öst övar det nationella insatskonceptet {{!}} Polismyndigheten|last=Creator|website=polisen.se|language=sv|access-date=2019-03-31}}</ref>

'''National capability:''' Provided by the NTF

'''Reinforced regional capability:''' Provided by the [[Reinforced Regional Task Force|RRTF (Piketen)]] in regions [[Stockholm]], [[Västra Götaland County|West]] and [[Scania|South]].

'''General regional capability:''' Provided by regional tactical teams dispersed throughout their respective region. This capability exists in regions [[Norrland|North]], [[Östergötland|East]], [[Uppland|Mid]] and [[Bergslagen]].

== Selection ==

The unit recruits operators bi-annually. To be eligible for service with the NTF the applicant is required to have completed either:<ref name="Creator">{{Cite web|url=https://polisen.se/om-polisen/polisens-arbete/nationella-insatsstyrkan/jobba-pa-ni/|title=Jobba på nationella insatsstyrkan, NI {{!}} Polismyndigheten|last=Creator|website=polisen.se|language=sv-SE|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polisen.se/link/7d16d718cd374aa98c28d80491dd0016|title=Jobba på NI {{!}} Polismyndigheten|last=Creator|website=polisen.se|language=sv|access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref>

* [[Swedish Police Authority#Police training|Police training]]: Two and a half year in length (including probationary service period)
* Minimum of 4 years of continuous service in either the [[Swedish Armed Forces|military]], [[Swedish Coast Guard|coast guard]] or [[Swedish Customs Service|customs]]

Applicants who meet the basic requirements are then tested on their physical and psychological stamina during two 2 day periods. 

If successful they're invited to attend a grueling 10 day selection course in the field. At the end of the recruitment process an average of 6-10% of the candidates remain and progress to the roughly 7 months long operator training course.

Candidates not already serving as police officers undergo a shorter, compressed police training roughly 18 months in length (including a 6-month probationary service period) to become badged police officers prior to attending the operator training course.<ref name="Creator"/>

== Service ==
Members of the NTF work full-time in the force.

At the units inception the operators used to work two weeks on the unit followed by two weeks of regular police work, but as the need for them increased they changed it to full-time to cope with the demand and the need for more training. Most members have prior military service and as of recently direct application from the military to the unit is possible.

About 50% of the day-to-day work is dedicated to training, with the remaining 50% consisting of readiness and operational missions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nationella Insatsstyrkan {{!}} Polismyndigheten|url=https://polisen.se/link/7d16d718cd374aa98c28d80491dd0016|access-date=2021-10-04|website=polisen.se|language=sv}}</ref> The majority of the units operational taskings comes from the [[Swedish Security Service]], being the agency with the primary responsibility for counter terrorism and counter extremism. The unit perform roughly 100 operational missions per year.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-06-03|title=Elitstyrkan laddar för den nya terrorismen|language=sv|work=Dagens Nyheter|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/elitstyrkan-laddar-for-den-nya-terrorismen/|access-date=2021-10-04|issn=1101-2447}}</ref>

The NTF has a close and active cooperation with the [[Swedish Armed Forces|military]], they have aviation support via the [[Swedish Air Force|Air Force's]] [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawks]] and regularly train with their military counterpart, the [[Särskilda operationsgruppen|Special Operations Task Group]]. 

The NTF also has an active cooperation with several equivalent units in Europe in place via the ATLAS counter terrorism network, especially with other Nordic units such as the Danish [[Politiets Aktionsstyrke|AKS]] and the Norwegian [[Delta (Norwegian police unit)|Delta]].

For maritime operations the NTF is supported by the [[Swedish Coast Guard|Coast Guard]], whose National boarding group operates [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s.

[[File:Kustjägare 07 (33485772304).jpg|thumb|RHIB's from the National boarding group. |268x268px]]

== Equipment ==
The special equipment of the NTF is significantly different from that of the ordinary police. Operators are equipped with different radios, as wells as vest and uniforms from American manufacturer [https://www.cryeprecision.com/ Crye Precision], ballistic Ops Core helmets and AN/PVS-31 night vision goggles. They distinguish themselves from [[Swedish Police Authority#Uniform|other Swedish police]] by the green uniforms worn while operating in uniform.
{| class="wikitable"
!Model
!Type
!Caliber
!Origin
!Notes
|-
|[[SIG Sauer P226]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| rowspan="3" |[[9×19mm Parabellum]]
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|Current standard sidearm
|-
|[[Glock]]
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|Future issue<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hagström |first=Per |date=2022-04-27 |title=”I princip alla kommer ha Glock 45” |url=https://polistidningen.se/2022/04/i-princip-alla-kommer-ha-glock-45/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Polistidningen |language=sv-SE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hagström |first=Per |date=2022-09-01 |title=Så ska Glockarna fördelas |url=https://polistidningen.se/2022/09/sa-ska-glockarna-fordelas/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Polistidningen |language=sv-SE}}</ref>
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5]]
|[[Submachine gun]]
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|Standard issue SMG<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2017 |title=EXCLUSIVE: The Swedish SWAT gets LWRC IC-Enhanced rifles - |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/21/lwrci-swedish-police/}}</ref>
|-
|[[LWRC M6]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|United States}}
| rowspan="2" |Standard issue rifle<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-04-12 |title=LWRC IC-A5s Now in Use by Swedish LE - The Firearm Blog |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/12/lwrc-ic-a5s-now-use-swedish-le/ |access-date=2017-07-21 |work=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2017 |title=EXCLUSIVE: The Swedish SWAT gets LWRC IC-Enhanced rifles - |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/21/lwrci-swedish-police/}}</ref>
|-
|[[LWRC REPR]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Sniper rifle]]
|[[7.62x51mm NATO]]
|-
|[[Sako TRG|Sako TRG M10]] 
|[[.338 Lapua Magnum]].
|{{Flag|Finland}}
|Issued to snipers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram post by Lars Jonsson 🇸🇪 • Nov 30, 2014 at 2:05pm UTC |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/wBs59sPhpC/ |access-date=2017-04-03 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref>
|}

==Commanders==
*????–2010 – Bertil Olofsson<ref name="Bark (2010)">{{cite news |url=http://www.di.se/artiklar/2010/6/3/di-weekend-med-livet-som-insats/ |newspaper=[[Dagens Industri]] |title=DI Weekend: Med livet som insats |first=Susanne |last=Bark |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=10 April 2017 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
*2010–2015 – Marie Jarnérus<ref name="Bark (2010)"/>
*2015–present – Hampus Nygårds<ref name="af Kleen & Härdslin (2017)"/>

== Similar units ==
* {{GER}} – [[GSG 9]]
* {{FRA}} – [[Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence|RAID]]
* {{US}} – [[Hostage Rescue Team|FBI Hostage Rescue Team]]
* {{DEN}} – [[Politiets Aktionsstyrke|AKS]]
* {{NOR}} – [[Delta (Norwegian police unit)|Delta]]
* {{UK}} – [[Specialist Firearms Command|SCO19]]
* {{FIN}} - [[Police Rapid Response Unit|SIU]]

==See also==
* [[Law enforcement in Sweden]]
* [[Reinforced Regional Task Force]] (Piketen)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://polisen.se/Om-polisen/Specialkompetenser/Nationella-insatsstyrkan/ Official Webpage]

[[Category:ATLAS Network]]
[[Category:Law enforcement agencies of Sweden]]
[[Category:Police tactical units]]
[[Category:Task forces]]