Structure
As of 2012, there are 17 squads throughout New Zealand covering all major population centres, with a total strength of around 320 members. The mission of the AOS is to provide police with a means of effectively and safely responding to and resolving situations in which there is a risk of firearms or similarly dangerous weapons being involved, and when weapons are directed against either members of the public, or the police service. The AOS is made up entirely of volunteers, who must have passed a national selection and training course, with further, localised training given on a district level. They are part time, come from all branches of the New Zealand Police, and operate on a call out basis. According to official figures, AOS units attended 533 incidents nationwide in the year 1998/99.
Members of the AOS are eligible for selection into the Special Tactics Group (STG) the full-time elite anti-terrorist unit of the New Zealand Police. This unit trains together with the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) however only limited information on it is released by the New Zealand Police.
Members receive additional pay above the regular police wage, in one case around $9,000 per year in 2008.
Read more about this topic: Armed Offenders Squad
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