Selection and Training
To maintain the SDU's high standards, recruitment exercises are not open to the general public. To even qualify for recruitment, one must have a minimum of two years service in the Police Tactical Unit and complete training under the PTU, and to be both a non-smoker and non-drinker. The selection process is very stringent, with a high drop-out rate; only about 100 are selected to enlist in the SDU. The SDU's training program has been merged with the ASU recently to prevent potential candidates from dropping out from either unit.
Originally the Special Duties Unit received much of their training from the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service. After about 15 years, the SDU took on its own training, mainly keeping with the techniques of their British special forces mentors, but also exchanging ideas and holding frequent training exercises with other similar units from around the world.
The officers in the unit maintain a high degree of secrecy and only the closest family members know their true identity.
The SDU does not enforce a retirement age, due to the unit's emphasis on overall personal capability rather than physical prowess alone; an officer only retires when he wishes to resign or has become incapable of fulfilling his duties.
Read more about this topic: Special Duties Unit
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—Ellen Terry (1847–1928)