Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll
| Central Customs Support Group | |
|---|---|
| Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll | |
| Active | 1997 – present |
| Country |  Germany |
| Agency | Bundeszollverwaltung |
| Type | Police tactical unit |
| Headquarters | Cologne 50°58′37″N 7°03′53″E / 50.97694°N 7.06472°E |
| Abbreviation | ZUZ |
| Structure | |
| Officers | 47 |
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The Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll (ZUZ) (Central Customs Support Group) is the police tactical unit of the German Customs Service (Bundeszollverwaltung) and subordinate to the German Customs Investigation Bureau (Zollkriminalamt, ZKA).[1][2]
History
[edit]In response to the increasing violence against law enforcement officers, the ZUZ was formed in 1997 as the customs tactical unit for use when regular officers would be in too much danger. Until that point, the German Customs services requested the service of the SEK units or the GSG 9 for high-risk missions. However, due to the workload of these units, the German Customs Service decided to establish their own special unit for these types of missions.
Recruitment and training
[edit]Any member of the German Customs Service can apply for the selection process of the ZUZ. Requirements are:
- Not older than 35 years
- Physical and mental fitness
The selection process lasts 14 days and includes physical tests, medical examinations, interviews and aptitude tests.
Upon completion of the selection process, new ZUZ members have to attend a 10-week basic training which is followed by a 48-week advanced training.
Preservation of the various basic skills (i.e., shooting, sport and self-defence) is a top priority on the ZUZ training plan as well as driving and safety training and courses on new technical devices.
Equipment
[edit]In addition to an extensive fleet, ZUZ members are armed with the following weapons：
- Glock 17 pistol
- Glock 26 pistol
- Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun
- Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle
- Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle
See also
[edit]- KSK
- Kampfschwimmer
- GSG 9
- Spezialeinsatzkommando
- Counter-terrorism Rapid Response- Italian Guardia di Finanza similar unit
References
[edit]- ^ Hansen, Stefan (2009). Neue deutsche Sicherheitsarchitektur: ist eine Reform der Kompetenzverteilung zwischen Polizeibehörden, Nachrichtendiensten und den Streitkräften notwendig? [New German security architecture: Is a reform of the allocation of rights and duties between police agencies, intelligence services and armed forces necessary?] (in German). Peter Lang. p. 53. ISBN 9783631585351.
- ^ Soiné, Michael (2009). Ermittlungsverfahren und Polizeipraxis: Einführung in das Strafverfahrensrecht [Ermittlungsverfahren und Polizeipraxis: Einführung in das Strafverfahrensrecht]. Kriminalistik Verlag. p. 60. ISBN 9783783200232.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll at Wikimedia Commons
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