The National Police Anti-Terror Training Center in Taoyuan City rarely gets much news coverage. But last week, Taiwan’s top terror-response police gave a high-octane training demonstration for visiting lawmakers, showing the country it has nothing to fear.
This seemingly ordinary building may look like any other government administration center, but then looks can be deceiving. This is the National Police anti-terror training center. Last Thursday, a group of lawmakers inspected the facility to see what exactly the training center did. They weren’t disappointed. Squads of anti-terror police put on a simulated raid of a makeshift weapons factory.
Demonstrators showcased sharp maneuvers, keen tactics, and Taiwan’s latest in anti-terror equipment. Here, police are taught how to handle a variety of terror scenarios. There are indoor and outdoor training facilities, simulating everything from airplane fuselages and office buildings to urban landscapes.
Deputy Interior Minister Chen Tsung-yen says that the center hosts comprehensive training programs covering everything from ground assault to command coordination. He says that the facility also consults with other countries for the latest in anti-terror practices.
Lawmakers also got to see anti-terror police gear, like this 17kg ballistic shield, bullet proof vests, and combat helmets. A few lawmakers also got hands on with the police’s assault weapons.
The training center covers around 29 hectares of land and is well-equipped to handle a multitude of situations. When compared to other countries, Taiwan is relatively safe, and does not experience many acts of terrorism. However, it’s better to have something and not need it, than need something and not have it. In this case, that “something” is a well-trained police force that’s ready for any contingency.