tejing: 特警 - Special Police, SWAT

• Keywords: 特警, tejing, Chinese special police, Chinese SWAT, SWAT in China, special police unit, 特警 vs 警察, Public Security Bureau, counter-terrorism China, PAP, 武警
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 特警 (tèjǐng), the elite special police units of China, equivalent to Western SWAT teams. This guide explains their role in high-risk situations like counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, breaks down the characters 特 and 警, and clarifies the crucial difference between 特警 and regular police (警察, jǐngchá). Learn through practical example sentences and cultural context how this term is used in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tèjǐng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (The characters 特 and 警 are HSK 4 and 5 respectively)
• Concise Definition: An elite tactical unit of the Chinese police force; special police.
• In a Nutshell: 特警 (tèjǐng) is the Chinese word for what English speakers would call a “SWAT team.” They are highly trained and heavily equipped police officers who handle the most dangerous situations—think hostage rescues, serious violent crime, and counter-terrorism operations. When you see or hear this word, it signals a situation of high importance and significant danger.

• 特 (tè): This character means “special,” “unique,” or “particular.” Its original pictograph was of a bull that stood out from the herd, symbolizing something distinct and exceptional.
• 警 (jǐng): This character means “to warn,” “to be alert,” or “police.” It's composed of 敬 (jìng, “respect”) on top providing the sound, and 言 (yán, “speech/words”) on the bottom. Together, they evoke the idea of authoritative words that serve as a warning, which is a core function of the police.

When combined, 特警 (tèjǐng) literally translates to “Special Police,” a direct and accurate description of their function as an elite unit within the broader police force.

In China, the 特警 are a highly visible symbol of the state's capacity to maintain order and respond to severe threats. They are part of the People's Police (人民警察) system under the Ministry of Public Security (公安部). Their presence at major public events, like the Beijing Olympics or national conferences, is meant to be a powerful deterrent and a reassurance of public safety. The closest Western equivalent is a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team. Both are:

• Elite units within civilian police forces.
• Deployed for high-risk incidents beyond the capabilities of regular officers.
• Trained in specialized tactics, weaponry, and negotiation.

A key difference lies in the broader security landscape in China. The 特警 (tèjǐng) often work in parallel with units from the People's Armed Police (武警, wǔjǐng), a separate paramilitary force responsible for internal security. While their roles can overlap (especially in counter-terrorism and riot control), 特警 are fundamentally civil police officers under local Public Security Bureaus, whereas 武警 are a national gendarmerie force. For a learner, the simplest distinction is that 特警 are “super-cops,” while 武警 are closer to soldiers performing police duties.

The term 特警 (tèjǐng) is used in formal and serious contexts. You will encounter it most often in:

• News Reports: Describing the resolution of a crime, a counter-terrorism drill, or security for a major event.
• Film and Television: Chinese action movies and police dramas frequently feature 特警 units as protagonists.
• Official Announcements: Government statements regarding public security or emergency response.

It is not a term used in casual, everyday conversation unless you are specifically discussing a news story or a movie. The connotation is always serious, professional, and authoritative.

• Example 1:
  • 银行劫案发生后，特警迅速包围了现场。
  • Pinyin: Yínháng jié'àn fāshēng hòu, tèjǐng xùnsù bāowéi le xiànchǎng.
  • English: After the bank robbery occurred, the special police quickly surrounded the scene.
  • Analysis: This is a typical use case you'd find in a news report. It shows the 特警 as a rapid response force for a serious crime.
• Example 2:
  • 这部电影的主角是一名勇敢的特警队员。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de zhǔjué shì yī míng yǒnggǎn de tèjǐng duìyuán.
  • English: The protagonist of this movie is a brave special police team member.
  • Analysis: Here, 特警 is used to describe a character's profession in a fictional context, highlighting their heroic and brave qualities. 队员 (duìyuán) means “team member.”
• Example 3:
  • 成为一名特警需要通过极其严格的体能和心理测试。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī míng tèjǐng xūyào tōngguò jíqí yángé de tǐnéng hé xīnlǐ cèshì.
  • English: Becoming a special police officer requires passing extremely rigorous physical and psychological tests.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the elite nature and high standards of the 特警 force.
• Example 4:
  • 机场部署了大量特警以确保峰会期间的安全。
  • Pinyin: Jīchǎng bùshǔ le dàliàng tèjǐng yǐ quèbǎo fēnghuì qījiān de ānquán.
  • English: The airport deployed a large number of special police to ensure security during the summit.
  • Analysis: This shows the 特警's role in preventative security for high-profile events.
• Example 5:
  • 小心！那些不是普通警察，是特警！
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn! Nàxiē bùshì pǔtōng jǐngchá, shì tèjǐng!
  • English: Be careful! Those aren't regular police, they are special police!
  • Analysis: This sentence, perhaps from a movie, clearly illustrates the distinction between regular police (普通警察, pǔtōng jǐngchá) and the more formidable 特警.
• Example 6:
  • 特警部队装备了最先进的武器和防护装备。
  • Pinyin: Tèjǐng bùduì zhuāngbèi le zuì xiānjìn de wǔqì hé fánghù zhuāngbèi.
  • English: The special police force is equipped with the most advanced weapons and protective gear.
  • Analysis: This highlights the “special” aspect of 特警, focusing on their superior equipment. 部队 (bùduì) means “force” or “unit.”
• Example 7:
  • 经过数小时的对峙，特警成功解救了所有人质。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò shù xiǎoshí de duìzhì, tèjǐng chénggōng jiějiù le suǒyǒu rénzhì.
  • English: After a standoff of several hours, the special police successfully rescued all the hostages.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a core mission of 特警: hostage rescue (解救人质, jiějiù rénzhì).
• Example 8:
  • 孩子们看到特警在商场巡逻，都觉得很酷。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen kàn dào tèjǐng zài shāngchǎng xúnluó, dōu juédé hěn kù.
  • English: The children saw the special police patrolling in the mall and thought it was very cool.
  • Analysis: This shows a more public-facing, non-emergency role, where their presence is seen as impressive or “cool” (酷, kù).
• Example 9:
  • 今天的演习模拟了特警如何应对恐怖袭击。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de yǎnxí mónǐ le tèjǐng rúhé yìngduì kǒngbù xíjí.
  • English: Today's drill simulated how the special police respond to a terrorist attack.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights another key responsibility: counter-terrorism (应对恐怖袭击, yìngduì kǒngbù xíjí).
• Example 10:
  • 他的梦想是长大后加入北京的“蓝剑”特警突击队。
  • Pinyin: Tā de mèngxiǎng shì zhǎng dà hòu jiārù Běijīng de “Lán Jiàn” tèjǐng tūjīduì.
  • English: His dream is to join Beijing's “Blue Sword” special police assault team when he grows up.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the name of a real, famous 特警 unit (“蓝剑突击队,” Lán Jiàn Tūjīduì) and shows the term in a more specific context.

• 特警 (tèjǐng) vs. 警察 (jǐngchá): This is the most common point of confusion. Never use 特警 to refer to a regular police officer. A 警察 (jǐngchá) is any police officer. A 特警 is an elite officer for special situations.
  • Incorrect: 我问一个特警怎么去地铁站。(Wǒ wèn yīgè tèjǐng zěnme qù dìtiě zhàn.) - “I asked a SWAT officer how to get to the subway station.” This is highly unlikely and incorrect. You would ask a regular 警察.
  • Correct: 我问一个警察怎么去地铁站。(Wǒ wèn yīgè jǐngchá zěnme qù dìtiě zhàn.)
• 特警 (tèjǐng) vs. 武警 (wǔjǐng): While both are elite forces dealing with internal security, they belong to different systems. 特警 are police; 武警 (wǔjǐng) are paramilitary gendarmerie. For a beginner, think of it as “Special Police” vs. “Armed Police (who act like soldiers).” You will often see both mentioned in reports on major security events.

• 警察 (jǐngchá) - The general term for “police” or “police officer.” 特警 is a type of 警察.
• 武警 (wǔjǐng) - People's Armed Police. A separate gendarmerie force with roles that can overlap with 特警.
• 公安 (gōng'ān) - Public Security. Often used as a synonym for the police force or the Ministry of Public Security.
• 反恐 (fǎnkǒng) - Counter-terrorism. A primary mission for 特警 units.
• 突击队 (tūjīduì) - Assault team or commando team. A term often used to describe a specific 特警 operational unit.
• 防暴警察 (fángbào jǐngchá) - Riot police. This is a specialized role that 特警 units are often trained for.
• 特种部队 (tèzhǒng bùduì) - Special Forces. Crucial distinction: This refers to elite military units (like US Navy SEALs), not police. Do not confuse with 特警.
• 人质 (rénzhì) - Hostage. Rescuing hostages is a classic 特警 scenario.
• 警察局 (jǐngchájú) - Police station / police bureau. The administrative home of police forces.