The weapons police are using to combat protesters

Dedicated riot police are at the frontline of wild protests in the city. This is the arsenal of weapons they’re using and the tactics they’re deploying.

Specialist riot police have been thrust into the frenzied frontline this week as the ultra-right, CFMEU members and anti-vaxxers clash with officers on the streets of Melbourne.

The dedicated squad, Public Order Response Team (PORT), are 100-plus members strong and are highly trained in tackling rebellious hordes itching for a fight.

And they carry an arsenal of weapons with them.

PORT, formed in June 2011, has amped up its training and weaponry since 2018 to respond to everything from violent demonstrations to terror attacks.

The Public Order Response Team has been deployed to the protests. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Police have fired rubber bullets at protesters. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Specialist police formed a line outside Flinders Street Station. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

But much of its weaponry is designed to stop rioters in their tracks, not kill them.

Their non-fatal arsenal includes:

• Semi-automatic pepperball rifles capable of repeat firing pepper and paint balls. (Those hit with paint balls can later be identified).
• Stinger grenades which explode releasing light flashes, smoke and rubber pellets,
• A high-powered 40mm launcher that fires a foam projectile capable of knocking down a rioter,
• Capsicum-filled canisters which detonate a cloud of spray,
• Drones to monitor crowds,
• Rigid side handle batons, and
• Light-weight shields, helmets, body armour, gas masks and plastic handcuffs.

Next week Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt is expected to meet with Chief Commissioner Shane Patton about officer safety, ongoing protests and whether PORT needs to bolstered further.

The move to upgrade its “tools” in 2018 was made after tackling a series of demonstrations which turned violent in the CBD.

The Public Order Response Team formed in 2011. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Their weaponry is designed to stop rioters in their tracks, not kill them. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Police have fired tear gas at protesters in the city. Picture: Alex Coppel.

In 2011, PORT was involved in the removal of Occupy Melbourne demonstrators from the City Square and a year later faced-off with angry CFMEU members protesting construction firm Grocon’s use of non-union labour at the Emporium site.

Other incidents it has been deployed to include quelling soccer hoons roaming Melbourne’s CBD.

PORT officers have also been used by the Safer Streets Taskforce to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in the CBD.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said PORT officers underwent stringent training.

“The rigorous training course that PORT officers undertake means they are highly skilled in public order management,’’ a spokesperson said.

“In recent years, there has been a strong focus on increasing the capability and capacity of our response to public order issues including protests, major events and riots.

“PORT members are equipped with innovative crowd control equipment, which gives police increased capacity to intervene in situations where people’s behaviour puts the community or police in danger.

“As an example, PORT members are trained to use the VKS Pepperball, a 40mm launcher which fires a foam projectile.

“Extensive research has gone into selecting the equipment used by PORT.’’

Apart from public order issues, PORT’s work extends to natural disaster relief, protecting international political visitors and major events.

The unit also can be called upon to support frontline police, road policing and emergency management operations.