In 1964 the AFP created the " Armed Offenders Squad " after officers attended a New South Wales Police Force " Emergency Squad " training course . This unit was under the control of Detectives and worked on a part-time as needed basis . As a result of SACPAV recommendations after the 1978 Sydney Hilton bombing several members of the Army 's elite Special Air Service Regiment ( SASR ) were employed as Commonwealth Police in order to create the " Commonwealth Police Counter Terrorist Operations Section " which was dissolved in 1981 after the CHOGM meeting held in Melbourne . In 1983 , the " Special Operations Team " ( SOT ) was formed . In 2002 , following 9/11 the SOT underwent significant changes . In March 2003 , the SOT was renamed to the Specialist Response and Security section
9/11
September 11 attacks
Specialist Response and Security