The Tactical Response Unit is a federal law enforcement agency under the National Office of Security Enforcement, appearing in the HD Universe of the Grand Theft Auto series.
Description
The agency is the most prominent branch of the NOOSE. They provide heavily-armed critical incident response, and they play a major role in Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes, replacing the SWAT from the 3D Universe.
Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes of Liberty City
The Tactical Response Unit is called when the player gains a four-star wanted level. They replace regular LCPD crews in Police Mavericks and arrive in Enforcer armored trucks. TRU operators are equipped with Body Armor, allowing them to withstand more gunfire before going down, in a similar manner to FIB agents. TRU officers keep low to the ground as they move, and are quick to take cover if need be. As the situation escalates, TRU operators will be dispatched in Annihilator helicopters in order to address any threats.
Tactical Response personnel consists of young Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic officers. Officers wear highly advanced protective gear, consisting of a dark grey uniform with ballistic armor, displaying "POLICE" text on the front right and "N.O.O.S.E." on the back. The armor is outfitted with numerous pouches for storage of equipment and ammunition. A radio pack and handheld mic are worn on the front of their vest for easy use during combat. Numerous protective accessories can be seen as well, being protective pads on their elbows, knees and shoulders, with the latter displaying the seal of the agency. Officers wear black combat boots paired with dark grey fatigues. A drop holster, seemingly containing a Glock 18, is strapped to their right thigh, while a large magazine pouch is worn on the left thigh. TRU officers may be seen wearing different combinations of headgear, consisting of a tactical helmet with goggles raised, goggles equipped, and goggles equipped, along with a respirator.
Curiously, TRU officers appear to wear black uniform shirts and black ties underneath their body armor, a highly unorthodox choice for tactical operations.
In multiplayer, the NOOSE TRU is the main rival force during Hangman's NOOSE, in which players must escort Kenny Petrovic from the airport to Charge Island.
In The Lost and Damned's multiplayer game mode Witness Protection, a team of players play as NOOSE TRU officers. They must escort a Prison Bus and its occupants to a few police stations in Liberty City while protecting them from The Lost MC. This game mode is the only mode in the series so far that allows players to play as NOOSE TRU officers.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
The Tactical Response Unit officers are deployed when the player has a three-star wanted level. They chase the player in Enforcers driven by one officer each, and engage the player with Micro SMGs.
A TRU officer always wears blue tactical helmets and equipment with a black shirt.
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
The Tactical and Response Unit returns in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online. They begin to assist the LSPD/LSSD when the player has a wanted level of at least three stars.
On the ground, NOOSE TRU officers are dispatched at four stars, driving FIB Grangers (in Los Santos) or Sheriff SUVs (in Blaine County), with two officers hanging off the side of the SUV and using their pistols to shoot the player. If the player barricades themselves in a building, or behind tight cover, the officers will begin to use Tear Gas to force them out. They will also use gas against the player on the streets and in open spaces.
In the air, TRU officers will begin to appear in Police Mavericks that will be sent after the player at three stars; they will shoot at the player using Carbine Rifles. At four stars, some helicopters may carry four TRU officers who will rappel down to the ground; alternatively, the helicopter may land and they will get out on the ground.
All TRU officers wear balaclavas, goggles and tactical helmets, along with blue and black uniforms in addition to their ballistic armor. No markings indicating their nature as TRU officers are visible; the only real indicator is elements of their dialogue, and protagonist dialogue in certain missions. They are usually African-American, Hispanic, or Caucasian. These officers appear to take pleasure in killing suspects as their dialogue suggests they experience arousal from the violence, and possibly knowing they can get away with murder.
Influence
The Tactical Response Unit appears to be based on the CBP Special Response Team (SRT) and the generic Special Weapons and Tactics team.
Basic Behavior
- After the suspect is killed or arrested, the NOOSE Tactical Response Unit officers will remain in the combat area for at least five minutes. This is the same as in reality, as SWAT officers and other law enforcement officers are trained to remain at crime scenes in case there is another potentially dangerous suspect.
- NOOSE TRU officers are well protected with body armour and do not lose health very quickly. Even if they wear helmets, a single headshot will instantly kill them like all pedestrians, however. It is the same thing with the FIB agents, but unlike TRU officers, they do not wear helmets. However, it is notable that the pilots of the Police Mavericks used by NOOSE in shootouts sometimes do not wear helmets.
- In Grand Theft Auto V, TRU officers are especially vulnerable on their legs, as any gunshot to the legs will result in them dying, either instantly or via blood loss, similarly to LSPD officers and LSSD deputies.
- TRU officers always use good cover (behind cars, behind walls, etc.)
- TRU officers will also hide in unseen places to attack the suspect when they are off guard.
- TRU officers always move together as a unit and pursue the player more aggressively than LCPD officers on foot.
- TRU officers are usually in a crouched position, making it harder to get a headshot.
- Like FIB agents, Tactical Response Unit officers will disappear off camera when the player has no wanted level.
- When firing their weapons, NOOSE Tactical Response Unit officers always scream or show anger until they stop firing.
- TRU officers can drag the player out of their escape vehicle, exposing them to law enforcement.
- Like the LCPD and the FIB, NOOSE officers in GTA IV can make use of civilian vehicles when there are no available police cars. Similarly, they may get inside other police cars driven by an officer from the aforementioned agencies.
Employees and Associates
- Jeff † - Officer seen escorting a convoy. Killed in an ambush.
Equipment
Vehicles
Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City
| Image | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|
 An Enforcer in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Enforcer | The main pursuit vehicle of the TRU during normal gameplay, appearing from a four-star wanted level onwards. |
 A Police Maverick in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Police Maverick | It only appears with TRU occupants during a four-star wanted level if they are pursuing the player. |
 An Annihilator in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Annihilator | The main pursuit helicopter, which starts appearing from a five-star wanted level onwards, replacing the Police Maverick. |
| Utilized by the TRU only during missions | ||
 A Police Patrol in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Police Patrol | Only used in Corner Kids. |
 A NOOSE Cruiser in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
NOOSE Cruiser | Only used in Three Leaf Clover. |
 A Police Stockade in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Police Stockade | Only in Tunnel of Death and Three Leaf Clover; used by TRU in missions and used for inmate transport. |
 A Prison Bus in The Lost and Damned. |
Prison Bus | The Lost and Damned exclusive. Only used by TRU in the multiplayer mode Witness Protection. |
 An APC in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
APC | The Ballad of Gay Tony exclusive. Only used by TRU in Frosting on the Cake. |
Cut Vehicles from Grand Theft Auto IV
| Image | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The NOOSE Boxville in a beta version of Grand Theft Auto IV. |
NOOSE Boxville | The van was originally used by TRU with a livery, emergency lights, and a siren. However, it was replaced by the Enforcer. |
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
| Image | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The NOOSE Enforcer in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. |
NOOSE Enforcer | The main pursuit vehicle of the TRU during normal gameplay, appearing from a three-star wanted level onwards. |
| Utilized by the TRU only during missions | ||
 The Rhino in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. |
Rhino | Only used in Deadly Xin. |
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
| Image | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The FIB in Grand Theft Auto V. |
FIB | The main pursuit vehicle of the TRU during normal gameplay, appearing from a four-star wanted level onwards. It only appears in Los Santos. |
 The Sheriff SUV in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Sheriff SUV | The main pursuit vehicle of the TRU during normal gameplay, appearing from a four-star wanted level onwards. It only appears in Blaine County. |
 The Buzzard in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Buzzard | It can be seen patrolling around Davis and Strawberry in Los Santos late at night during normal gameplay. |
 The Buzzard Attack Chopper in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Buzzard Attack Chopper | Not flown, but can be found on one of the helipads at the NOOSE Headquarters. |
 The Police Maverick in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Police Maverick | The main pursuit helicopter, which starts appearing from a three-star wanted level onwards. |
| Utilized by the TRU only during missions | ||
 The Sheriff Cruiser in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Sheriff Cruiser | Only used in The Paleto Score. |
 The Police Cruiser in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Police Cruiser | Not driven, but seen parked at the NOOSE Headquarters parking area during Setup: Server Farm. |
 The Police Transporter in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Police Transporter | Only used during Cop Raid. |
 The Police Riot in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Police Riot | Only used during certain missions by the LSPD to create roadblocks. |
 The Annihilator in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Annihilator | Only used in Project 4808F: Pillbox and Project 4808E: Arena. |
Cut Vehicles from Grand Theft Auto V
| Image | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The Park Ranger in Grand Theft Auto V. |
Park Ranger | The Park Ranger was originally used by the TRU in Blaine County. However, it was replaced by the Sheriff SUV.[1] |
Weapons
Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City
| Image | Weapon | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The Body Armor in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Body Armor | |
 The Pistol in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Pistol | |
 The Pump Action Shotgun in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Pump Action Shotgun | |
 The Combat Shotgun in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Combat Shotgun | |
 The Automatic Shotgun in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
Automatic Shotgun | Only used in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
 The SMG in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
SMG | |
 The Assault SMG in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
Assault SMG | Only used in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
 The Carbine Rifle in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
Carbine Rifle | |
 The Advanced MG in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
Advanced MG | Only used in The Ballad of Gay Tony. |
| Utilized by the TRU only during missions | ||
 The RPG in Grand Theft Auto IV. |
RPG | Only used during Corner Kids. |
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
| Image | Weapon | Description |
|---|---|---|
 The Micro SMG in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. |
Micro SMG |
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay
Grand Theft Auto IV
The Lost and Damned
The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Prison Break
- The Pacific Standard Job (if the hostages are killed)
- Business Raid: Cop Raid
- Heist Prep: Keycards
- Setup: Server Farm
- Heist Prep: Hacking Device (NOOSE HQ mission variant)
- The Diamond Casino Heist Finale
- Heist Prep: Longfin
- The Agency Deal
- The Union Depository Contract
Gallery
Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City
.jpg "NOOSE units (GTA4).jpg (182 KB)")
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
Trivia
Grand Theft Auto IV
- If the player throws a grenade under or near a NOOSE Enforcer, it will not even try to move away from that area as normal police cars would.
- The NOOSE TRU pedestrian (
m_y_swat) is set to use themove@swatanimation set, during which they move around in a crouched position. However, NOOSE helicopter pilots (m_y_nhelipilot) do not use this set. - A NOOSE poster can be seen around Liberty City, depicting a Hispanic pedestrian, apparently a NOOSE officer, wearing a shirt bearing the NOOSE logo with a pistol in his pants. His face bears a strong resemblance to the Hispanic NOOSE TRU officer.
- Blowing up a NOOSE-piloted Annihilator doesn't always seem to kill the occupants if it is set aflame from gunfire. The officers will often fall out and seemingly to their doom, but it is quite common to see them falling from the sky and landing on the ground, alive. This can end up with the door gunners firing at the player from rooftops that they would otherwise never be on.
- In multiplayer modes, even after five-star wanted levels, NOOSE TRU officers will always spawn in place of FIB agents, making the latter unique to story mode.
- Originally, NOOSE TRU officers could rappel down from choppers as they would later in Grand Theft Auto V. The animation is briefly seen in a cutscene in The Snow Storm, as seen here.
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
- NOOSE TRUs drive more aggressively than the LSPD or the LSSD, more actively ramming into the player's vehicle. This will often result in car crashes, or the two officers hanging on the side getting knocked off the vehicle.
- In the enhanced version, the NOOSE TRU officers' helmet design is changed. The goggles, which are no longer worn, are now on the helmet.
- In the enhanced version, NOOSE TRU officers' helmets are considered props, which can be knocked off. As a side effect of this change, NOOSE TRU appearing in missions often do not have helmets.
- TRU officers will sometimes counter a melee attack, knocking over the attacker and shooting them while they are down.
- Outside of missions, TRU officers do not have any visible markings identifying them as being NOOSE TRU personnel, such as patches or lettering, unlike their counterparts in Grand Theft Auto IV. They merely have the word "POLICE" printed on their vests. The player must rely on dialogue for distinctions.
- With this in mind, TRU officers do not drive vehicles with NOOSE liveries. They use Police Mavericks to deploy in the air and Sheriff SUVs/FIB Grangers on the ground. This gives them an appearance much more akin to local SWAT teams rather then a tactical federal intervention service.
- Furthermore, despite NOOSE markings being visible on the Police Riot, the vehicle is not used by TRU officers outside of missions. Rather, the LSPD will use the vehicle to erect roadblocks at four-star wanted levels.
- The uniforms used by the crew during the Casino Heist as their disguises have "N.O.O.S.E." stamped on the back and chest, instead of "POLICE".
- The FIB tactical team agents seen in the mission The Wrap Up are essentially reskinned NOOSE TRU officers. In fact, killing them count towards the "number of NOOSE agents killed" in the statistics.
See Also
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) - Grand Theft Auto 2 and 3D Universe equivalent.
- Special Weapons and Tactics (2D Universe) – Grand Theft Auto 2 rendition.
- Special Weapons and Tactics (3D Universe) – 3D Universe rendition.
