special unit
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special unit
A specially trained and equipped group within the police, military, or other organizations that is responsible for difficult and dangerous operations.
Bei der Geiselnahme wurde eine Spezialeinheit der Polizei eingesetzt.
A police special unit was deployed during the hostage-taking.
The word is a clear compound of 'Spezial-' (relating to a special kind) and 'Einheit' (unit, group). So it literally refers to a 'special group'.
Für diesen gefährlichen Einsatz wurde eine Spezialeinheit angefordert.
A special unit was requested for this dangerous operation.
Common verbs used with 'Spezialeinheit' (special unit) are 'einsetzen' (to deploy), 'alarmieren' (to alert), or 'anfordern' (to request). These describe the activation of the unit.
Die Regierung beschloss, eine militärische Spezialeinheit einzusetzen.
The government decided to deploy a military special unit.
To say which organization the unit belongs to, you usually use the genitive ('der Polizei' — of the police) or the preposition 'von' ('von der Polizei' — from/of the police). The genitive is more common in written language.
Eine Spezialeinheit der Küstenwache sicherte das Gebiet.
A coast guard special unit secured the area.
command / commando
'das Kommando' and 'die Spezialeinheit' can both refer to a specially trained group in the police or military. 'die Spezialeinheit' is the clear and general term for this: a group for difficult or dangerous operations. 'das Kommando' can also mean this kind of special unit, but it sounds more military or like a specific task force. The words can be confused because they occur in similar situations. If you are speaking neutrally about such a group, 'Spezialeinheit' is usually more precise. 'Kommando' fits better when the military tone or the operational character is in the foreground.
Die Spezialeinheit trainiert regelmäßig für gefährliche Einsätze.
The special unit trains regularly for dangerous operations.
Ein Kommando betrat das Gebäude, um die Geiseln zu befreien.
A commando unit entered the building to free the hostages.