It took seven years for RTL journalist Dan Wiroth to receive the green light to interview and film the training operations of Luxembourg's Special Police Unit, the USP. Now the documentary has finally happened.
"The first time I requested filming was following Charlie Hebdo (terror attacks in Paris, ed. note) in 2015. I saw all these documentaries about special forces in other countries, so I thought: Why not here in Luxembourg? It's a public service funded by taxpayers, so we have the right to see what they do and how they function," says Dan.
"The aim is also to bring a sense of calmth to viewers. They are very well prepared, should there be an attack. I believe they are just as prepared as any other unit abroad."
Over the next three weeks, RTL presents a mini-series on the commando that responds to terror attacks and conducts high-risk missions.
It is unclear how many people are in the special unit. All individuals have code names.
What are the roles of negotiators? How do snipers go about their work? These are some of the focus questions of the documentary in the next two parts.
In the first episode, Wiroth met with commander Christian Krettels and observed a training mission, in which the special unit responded to a fictional active shooter in the Upper City.
The first part will be published at 7pm on Tuesday, 20 February with English voice over.
Video teaser in Luxembourgish:
