The SO19, Central Operations Specialist Firearms Command, (now known as CO19) is a special police force based in the United Kingdom. They are basically police officer's equipped with body armour and machine guns who are called during an emergency situation, usually involving suspects who are armed. In America, SO19 is the equivalent of S.W.A.T.
The Getaway[]
In The Getaway, SO19 units are seen in the Snow Hill Police Station. They have body armour and hold MP5's, this is the only apperance of them in Hammond's story.
Compared to Regular Police, SO19 have more health and a unique "Professional" Animation set.
Frank Carter works for them by responding to their emergency calls in the missions: Disturbance in Soho and Painting the Town Red. They also assist Frank in the missions: The Bargain Basement and Show some Remorse. Despite this, they seem to dislike Frank and tell him to get out of the way and leave it to the experts. Frank laughs at them saying if he left it to the 'experts' then they would all be dead. They also attempt to kill Mark Hammond when he attacks Snow Hill during the mission: Filthy Business, when he kills Clive McCormack. Other than the missions listed, they do not appear any other time.
The Getaway: Black Monday[]
In The Getaway: Black Monday, Inspector Munroe is the head of an SO19 Unit based in a new police station in London. Other members of the unit include:
- Ben Mitchell - The newly transferred and aggressive sergeant.
- Paul Evans - An armed member of the squad.
- Jack Harvey - An armed member of the squad.
- Stoppard - An armed member of the squad.
- Finch - The surveillance specialist.
After Munroe is killed, it is likely that Mitch would have taken over the unit if he survives the outcome of the game. If Mitch dies, then Evans would have most likely become the new head of the unit.
There seems to be two in-game SO19 Teams, a "Red Team" composed of Mitchell and other named members with a red arm patch and a "Blue Team" consisting of generic Helmet and Balacalva members, beta screenshots/footage show Mitchell and other Red Team Members wearing Helmets originally.
Gameplay-wise, Blue Team SO19 can now spawn in randomly either as part of Roadblocks or in SO19 Police Vehicles to pursure Eddie or Sam, they still have their own animation set but it is shared with Mitchell, they wil drop both a Glock and an MP5 when killed, in addition they will not drop their weapons when knocked down unlike most enemies.
This means the MP5 is much more common in Black Monday compared to the original game but the player now has to be aware of SO19 during free-roam or travelling between locations.
Quotes (Generic Blue Team members)[]
- "No more chances, Sir!" - Mission Failure warning dialogue if Mitchell kills an SO19 member.
- "You can't behave like this!" - Mission Failure warning dialogue if Mitchell kills an SO19 member.
- Mitch, what are you doing?" - Mission Failure warning dialogue if Mitchell kills an Civilian.