This KPS special police unit was created in 2003. The start was a standard SWAT unit (two teams of 15 officers each) trained by two American contractors. In March 2005 the "Special Intervention Group – GSI / SIG" project ("Grupi Special i Intervenimit GSI" in Albanian) was launched on a low-profile bases as the Elite "CT" & "HR" force of Kosovo Police. A strict selection policy was followed through several firm tests; and only 18 trainees were selected among hundreds of willing volunteer officers to be the first generation of the unit.