The Grupo de Operaciones Policiales Especiales (GOPE) ( en, Special Police Operations Group) is the police tactical unit of

Carabineros de Chile ( en, Carabiniers of Chile) are the Chilean national law enforcement police, who have jurisdiction over the entire national territory of the Republic of Chile. Created in 1927, their mission is to maintain order and enforce the laws of Chile. T ...

which carries out high-risk police operations throughout the country, including

bomb disposal Bomb disposal is an explosives engineering profession using the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. ''Bomb disposal'' is an all-encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the milita ...

, location and tracking of bombs and explosives, rescuing people or bodies from places of difficult access, anti-crime raids, and clashes. GOPE is a special force of military uniformed police, as stipulated in the Constitutional Act of Carabineros.

History

GOPE was created on 7 June 1979 with the aim of acting as a complementary force to police troops across the country, and respond to the various situations that occurred in the country during that time period. Its trajectory demonstrates the professionalism of its crew, made up of highly trained policemen to counter the most dangerous criminal activities. Its tasks are supported by the Special Action Patrols (''PAES''), which perform tasks of shelter and protection of citizens.

Jurisdiction

The Special Police Operations Group has jurisdiction over the entire Chilean national territory, including the Insular Area and the Chilean Antarctic Territory. This is to ensure national security and not only state or regional.

Vehicles

GOPE vehicles are mostly used for transporting equipment for the work of the EOD section.

Fields of operation

Their operations can be classified into four different groups:

Counter - terrorism

* Hostage release * Entre and search

Counter - bombing

* Deactivation of explosives * Counter bomb search * Post detonation investigation

Human rescue

* Saturated or contaminated environments * Rescue and salvage in aquatic environments * Rescue and salvage in highlands

Protection of Person of Interest

* Direct security * Altitude security (rooftop shooter) * Reaction security * Search of hotels and installations * Search of vehicles

References

{{Reflist

External links

Carabineros official page
Law enforcement in Chile Organizations established in 1979 Police tactical units Articles containing video clips