Útvar Rychlého Nasazení

The Rapid Response Unit (URNA) (') is the only tier one police tactical unit of the Police of the Czech Republic (') that specialized in air assault and airborne operations, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical special operations, quick response to emergencies with SWAT unit tactics, and VIP protection. It is under command of the Ministry of the Interior.

Mission

The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult to access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism, special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas, support crowd control and riot control, and tactical special operations.

History

In 1981, the Útvar zvláštního určení (ÚZU) (Special purpose unit) was established in 1981 as part of the Sbor národní bezpečnosti (SNB) (') with its members recruited from airborne units and issued with red berets. In 1985, the unit was renamed Odbor zvláštního určení (OZU). After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the unit was renamed Jednotka rychlého zásahu Federální policejní služby (JRZ FPS) (Rapid response unit of Federal police service) and it members issued with green berets. In 1992, the unit was renamed the Rapid response unit and in 1993 it members were issued red berets.

The unit conducts about 40 operations a year and has served internationally including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan providing protection to Czech embassies. Members of the unit have served in the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNIMIK) in Kosovo as part of Special Team Six.

Organization

The Rapid response unit is divided into three sections:

1. Rapid Deployment Section – consists of three intervention groups (Specialists, Pyrotechnists, Training Group).

2. Special Services Section – consists of members with specific specializations such as snipers, signalman, negotiators, drivers.

3. Administrative and Logistics Section – provides organizational, material and staffing, including the secretariat, a lawyer and administrative staff.

Training

Members of the Czech Police with at least three years of service (or an academic degree) can join the URNA. The basis is a special-tactical training, shooting preparation, work at heights and self defense along with airborne and topographical and medical training. URNA practices with foreign units such as 22 SAS, GSG9, GIGN, etc.

Required properties are as follows:

a) Intelligence – Average to above average. The ability to learn. Define and solve problems in stressful environments.

b) Ambition and self-discipline – know your own abilities, work on yourself.

c) Flexibility and adaptability – unconventional thinking, inventiveness, ability to improvise.

d) Maturity – it is intended behavior devoid of impulsiveness, naivety, exaggeration, internal discipline.

e) Psychosomatic stability – related to emotional stability. The candidate should not be subject to psychosomatic problems.

f) Emotional stability – patience, the ability to withstand criticism.

g) Emotional mood – optimism, sense of humor, without sudden fluctuations.

h) Social adaptability – friendly and open meeting, respect to authority, adopt rules of group.

i) Aggression and courage – to show targeted and controllable aggression. Courage with self-preservation, no stunt.

j) High frustration tolerance – the ability to remain operational and focused on meeting targets during break, waiting and disturbing influences.

k) Sense of justice, honesty, conscientiousness and positive motivation to work.

Equipment

*Nomex gloves
*P1 Flashbang
**After explosion, 14 small explosives come out to all directions and each one of them provides flash and loud bang
*Rheinmetall Nico Flashbangs

References

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ATLAS Network
Government agencies established in 1981
Law enforcement in the Czech Republic
Law enforcement in Czechoslovakia
Non-military counterterrorist organizations
Police tactical units
1981 establishments in Czechoslovakia