Colombian National Police Special Operations Command
Encyclopedia
Colombian National Police
The National Police of Colombia is the national police force of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military of Colombia , it constitutes along with them the "Public Force" and is also controlled by the Ministry of Defense. They are the largest police force in Colombia...
under the Operative Directorate. This Special Operations unit functions as a Quick reaction force
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
(QRF) for Police operations and as a permanent training field for personnel.
History
Founded in 1984 with the main purpose of having a highly trained, capable and equipped group for quick reaction to high risk or crisis situations. Officers in the grade of lieutenants and captains in the Colombian National Police were selected to receive training in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.http://www.policia.gov.co/inicio/portal/unidades/dirop.nsf/paginas/ResenaHistoricaCOPES Its first operation was in 1986 during the Palace of Justice siege
Palace of Justice siege
The Palace of Justice siege was a 1985 attack against the Supreme Court of Colombia, in which members of the M-19 guerrilla group took over the Palace of Justice in Bogotá, Colombia, and held the Supreme Court hostage, intending to hold a trial against President Belisario Betancur...
, taken over by the M-19
19th of April Movement
The 19th of April Movement or M-19, was a Colombian guerrilla movement. After its demobilization it became a political party, the M-19 Democratic Alliance , or AD/M-19.The M-19 traced its origins to the allegedly fraudulent presidential elections of 19 April 1970...
guerrilla. The Urban Interdiction Group (Grupo de Interdiccion Urbano) was heavily trained in urban assault techniques. This unit also became part of operations involving the War on Drugs
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
against the Colombian drug cartels like the Medellín Cartel
Medellín Cartel
The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of "drug suppliers and smugglers" originating in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The drug cartel operated in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Central America, the United States, as well as Canada and Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was founded and...
between 1989 and 1994 and the Cali Cartel
Cali Cartel
The Cali Cartel was a drug cartel based in southern Colombia, around the city of Cali and the Valle del Cauca Department. The Cali Cartel was founded by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto and Miguel, as well as associate José Santacruz Londoño...
between 1996 and 1999 with very positive outcomes.http://www.policia.gov.co/inicio/portal/unidades/dirop.nsf/paginas/ResenaHistoricaCOPES The Special Operations Command constantly improves techniques and equipment in order to maintain an advantage over possible criminal actions against civilians and infrastructure.http://www.policia.gov.co/inicio/portal/unidades/dirop.nsf/paginas/ResenaHistoricaCOPES
Functions
- Support Police Units needs that imply high risks tasks.
- Instruct special operations classes to different Police units, Military units or any other international or national organization requiring it.
- Serve as an advising organization to the Operative Directorate of the Colombian National Police on issues regarding insurgency and organized crime. It also advises the Administrative Directorate of the Colombian National Police on Armament and Equipment.
Organization
