The Rapid Response Unit (URNA) (Czech: Útvar rychlého nasazení) is a police tactical unit of the Police of the Czech Republic (Czech: Policie České republiky).[2] It is under command of the Ministry of the Interior.

Útvar rychlého nasazení
Active1981–present
CountryCzech Republic
AgencyPolicie České republiky
TypePolice tactical unit
RoleCounter-terrorism
Law enforcement
Operations jurisdictionNational
MottoS rozumem a odvahou
With Reason and Courage
AbbreviationURNA
Structure
OfficersApprox. 100[1]

History

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In 1981, the Útvar zvláštního určení (ÚZU) (Special purpose unit) was established in 1981 as part of the Sbor národní bezpečnosti (SNB) (English: National Security Corps) with its members recruited from airborne units and issued with red berets.[2][1] In 1985, the unit was renamed Odbor zvláštního určení (OZU).[1] 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.[2][1] In 1992, the unit was renamed the Rapid response unit and in 1993 it members were issued red berets.[1]

The unit conducts about 40 operations a year and has served internationally including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan providing protection to Czech embassies.[1][3][4] 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

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The Rapid response unit is divided into three sections:[5]

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

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Members of the Czech Police with at least three years of service (or an academic degree) can join the URNA.[6] 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.[2]

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

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Former equipment

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Was updated after some time with FAB Defense parts such as telescopic stock and handguard with MIL-STD rails. Later on the Vz. 58 was replaced by H&K G36K

  • SVD Dragunov
  • SIG SSG-3000 Used to be a standard sniper rifle, was replaced by SAKO TRG 22 and TRG 42 due to SSG-3000 production ended.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "S rozumem a odvahou: 35 let existence Útvaru rychlého nasazení Policie ČR" [With reason and courage: 35 years of existence of the Rapid Deployment Unit of the Police of the Czech Republic]. Válka REVUE (in Czech). 17 May 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Policie České republiky - Útvar rychlého nasazení" [Police of the Czech Republic - Rapid Deployment Unit]. Police of the Czech Republic (in Czech). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Kajínka jsme mohli zastřelit, bojoval do poslední chvíle, říká šéf URNA" [We could have shot Kajínek, he fought until the last moment, says the head of URNA]. iDNES.cz (in Czech). 3 November 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Vysílání příslušníků PČR do zahraničí: příležitost nebo problém?" [Sending members of the Police abroad: an opportunity or a problem?]. Police of the Czech Republic (in Czech). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Struktura, výcvik a příprava" [Structure, training and preparation]. Police of the Czech Republic (in Czech). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Výběr uchazečů o službu v Útvaru rychlého nasazení" [Selection of applicants for the service in the Rapid Deployment Unit]. Police of the Czech Republic (in Czech). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. ^ http://www.policejninoviny.cz/domains/0001/userfiles/images/policejni-noviny-specialni-jednotky-gign-zj-krp.jpg [bare URL image file]