Colombian National Police Special Operations Command (, COPES) is a subdivision of the

Colombian National Police The National Police of Colombia () is the national police force of the Republic of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military Forces of Colombia (Army, Navy, and Aerospace Force), it constitutes along with them the " ...

under the Directorate for Citizens Security. This Special Operations unit functions as a

Quick reaction force A rapid reaction force / rapid response force (RRF), quick reaction force / quick response force (QRF), immediate reaction force (IRF), rapid deployment force (RDF), or quick maneuver force (QMF) is a military or Law enforcement agency, law enf ...

(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

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

and the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. Its first operation was in 1986 during the

Palace of Justice siege The Palace of Justice siege was a 1985 attack on the Supreme Court of Colombia, in which members of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group took over the Palace of Justice in Bogotá and held the Supreme Court hostage, intending to hold a trial agai ...

, taken over by the

M-19 M19, M.19, or M-19 most commonly refers to: * May 19th Communist Organization (M19), an American far-left female-led terrorist group active during the 1970s–1980s * 19th of April Movement (M-19), a former Colombian guerrilla movement and political ...

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 against the Colombian drug cartels like the

Medellín Cartel The Medellín Cartel () was a powerful and highly organized Colombian drug cartel and terrorist organization originating in the city of Medellín, Colombia, that was founded and led by Pablo Escobar. It is often considered to be the first major ...

between 1989 and 1994 and the Cali Cartel between 1996 and 1999 with very positive outcomes. The Special Operations Command constantly improves techniques and equipment in order to maintain an advantage over possible criminal actions against civilians and infrastructure.

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

References

External links

Policia Nacional de Colombia
Colombian National Police Special Operations Command {{Colombia-stub