Public Security Service (Lithuania)

{{Infobox law enforcement agency

| agencyname = Public Security Service

| nativename = {{lang|lt|Viešojo saugumo tarnyba}}

| abbreviation = VST

| logo = VSTbigLT.png

| logocaption =

| formedyear = {{Start date and age|1991|10|18|df=yes}}

| country = Lithuania

| governingbody = Ministry of the Interior

| overviewtype =

| overviewbody =

| headquarters = M. K. Paco str. 4, 10309 Vilnius

| website = {{URL|https://vstarnyba.lrv.lt/en}}

| constitution1 = Law on the Public Security Service 2006

}}

The Public Security Service or VST ({{langx|lt|Viešojo saugumo tarnyba}}) is a Lithuanian law enforcement agency under the Ministry of the Interior. It is primarily involved in restoring the public order and serving as the main riot police force equipped for riot control as well as critical infrastructure protection.{{cite web|title=Lithuania - Public Security Service|url=https://polis.osce.org/country-profiles/lithuania#public-security-service-11428|website=OECD|access-date=15 August 2021}}{{cite web|title=Law on the Public Security Service|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.287037|date=19 September 2006|access-date=15 August 2021|website=Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania}}

VST is a partner of the European Gendarmerie Force.{{cite web|url=https://eurogendfor.org/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba-partner-member/|title=Viešojo Saugumo Tarnyba – Partner Member|date=24 January 2019 |access-date=11 August 2021|publisher=European Gendarmerie Force}} Similarly to gendarmeries in other states, VST is a paramilitary organization which has greater combat capability than the regular police. During the state of war, VST becomes directly subordinate to the Lithuanian Armed Forces.{{cite web|title=Viešojo saugumo tarnyba|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba/|website=Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia|access-date=11 August 2021}}

History

File:ORKA_unit_(Public_Safety_Service_of_Lithuania).jpg

The origins of the special purpose law enforcement can be traced back to the armed formations of the Lithuanian Tribunal in the 17th century, specifically the Infantry Company of the Lithuanian Tribunal. The modern precursor of the institution was the Brigade of the Local Army ({{langx|lt|links=no|Vietinės kariuomenės brigada}}) established in February 1920, but disbanded a few years later.

The current institution was formed on 18 October 1991 and was known as the Internal Service Unit ({{langx|lt|links=no|Vidaus tarnyba}}) until 2002 when, following its reorganization, it was renamed to the Public Security Service.{{cite web|title=History of Public Security Service|url=https://vstarnyba.lrv.lt/en/about-the-service/history|date=23 January 2019|access-date=11 August 2021|website=Government of the Republic of Lithuania}} The institution is regulated by the Law on the Public Security Service 2006.

Organization

As of 2024, the service consists of the following units:{{cite web|title=Struktūra|url=https://vstarnyba.lrv.lt/lt/struktura-ir-kontaktai/struktura/|website=Viešojo saugumo tarnyba prie LR VRM|date=29 November 2023|access-date=6 April 2024}}

File:Vilnius Public Security Unit insignia.png Vilnius Unit
File:Kaunas Public Security Unit insignia.png Kaunas Unit
File:Klaipeda Public Security Unit insignia.png Klaipėda Unit
File:Visaginas Public Security Unit insignia.png Visaginas Unit
File:Operational response counterattack (ORKA) unit insignia.png Operational Response Counterattack Team (ORKA)
Joint Operations Center
Training and combat training center
Staff Unit

Ranks

;Officers

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"

;Other ranks

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"

Equipment

File:IAG Guardian APC Lithuanian Gendarmerie.jpg used by the VST]]

File:ORKA_unit_exercise_(Public_Safety_Service_of_Lithuania).jpg exercises]]

Some of the VST equipment includes:{{Cite web |title=Išskirtiniai kadrai: kaip šarvuočiai pasaulio lyderius saugo nuo savižudžių sprogdintojų automobilių {{!}} GALERIJA |url=https://www.15min.lt/galerija/isskirtiniai-kadrai-kaip-sarvuociai-pasaulio-lyderius-saugo-nuo-savizudziu-sprogdintoju-automobiliu-326102 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=15min.lt |language=lt}}{{cite web|title=Viešojo saugumo tarnyba ieško 10 vairuotojų specialiam transportui|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1136790/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba-iesko-10-vairuotoju-specialiam-transportui|date=26 January 2020|access-date=11 August 2021|website=LRT}}{{cite web|title=Viešojo saugumo tarnybą pasiekė naujas specialios paskirties šarvuotis|url=https://www.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/salies-pulsas/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba-pasieke-nauji-specialios-paskirties-sarvuociai-899319|date=31 January 2019|access-date=11 August 2021|website=diena.lt}}