Rapid Response Unit
{{more citations needed|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name = Útvar rychlého nasazení
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| image = Insigne Útvar rychlého nasazení (URNA).svg
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| dates = 1981–present
| country = Czech Republic
| agency = Policie České republiky
| type = Police tactical unit
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| ops_juris = National
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| motto = S rozumem a odvahou
| motto_translated = With Reason and Courage
| common_name =
| abbreviation = URNA
| sworn_type_label = Officers
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The Rapid Response Unit (URNA) ({{langx|cs|Útvar rychlého nasazení}}) is the only tier one police tactical unit of the Police of the Czech Republic ({{langx|cs|Policie České republiky}}) 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.{{cite web |title=Policie České republiky - Útvar rychlého nasazení |url=https://www.policie.cz/clanek/utvar-rychleho-nasazeni-policie-ceske-republiky-utvar-rychleho-nasazeni.aspx |website=Police of the Czech Republic |accessdate=2 August 2020 |language=Czech|trans-title=Police of the Czech Republic - Rapid Deployment Unit}} 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) ({{langx|en|National Security Corps}}) with its members recruited from airborne units and issued with red berets.{{cite magazine |title=S rozumem a odvahou: 35 let existence Útvaru rychlého nasazení Policie ČR |url=https://www.stoplusjednicka.cz/utvar-rychleho-nasazeni-policie-cr-s-rozumem-odvahou |magazine=Válka REVUE |accessdate=2 August 2020 |language=Czech|trans-title=With reason and courage: 35 years of existence of the Rapid Deployment Unit of the Police of the Czech Republic |date=17 May 2016}} 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.{{cite news |title=Kajínka jsme mohli zastřelit, bojoval do poslední chvíle, říká šéf URNA |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/libor-lochman-urna-kajinek.A171102_213502_domaci_jj |accessdate=2 August 2020 |work=iDNES.cz |date=3 November 2017 |language=Czech|trans-title=We could have shot Kajínek, he fought until the last moment, says the head of URNA}}{{cite web |title=Vysílání příslušníků PČR do zahraničí: příležitost nebo problém? |url=https://www.policista.cz/clanky/reportaz/vysilani-prislusniku-pcr-do-zahranici-prilezitost-nebo-problem-1045/ |website=Police of the Czech Republic |accessdate=2 August 2020 |language=Czech|trans-title=Sending members of the Police abroad: an opportunity or a problem?}} 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:{{cite web |title=Struktura, výcvik a příprava |url=https://www.policie.cz/clanek/struktura-vycvik-a-priprava.aspx |website=Police of the Czech Republic |accessdate=2 August 2020 |language=Czech|trans-title=Structure, training and preparation}}
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.{{cite web |title=Výběr uchazečů o službu v Útvaru rychlého nasazení |url=https://www.policie.cz/clanek/vyber-uchazecu-o-sluzbu-v-utvaru-rychleho-nasazeni.aspx |website=Police of the Czech Republic |accessdate=2 August 2020 |language=Czech|trans-title=Selection of applicants for the service in the Rapid Deployment Unit}} 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
| class="wikitable"
!Model !Type !Origin !Notes !Status |
| Beretta 92FS
| rowspan="5" |Semi-automatic pistol |{{Flag|Italy}} |Complemented the CZ 75B | rowspan="3" |Retired |
| CZ 75B
|{{Flag|Czech Republic}} |Replaced by Glock |
| Walther P99
|{{Flag|Germany}} |Small amount was bought alongside the Glock 17 |
| Glock 17
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Austria}} |Standard issue | rowspan="2" |Current |
| Glock 26
|Concealed carry |
| Heckler & Koch MP5
| rowspan="2" |Submachine gun | rowspan="3" |{{Flag|Germany}} |A5, K-PDW, SD6 variants used |Retired |
| Heckler & Koch MP7
|Replacing / heavily complementing the MP5 |Current |
| Heckler & Koch G36K
| rowspan="3" |Assault rifle |Currently being replaced by HK 416 | rowspan="2" |Retired |
| SA vz. 58
|{{Flag|Czechoslovakia}} |Former standard-issue rifle for foreign missions; updated after some time with FAB Defense parts such as telescopic stock and handguard with MIL-STD rails; replaced by the G36K |
| Heckler & Koch HK416A5
|{{Flag|Germany}} |Current |
| Benelli M3-T
|{{Flag|Italy}} |Used for door breaching |Retired |
| Heckler & Koch HK417
| rowspan="5" |Sniper rifle |{{Flag|Germany}} |Used as a sniper support rifle and support from a helicopter | rowspan="3" |Current |
| Sako TRG
|{{Flag|Finland}} |Was replaced by AI AXMC within URNA but is still used by Czech regional SWAT units |
| Accuracy International AXMC
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}} | |
| SVD Dragunov
|{{Flag|Soviet Union}} | | rowspan="2" |Retired |
| SIG SSG-3000
|{{Flag|Austria}} |Former standard sniper rifle, replaced by SAKO TRG |
| FN Minimi
|{{Flag|Belgium}} |Bought in small number for foreign operation | rowspan="2" |Current |
| Heckler & Koch HK69A1
|{{Flag|Germany}} |Mostly used for training with various types of ammo |