Security/ Stability/ Reforms
Combating Corruption and Crime

Police of the Czech Republic – Rapid Response Unit

Protection of the public against all forms of organized crime, including terrorism, has been a priority of the Czech Republic and other developed democratic countries. To improve the capacity of the Czech police, there is a need for continuous improvement of intervention techniques by using state of the art technology. One of the instruments that would substantially improve the situation in the Czech Republic combating terrorism and organised crime is increasing the level of professionalism and combat readiness of the Rapid Response Unit of the Czech Police specialising in interventions against kidnappers of persons and hijackers of transport means, dangerous perpetrators of organised crime and perpetrators of serious wilful crimes. Switzerland has an interest in the raise of the number of successful investigations, detection and prosecution of organized crimes, terrorism and drug trafficking as well as the protection of State interests by the Police of the Czech Republic.

The overall goal of the project is increasing the capability and capacity of the Czech Republic to counter organised crime and terrorism. The project aims to increase the professionalism and the readiness of special police units of the Czech Republic by improving the technical conditions for training of the rapid response unit, by enhancing its training programmes and by improving the equipment used for rapid response interventions.

The first part of the project focuses on construction of the training facility, the safety baffle system and the procurement of equipment (mobile targets, vehicle mounted lifting platform). The staff will be trained to use the equipment. The second part of the project entails cooperation activities with the Swiss project partner including joint cooperative training exercises for Czech, EU and Swiss policemen. The last part of the projects entails the development of the Rapid Response interventions guidelines and its publication.

The expected results are:

• Training facility with an extended facility ready to deliver dedicated trainings in place;
• Mobile targets and safety baffle system installed;
• Hydraulic equipment and vehicles with mounted lifting platform acquired and 6 Czech policemen trained in the operation of the vehicles;
• 5 Czech policemen have acquired foreign experience and established working contracts;
• Joint cooperative training for 45 Czech, EU and Swiss policemen held;
• Guideline for the Rapid Response Unit interventions published (50 pcs).