Útvar rychlého nasazení

In 1981, the Útvar zvláštního určení (ÚZU) 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) 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.

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.

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.

• Glock 17 pistol
• CZ 75 pistol
• CZ P-07 [7]
• SIG Sauer pistol variants
• Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun replacing/heavily complementing the MP5 submachine gun.
• Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, in various versions/configurations.
• CZ Scorpion Evo 3 submachine gun
• Heckler & Koch G36 & Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifles in various versions/configurations.[8]
• CZ 805 BREN assault rifle
• Heckler & Koch HK417 Sniper Rifle variant of the main Battle Rifle.
• Accuracy International AWF Sniper Rifle.
• SIG-Sauer SSG 3000 sniper rifle
• Benelli M3 shotgun
• Nomex gloves