Unidad Especial de Intervención
Template:Short description Template:Infobox law enforcement agency
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The Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) (Template:Langx) is a police tactical unit of the Spanish Civil Guard that specialized in counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical special operations, quick raid to capture or kill (if necessary) high-value targets, and VIP protection.
The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue, 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.
Overview
UEI was established in 1978 to respond to high risk situations and including those involving hostages and terrorism situations.<ref name=gob/> Its motto is Celeritas et Subtilitas Patrio. The exact scope of UEI operations and total number of personnel are not published. In 2008, on the occasion of the Unit's 30th anniversary, its commanding officer revealed that the UEI had until then participated in 375 operations, in which 563 hostages had been freed and 640 people arrested, of whom 141 belonged to terrorist groups. These operations included 11 high-sea missions against drug-trafficking. He also revealed that due to the demanding selection process, of the 26 applicants that had applied to join the Unit that year, only four had been admitted.<ref name=mundo/> The Unit has also intervened in 18 prison riots involving hostages.<ref name=gob>Template:In lang "La Unidad Especial de Intervención de la Guardia Civil perfecciona las técnicas antiterroristas en ámbito naval" Spain's Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 19 July 2013.</ref> The UEI is part of the European Union-sponsored ATLAS Network.<ref>Template:In lang "La elite de la Guardia Civil se perfecciona en antiterrorismo naval" El Mundo. Retrieved 18 July 2013.</ref>
Equipment
Uniform
In assaults operations:
- Green assault coveralls with the unit's shield on the right sleeve at shoulder height and the Spanish flag on the left sleeve at shoulder height.
- Black balaclava that gives the informal nickname to the unit: black faces.
- Bulletproof vest.
- Tactical vest, dress on the previous one.
- Helmet with ballistic protection visor for urban combat.
- Protection of elbows, knees and shin guards.
- Boots and gloves.
In boarding operations:
- Black coveralls of naval intervention with autoinflatable life jacket. Shield and flag on the sleeves.
- Black balaclava.
- Bulletproof vest.
- Tactical vest.
- Protection of elbows, knees and shin guards.
- ProTec lightweight half-head polyethylene hull.
- Boots and gloves.
In riot control operations:
- Equipment for riot control.
Weapons
These are a few of them:<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Organization
The Unit is commanded by an active lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard and its divided on:<ref>Unidad Especial de Intervención. Guardia Civil. Template:Webarchive</ref>
- Operative Groups
- Technical Support Groups.
See also
References
Template:Law enforcement agencies of Spain Template:Authority control