Gendarmerie (Republika Srpska)

Every member of the Gendarmerie has an assault or automatic rifle (one of them is Taurus ART556) and new handgun. Beside "standard" weapon unit has sniper rifles, chemical weapon and four BOVs given by Special Anti-Terrorist Unit. [4] The Gendarmerie is under control of the Police Administration and the unit has unique command in Ministry of Interior - it has commander, deputy commander and commander assistants. Unit is formed in Administration of the Police. Gendarmerie has 12 units located in every police administration (except of the Police administration Istočno Sarajevo which has two because of geographical characteristics) and in Administration of the Police. Under the control of Gendarmerie Command there are two parts of the unit: Gendarmerie Unit in the Seat of the Ministry and Gendarmerie units on terrain. [5]

The Gendarmerie helps other police units and commands units when two or more Gendarmerie units are in the territory of one police administration. It helps with peace and order at public events and it supports general police units in high risk missions. Also Gendarmerie makes blockades and watches terrain to identify criminals and victims if it is necessary. In general, Gendarmerie is special trained and equipped unit for special missions. [5] Unit inherited all duties of previous support units and expanded its duties to the duties similar to Gendarmerie of Serbia. By definition it provides help to the all operative police administrations and Special Anti-Terrorist Unit. [6]

The Gendarmerie Cavalry unit is a horse-mounted unit. It secures high-risk public meetings, restores order when it is disrupted, assists in complex missions, blockades and raids, helps other police units in emergency situations and does police duties when necessary.[5]

In Training Center there are 12 officers that work with horses taken from stud "Vučjak" near Prnjavor. Because of good cooperation with Police brigade of Police of Serbia Gendarmerie Cavalry Unit provides knowledge and training from already experienced unit and officers. Primarily this unit's duty is to prevent, keep and protect citizens from any disturbance of public peace and order. Unit appeared first time on 2018 Republic Day parade and it was systematized as unit of the Ministry on 2017. Commandeer of the unit is Vinko Brborović. [6]

Support Unit during Republic Day parade in Banja Luka 2019

Before September 2019 the Gendarmerie was known as Support Unit (Serbian: Јединица за подршку, Jedinica za podršku, short ЈЗП/JZP) and was the anti-riot unit of Police of Republika Srpska.[7]

The duties of the unit are the protection of public order in high-risk situations, protection of citizens, liberation of hostages, counter-terrorism, supporting ordinary police units during police actions and protection of citizens during weather disasters.[8]

Equipment was divided into two main categories: protection equipment and armament. Protection equipment includes class A3 ballistic helmets, protection vests and tactical vests. Armaments are based on the Taurus 9mm rifle and Glock-17 pistol.[9][10]

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  Uniform right arm patch of the Support Unit

The main reasons cited for the transformation into gendarmerie were problems with establishing police reserve units, local problems and problems with illegal migrants.[11] The gendarmerie is formed of former members of the Support Unit and new police officers who were cadets and graduated from the Police Academy in Banja Luka.[12]

• Police of Republika Srpska
• Ministry of Interior (Republika Srpska)