BOPE

From Worldatplay

Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais Special Police Operations Battalion
Active:	1991–present
Headed by:	Colonel Pinheiro Neto
Type:	Special forces
Role:	Urban warfare Law enforcement Counter-terrorism
Garrison/HQ:	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nickname:	BOPE

BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais, or Special Police Operations Battalion), is the elite group of the military police of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BOPE units have extensive experience in urban warfare as well as progression in confined and restricted environments. It also utilizes equipment deemed more powerful than traditional civilian law enforcement, such as weapons chambered in .50 BMG.

The force has a fleet of armored vehicles, which are known as “Pacificador” (Peacemaker), or “Caveirão" (Big Skull). These vehicles are equipped with heavy armament: firing ports for the FN FAL or H&K G36 rifle, and .50 caliber machine guns in the back and front.

BOPE missions include the following: Extracting police officers or civilians injured in confrontations; serving high-risk arrest warrants; rescuing hostages; suppressing prison rebellions; and special missions in swamps or mountainous terrain.