Fuerzas Unidas de Rapida Accion
Encyclopedia
The United Forces of Fast Action (Fuerzas Unidas de Rapida Acción) or better known as FURA is an agency within the Puerto Rico Police Department in charge of specialized divisions that relate to federal law enforcement agencies of the United States, and coordinate operations between the PRPD and U.S. federal agencies. Its a limited unit, well trained, and well recognized in the police. Collaborate with U.S. federal agencies in charched of law enforcement such as: The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF), United States Marshals Service
(USMS), Department of Homeland Security, among others.
possession of the United States
, the Insular Police
Puerto Rico was established February 1899, during the period for provision of the Military Governor Guy B. Henry. By this time the main ways of transportation on the island were the horses. Therefore, these were used by police to move their staff to
address the grievances of the people and force the security system in place then.
Over the years, the development progress of the island and the
changes in the way of life, the new technology replaces the use of
horses which had rendered a service of great benefit to the
town. By the end of the 1950s at the behest of the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marin
, in response to booming tourist area of San Juan
, became necessary to resort again to the implementation of the horses as an additional tool in preventing crime. This unit composed of one Sergeant, four officers and
four horses purchased locally. In 1960 a sergeant and four PRPD officers were trained at the New York Police Mounted Academy.
In 1963, a new tool came to the PRPD, and that was the helicopter. The PRPD air unit was stationed at Isla Grande Airport, later to be known as Roig Police Air Base. Its fleet consisted of Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
and OH-23 Raven. On January 1, 1971 the Order was drawn up which implements 71-1 Labor Standards and Procedures for the Mounted Unit. This indicated that it offers its services mainly in the coastal area in the prevention and enforcement of laws as established in Puerto Rico. If necessary and required the unit can expand its services to anywhere in the island. In 1979, the Puerto Rico Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) was formed within the Tactical Operations Division of the San Juan area, under the supervision of Sgt. Faustino Mendoza and Commander Jose E. Sanchez Sanchez. The Puerto Rico Police, decided to create this group after the events occurred with Arab athletes at the Olympics in Munich, Germany.
The division as well was created in 1986 under Executive Order 4645-B as the "United Forces of Rapid Action Corps. (FURA) against drug trafficking." It will integrate thenunites of Rescue, Mounted, Divers, SWAT, Aereal Services, Canine and Maritime.
On February 25, 1993, by Executive Order EO-1993-07, was converted into a regular program of programmatic and organizational structure of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Today, FURA works in conjunction with law enforcement agencies of the U.S. government, such as the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), United States Border Patrol
, U.S. Coast Guard, among others.
put the, ounted unit to the turistical areas of Puerto Rico to call the attention of the tourist and provide better protection. Today, the PRPD Mounted unit is used in turistical areas of the San Juan Metropolitan Area like beaches and waterfronts. They are trained to used their horses to stop offenders, and they can use their hose as a method of intimidation in times of police intervention with offenders. There are 3 stations of the Mounted Unit, and if needed by police to patrol an area at festivals or family activities of large concentration of the audience, the unit moved its staff to that area needed for as long as necessary. The unit has its stations at:
and OH-23 Raven. The environment in the unit was light and quietly, unit the drig era of the late 1970s when Puerto Rico was becoming a bridge for drugs to the United States. In the early 1980s, the violence for drugs in Puerto Rico was rising in an alarming rate, and the helicopters was becoming a costal patrol unit to catch in sight boats with thousand of pounds of drugs and illegal weapons. In the streets, the helicopters use at day was better that at night, because of the need of better equipment. In 1986, when FURA was formed, U.S. funds for law enforcement helped the unit to get better equipment, includind state of the art helicopters. The fleet was changed to three MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, 3 MD Helicopters MD 500 and Bell 206
with Tail Numbers N117PD,N118PD and N119PD respectively. Those BK117 by that time were “state of the art” on equipment for the police patrolling missions. One has weather radar and full IFR capable. The Puerto Rico Police become one of the first air unit, through the United State to operate a large fleet of BK117 on the police mission. Today, those BK117 are not airworthy because of mechanical problems and most of them were auctioned.
On mid 90's, the air unit receive one MD 520N NOTAR system, tail number N128PD. Also, one Beechcraft Super King Air
, from the program High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This aircraft have the same equipment as United States Customs Service
aircraft. The primary mission is drug trafficking monitoring. In 1995 the Puerto Rico Air Unit received, five Bell OH-58 Kiowa
from U.S. Army Donation. The OH-58C are Demilitarized ("demilitarized" means converted to non-military use or purpose, returned to a civilian field). Today, this fleet of OH-58C is "Not Airworthy".
In 2000, the air unit received three brand new helicopters, Bell 407
tail number N137PD and N311DJ, one Bell 412
tail number N136PD. The Bell 412 was equipped "multi-mission" with rescue cable. In 2006, FURA received two new Bell 407 tail number N138PD and N139PD helicopters with new Wescam technology, including more powerful searchlights and heat-seeking monitors that it can use to search for a person under any obstacle. Also, it received a telephoto camera that can see a license plate very clearly from 4000 feet (1,219.2 m) in the air. The system are capable of transmitting live image to ground units.
The air services is divided in 2 regions:
Today, airworthy fleet consists of one Cessna 310, two Cessna 404, four Bell 407s, one Bell 412,and three MD Helicopters MD 500 and one MD520N. The Beechcraft Super King Air and the OH-58 Kiowa were remove from the fleet because of maintinace cost. The air services is the main component of FURA, and collaborates in SWAT exercises and rescue mission, costal patrol and air support for ground units.
of the PRPD retains its original responsibility to intervene in situations of hostage rescue, anti-sniper operations, search and arrest dangerous fugitives and to support other units of the PRPD. The unit works with U.S. federal agencies to fill raids and other high-risk situations. Also, the team is highly trained to conduct missions to protect dignitaries from other countries. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 nationwide SWAT teams are responsible for serving as primary units to intervene in places where the use or suspected use of weapons of mass destruction
, where the assigned personnel are trained.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
(ATF), United States Marshals Service
United States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
(USMS), Department of Homeland Security, among others.
History
FURA's story dates back to the early establishment of the Spanish Civil Guard as this police system used as a main transport horses. After the Hispanic-American War where Puerto Rico becomespossession of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Insular Police
Puerto Rico was established February 1899, during the period for provision of the Military Governor Guy B. Henry. By this time the main ways of transportation on the island were the horses. Therefore, these were used by police to move their staff to
address the grievances of the people and force the security system in place then.
Over the years, the development progress of the island and the
changes in the way of life, the new technology replaces the use of
horses which had rendered a service of great benefit to the
town. By the end of the 1950s at the behest of the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marin
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
, in response to booming tourist area of San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, became necessary to resort again to the implementation of the horses as an additional tool in preventing crime. This unit composed of one Sergeant, four officers and
four horses purchased locally. In 1960 a sergeant and four PRPD officers were trained at the New York Police Mounted Academy.
In 1963, a new tool came to the PRPD, and that was the helicopter. The PRPD air unit was stationed at Isla Grande Airport, later to be known as Roig Police Air Base. Its fleet consisted of Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
|-See also:-External links:* , current Type Certificate holder.* *...
and OH-23 Raven. On January 1, 1971 the Order was drawn up which implements 71-1 Labor Standards and Procedures for the Mounted Unit. This indicated that it offers its services mainly in the coastal area in the prevention and enforcement of laws as established in Puerto Rico. If necessary and required the unit can expand its services to anywhere in the island. In 1979, the Puerto Rico Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) was formed within the Tactical Operations Division of the San Juan area, under the supervision of Sgt. Faustino Mendoza and Commander Jose E. Sanchez Sanchez. The Puerto Rico Police, decided to create this group after the events occurred with Arab athletes at the Olympics in Munich, Germany.
The division as well was created in 1986 under Executive Order 4645-B as the "United Forces of Rapid Action Corps. (FURA) against drug trafficking." It will integrate thenunites of Rescue, Mounted, Divers, SWAT, Aereal Services, Canine and Maritime.
On February 25, 1993, by Executive Order EO-1993-07, was converted into a regular program of programmatic and organizational structure of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Today, FURA works in conjunction with law enforcement agencies of the U.S. government, such as the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), United States Border Patrol
United States Border Patrol
The United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency within U.S. Customs and Border Protection , a component of the Department of Homeland Security . It is an agency in the Department of Homeland Security that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to...
, U.S. Coast Guard, among others.
Units
The United Forces of Fast Action has 6 units that united forces with U.S. agencies to prevent the entry of drugs, weapons and illegal immigrants to Puerto Rico. Also provides support to units of the Puerto Rico Police Department and the police departments of 78 municipalities during interventions, riots, police raids or other situation that requires help from FURA. These units are:Mounted Unit
Is the oldest unit from the Puerto Rico Police, formed in the time of the Spanish colonial rule in Puerto Rico, before the U.S. invasion of 1898. It became official as a unit in 1899 by Col. Frank Thacher. It was an essential unit during the first half of the 20th century. Then, governor Luis Muñoz MarinLuis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
put the, ounted unit to the turistical areas of Puerto Rico to call the attention of the tourist and provide better protection. Today, the PRPD Mounted unit is used in turistical areas of the San Juan Metropolitan Area like beaches and waterfronts. They are trained to used their horses to stop offenders, and they can use their hose as a method of intimidation in times of police intervention with offenders. There are 3 stations of the Mounted Unit, and if needed by police to patrol an area at festivals or family activities of large concentration of the audience, the unit moved its staff to that area needed for as long as necessary. The unit has its stations at:
- San JuanSan Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
- Piñones (LoizaLoíza, Puerto RicoLoíza is a small town and municipality in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, north of Canóvanas; east of Carolina; and west of Río Grande. Loíza is spread over 5 wards and Loíza Pueblo...
) - Boqueron (Cabo RojoCabo Rojo, Puerto RicoCabo Rojo is a municipality situated on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico and forms part of the San Germán–Cabo Rojo metropolitan area as well as the larger Mayagüez–San Germán–Cabo Rojo Combined Statistical Area....
) - Ensenada (GuánicaGuánica, Puerto RicoGuánica is a municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located on southern coast, bordering the Caribbean Sea, south of Sabana Grande, east of Lajas, and west of Yauco. It is part of the Yauco Metropolitan Statistical Area....
)
Air Services
The Air Services of FURA was formed in 1963 as the Puerto Rico Police Air Unit at the Isla Grande Airport, later to be known by the police as Roig Police Air Base, in honor of whom formed the unit, Salvador T. Roig. Its fleet consisted of Fairchild Hiller FH-1100Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
|-See also:-External links:* , current Type Certificate holder.* *...
and OH-23 Raven. The environment in the unit was light and quietly, unit the drig era of the late 1970s when Puerto Rico was becoming a bridge for drugs to the United States. In the early 1980s, the violence for drugs in Puerto Rico was rising in an alarming rate, and the helicopters was becoming a costal patrol unit to catch in sight boats with thousand of pounds of drugs and illegal weapons. In the streets, the helicopters use at day was better that at night, because of the need of better equipment. In 1986, when FURA was formed, U.S. funds for law enforcement helped the unit to get better equipment, includind state of the art helicopters. The fleet was changed to three MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, 3 MD Helicopters MD 500 and Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
with Tail Numbers N117PD,N118PD and N119PD respectively. Those BK117 by that time were “state of the art” on equipment for the police patrolling missions. One has weather radar and full IFR capable. The Puerto Rico Police become one of the first air unit, through the United State to operate a large fleet of BK117 on the police mission. Today, those BK117 are not airworthy because of mechanical problems and most of them were auctioned.
On mid 90's, the air unit receive one MD 520N NOTAR system, tail number N128PD. Also, one Beechcraft Super King Air
Beechcraft Super King Air
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
, from the program High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This aircraft have the same equipment as United States Customs Service
United States Customs Service
Until March 2003, the United States Customs Service was an agency of the U.S. federal government that collected import tariffs and performed other selected border security duties.Before it was rolled into form part of the U.S...
aircraft. The primary mission is drug trafficking monitoring. In 1995 the Puerto Rico Air Unit received, five Bell OH-58 Kiowa
OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
from U.S. Army Donation. The OH-58C are Demilitarized ("demilitarized" means converted to non-military use or purpose, returned to a civilian field). Today, this fleet of OH-58C is "Not Airworthy".
In 2000, the air unit received three brand new helicopters, Bell 407
Bell 407
The Bell 407 is a four-blade, single-engine, civil utility helicopter; a derivative of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger. The 407 uses the four-blade rotor with composite hub developed for the United States Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior instead of the two-blade, semi-rigid rotor of the 206L-4...
tail number N137PD and N311DJ, one Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
tail number N136PD. The Bell 412 was equipped "multi-mission" with rescue cable. In 2006, FURA received two new Bell 407 tail number N138PD and N139PD helicopters with new Wescam technology, including more powerful searchlights and heat-seeking monitors that it can use to search for a person under any obstacle. Also, it received a telephoto camera that can see a license plate very clearly from 4000 feet (1,219.2 m) in the air. The system are capable of transmitting live image to ground units.
The air services is divided in 2 regions:
- Northern: Based at Roig Police Air Base in Isla Grande, patrols from the coast of AguadillaAguadilla, Puerto RicoAguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...
to YabucoaYabucoa, Puerto RicoYabucoa is a small town in the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern region, north of Maunabo; south of San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Humacao; and east of Patillas and about one hour from San Juan. Yabucoa is spread over 9 wards and Yabucoa Pueblo...
.
- Southern: Based at Mercedita AirportMercedita AirportMercedita Airport is a commercial airport located three miles east of the central business district of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The airport covers and has one runway. Passenger movement at the airport in FY 2008 was 278,911, an astounding 1,228% increase over fiscal year 2003 and the highest of all...
in PoncePonce, Puerto RicoPonce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, it patrols from MaunaboMaunabo, Puerto RicoMaunabo is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern coast, northeast of Patillas and south of Yabucoa. Maunabo is spread over 8 wards and Maunabo Pueblo . It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.The Mayor of the town is Jorge L. Márquez Pérez...
to RinconRincón, Puerto RicoRincón is a municipality of Puerto Rico founded in 1771 by Don Luis de Añasco . It is located in the Western Coastal Valley, west of Añasco and Aguada. Rincón is spread over 8 wards and Rincón Pueblo...
.
Today, airworthy fleet consists of one Cessna 310, two Cessna 404, four Bell 407s, one Bell 412,and three MD Helicopters MD 500 and one MD520N. The Beechcraft Super King Air and the OH-58 Kiowa were remove from the fleet because of maintinace cost. The air services is the main component of FURA, and collaborates in SWAT exercises and rescue mission, costal patrol and air support for ground units.
Maritime Unit
The Maritime Unit of FURA is in charged of coastal and harbor patrol, illegal utilization of recreational boats, sea rescue and prevent the entrance of illegal drugs, weapons and immigrants to Puerto Rico. It was created as a sigle unit of the PRPD in the late 1930s, with headquarters in the San Juan harbor. Today, the Maritime Unit has 11 stations located in different places around Puerto Rico, creating a barrier for drugs, weapons and illegal immigrants, and better protection for citizens in costal waters. They coordinate with air units of FURA, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Border Patrol.S.W.A.T.
Created in 1979 within the Tactical Operations Division of the San Juan area, the Special Weapons and Tactics TeamSWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
of the PRPD retains its original responsibility to intervene in situations of hostage rescue, anti-sniper operations, search and arrest dangerous fugitives and to support other units of the PRPD. The unit works with U.S. federal agencies to fill raids and other high-risk situations. Also, the team is highly trained to conduct missions to protect dignitaries from other countries. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 nationwide SWAT teams are responsible for serving as primary units to intervene in places where the use or suspected use of weapons of mass destruction
Weapons of mass destruction
A weapon of mass destruction is a weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures , natural structures , or the biosphere in general...
, where the assigned personnel are trained.
Divers
The Divers Unit of FURA performs search and rescue of missing persons in the water bodies of Puerto Rico. They also make inspections of ships and cruises as part of the Homeland Security Department in the San Juan Bay and on the entrance of the Ponce harbor. They perform special services for maritime surveillance, such as raids, coastal patrols and others.Rescue
The rescue Unit of FURA are responsible for the rescue efforts of search and rescue missions for missing persons, building collapses, landslides or other situation requiring their assistance. They also help fire rescue units and or emergency management units in traffic accidents or people who need to be displaced by floods. Also, provides support to PRPD units at the time of rupture or penetrate steel doors, gates, windows, etc.. Also, with the help of Air Services Unit and Maritime Unit, serve as rescue swimers in times of offshore rescue or flooded areas.See also
- Puerto Rico Police Department