The Portuguese National Republican Guard is also known as the Portuguese gendarmarie. This French word means a military body who function as police for the civilians. The Portuguese National Republican Guard is composed of members, mostly soldier by occupation, guided by military organization and bounded by military laws. Also known as the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), the Portuguese National Republican Guard is entrusted with the duty providing Honour Guards in the changing of guards ceremonies held in public places like the Foreign Office Palace, Assembly of the Republic and the Belém Palace. Other activities of Portuguese National Republican Guard include:
- Arranging for fiscal guard
- Patrolling and implementing law in the rural areas and small Lisbon towns
- Patrolling on the national highways
The Portuguese National Republican Guard also has two military reserve regiments, among which one is an infantry and the other one, a cavalry.
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Creation of the Portuguese National Republican Guard
The origin of the National Republican Guard in Portugal can be traced back to 1911, when it was formed by a decree on 3rd of May. In fact, the National Republican Guard is said to have descended directly from the Royal Guard of the Police, established in the 19th century.
Organizational facts
The organizational structure of the Portuguese National Republican Guard includes a General Command, based in Lisbon. Besides, there are also some reserved, territorial and special entities. The School of the Guard is among the important units of the National Republican Guard. While the Lieutenant General commands over the National Republican Guard on the whole, the Brigades are under the commandments of Major Generals. The Brigades are made of Detachments, Sub-Detachments, Posts and Groups, commanded by various levels of army officers.
Portuguese National Republican Guards contribute in maintaining law and order in the country as a whole.
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