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Public Security Service (Lithuania)

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Public Security Service
Viešojo saugumo tarnyba
AbbreviationVST
Agency overview
Formed18 October 1991; 33 years ago (1991-10-18)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionLithuania
Governing bodyMinistry of the Interior
Constituting instrument
  • Law on the Public Security Service 2006
Operational structure
HeadquartersM. K. Paco str. 4, 10309 Vilnius
Website
vstarnyba.lrv.lt/en

The Public Security Service or VST (Lithuanian: Viešojo saugumo tarnyba) is a Lithuanian law enforcement agency under the Ministry of the Interior. It is primarily involved in restoring the public order and serving as the main riot police force equipped for riot control as well as critical infrastructure protection.[1][2]

VST is a partner of the European Gendarmerie Force.[3] Similarly to gendarmeries in other states, VST is a paramilitary organization which has greater combat capability than the regular police. During the state of war, VST becomes directly subordinate to the Lithuanian Armed Forces.[4]

History

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ORKA unit of the VST

The origins of the special purpose law enforcement can be traced back to the armed formations of the Lithuanian Tribunal in the 17th century, specifically the Infantry Company of the Lithuanian Tribunal.[5] The modern precursor of the institution was the Brigade of the Local Army (Lithuanian: Vietinės kariuomenės brigada) established in February 1920, but disbanded a few years later.

The current institution was formed on 18 October 1991 and was known as the Internal Service Unit (Lithuanian: Vidaus tarnyba) until 2002 when, following its reorganization, it was renamed to the Public Security Service.[5] The institution is regulated by the Law on the Public Security Service 2006.[2]

Organization

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As of 2024, the service consists of the following units:[6]

  • Vilnius Unit
  • Kaunas Unit
  • Klaipėda Unit
  • Visaginas Unit
  • Operational Response Counterattack Team (ORKA)
  • Joint Operations Center
  • Training and combat training center
  • Staff Unit

Equipment

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IAG Guardian used by the VST
VST officers in the Port of Klaipėda exercises

Some of the VST equipment includes:[7][8][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lithuania - Public Security Service". OECD. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Law on the Public Security Service". Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Viešojo Saugumo Tarnyba – Partner Member". European Gendarmerie Force. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Viešojo saugumo tarnyba". Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b "History of Public Security Service". Government of the Republic of Lithuania. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Struktūra". Viešojo saugumo tarnyba prie LR VRM. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Išskirtiniai kadrai: kaip šarvuočiai pasaulio lyderius saugo nuo savižudžių sprogdintojų automobilių | GALERIJA". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Viešojo saugumo tarnyba ieško 10 vairuotojų specialiam transportui". LRT. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Viešojo saugumo tarnybą pasiekė naujas specialios paskirties šarvuotis". diena.lt. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
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