Sevilla has unveiled a new elite unit within its Local Police force, designed to respond rapidly to high-risk situations and improve security across the city.
Known as the GAR – Grupo de Apoyo y Reaccion (Support and Response Group) – the unit was officially presented on Tuesday at its new headquarters on Calle Calatrava.
The team is made up of 36 specially selected officers who have undergone months of intensive training.
Their first deployment will take place this Wednesday in El Cerezo, one of the city’s most tense neighbourhoods in recent weeks.
Specialist training and rapid response
According to Manuel Corregidor, who leads the unit, GAR officers have received ‘specific training in firearms, self-defence and first aid’ to prepare them for complex and potentially dangerous situations.
The unit has been created in response to Sevilla’s growing demands on policing, particularly during major events such as the city’s famous spring festivals, which draw large crowds and require heightened security.
Mayor Jose Luis Sanz described the new team as a long-awaited addition.
‘We have a high number of events, a fast pace of life and large crowds during the spring festivities. I am convinced this unit will be the solution to some of Seville’s problems,’ he said.
A ‘human shield’ for the city
The GAR has been described as a ‘human shield’ for Sevilla, and a highly trained group ready to intervene quickly wherever needed.
City officials say the selection process for the unit was ‘extremely rigorous’, with candidates undergoing a demanding recruitment phase followed by specialised instruction involving Spain’s Policia Nacional, Guardia Civil and even prosecutors from Sevilla.
Visible presence on the streets
Authorities say the GAR will stand out not only because of its distinctive uniform – including its signature beret – but also through its operational style and rapid deployment.
The unit will be based in the historic centre but will be able to mobilise quickly to any part of the city.
Its first assignment in El Cerezo comes amid rising tensions linked to neighbourhood disputes and ongoing issues with illegal parking attendants, known locally as ‘gorrillas’.
Police chief Antonio Luis Moreno said the new unit will significantly boost both effectiveness and safety.
Equipped for action
The team will also have access to off-road vehicles and newly equipped facilities, allowing them to respond quickly to incidents across the city.
As Corregidor put it: ‘We are warriors who will be the first to arrive wherever we are needed.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
