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Chilean Gendarmerie facts for kids

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The Chilean Gendarmerie
Gendarmería de Chile
Escudo Gendarmería de Chile.svg
Abbreviation GENCHI
Motto Labor Omnia Vincit. Deus Patria Lex
Work conquers everything. God, Country, Law
Agency overview
Formed November 30, 1929
Preceding agency
  • Cuerpo de Gendarmería de Prisiones
Jurisdictional structure
National agency
(Operations jurisdiction)
Chile
Operations jurisdiction Chile
Legal jurisdiction As per operations jurisdiction
General nature
Operational structure
Overviewed by Dirección Nacional
Headquarters Santiago de Chile
Agency executive
  • Luis Masferrer Farías, Director Nacional
Website
http://www.gendarmeria.cl

The Chilean Gendarmerie (called Gendarmería de Chile in Spanish, or GENCHI for short) is Chile's national service that manages prisons. Think of them as the people who look after prisons and the people inside them. They make sure everything is safe and orderly.

This service is part of the Chilean government. It works under the Ministry of Justice. The Gendarmerie helps keep society safe by managing the prison system.

What is the Gendarmerie?

The Gendarmerie is a special kind of police force. It is made up of uniformed officers. Their main job is to keep prisons secure. They also look after the people held in these facilities.

They are an armed service. This means their officers carry weapons. This is to ensure safety and order within the prisons. Their headquarters are in Santiago de Chile.

Their Main Responsibilities

The Gendarmerie has several important tasks. These tasks help the justice system work well. They focus on security and order.

  • Prison Security: They guard prisons and make sure no one escapes. They also prevent illegal activities inside.
  • Managing Inmates: They supervise the daily lives of people in prison. This includes their routines and activities.
  • Transport: They safely move people between prisons and courts. This is a very important security job.
  • Rehabilitation Support: They help with programs that aim to help people change. These programs prepare people to return to society.

History of the Gendarmerie

The Chilean Gendarmerie has a long history. It officially started in 1929. However, its roots go back even further.

Early Beginnings

Before 1929, prison duties were handled by other groups. Some units from the Chilean Army were involved. They had roles in both policing and managing prisons. This shows how important these jobs were.

Becoming a National Service

On November 30, 1929, the Gendarmerie was officially formed. It was created to be a dedicated national prison service. This made the system more organized. It also ensured that prisons were managed by a specialized group.

The service was first known as the "Cuerpo de Gendarmería de Prisiones." This means "Prison Gendarmerie Corps." Over time, it became the "Gendarmería de Chile" we know today.

Leadership and Motto

The Gendarmerie is led by a Director General. This person is chosen by the President of Chile. The current Director General is Mr. Luis Masferrer Farías. He is a lawyer.

The Gendarmerie's Motto

The Gendarmerie has a special motto. A motto is a short phrase that guides an organization. Their motto is in Latin: Labor Omnia Vincit. Deus Patria Lex.

This motto translates to: "Work conquers everything. God, Country, Law." It shows their dedication to hard work. It also reflects their values of faith, loyalty to Chile, and following the rules.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gendarmería de Chile para niños

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