Civil Guard (Spain) facts for kids

"Guardia Civil" redirects here. For other uses, see Civil Guard.

Quick facts for kids Civil Guard Guardia Civil
Badge
Abbreviation	GC
Motto	El honor es mi divisa Honour is my badge
Agency overview
Formed	May 13, 1844
Employees	85,426 total (2020) and 77,223 active (2020)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Spain
General nature	Gendarmerie
Specialist jurisdictions	National border patrol, security, and integrity. Coastal patrol, marine border protection, marine search and rescue. Highways, roads, and-or traffic.
Operational structure
Headquarters	Calle de Guzmán el Bueno, 110, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Elected officers responsible	Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Minister of the Interior Margarita Robles, Minister of Defence
Agency executive	María Gámez Gámez [es], Director-General
Parent agency	Directorate-General of the Civil Guard
Notables
Award	Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand

The Civil Guard (Spanish: Guardia Civil) is Spain's oldest law enforcement group. It is one of two main national police forces. This group is like a military police force, called a gendarmerie. It works under both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence usually only has full control during wartime. People in Spain often call the Civil Guard benemérita, which means "the meritorious" or "the reputable". Many surveys show that Spaniards value the Civil Guard highly, often more than other national groups.

The Civil Guard works both within Spain and on special missions abroad. It is also part of the European Gendarmerie Force. This force was created based on the French National Gendarmerie, and they share many similarities.

Every day, the Civil Guard patrols and investigates crimes in rural areas. This includes highways and ports. Meanwhile, the National Police handles safety in cities. Most cities also have their own Municipal Police Force. The Ministry of the Interior helps all three forces work together. Civil Guard members often live in places called casas cuartel. These are small living areas that also serve as fully equipped police stations.

History of the Civil Guard

How the Civil Guard Started

The Guardia Civil began in 1844. It was founded by the 2nd Duke of Ahumada. This happened during the rule of Queen Isabel II of Spain. Before the Civil Guard, law enforcement was handled by the "Holy Brotherhood" (Santa Hermandad). This old group had many problems with corruption. It was not very effective outside of large towns. Criminals could easily escape by moving to a different area.

First ever photograph taken of a Civil Guard member, between 1855 and 1857 in Reinosa, Spain.

The first police academy for the Guardia opened in 1855. It was in Valdemoro, south of Madrid. Graduates received the famous tricorne hat as part of their uniform. The Guardia's first main job was to stop brigandage (banditry) on the nation's roads. This was a big problem, especially in Andalusia, where many travelers were robbed.

The King also gave the Guardia Civil a political task. They were to help maintain land ownership and order among farmers. This was to stop anti-monarchist movements. These movements were inspired by the French Revolution. After a civil war and unequal land distribution, Spain faced much social unrest. The government needed strong action to control revolts. The Guardia Civil was designed to be a highly mobile military force. They could patrol and bring peace to large rural areas. Members of the Guardia, called 'guardias', still work in pairs today. This pair is known as a "pareja". One 'guardia' starts the action, while the other provides backup.

The Civil War (1936–1939)

Republican Civil Guard emblem (1931–1939)

During the Spanish Civil War, the Guardia Civil split almost evenly. About 53% of its members stayed loyal to the Republic. They changed their name to Guardia Nacional Republicana (Republican National Guard). The rest joined the rebel forces. The head of the corps, Inspector General Sebastián Pozas, remained loyal to the Republic. Both sides found the Civil Guard very effective in city battles.

Compared to other Spanish police groups, a higher number of Civil Guard members supported the rebel side. For example, over 70% of the Carabineros stayed loyal to the Spanish Republic.

During Franco's Rule (1939–1975)

After the Civil War, Spain was ruled by General Francisco Franco. During his time (1939–1975), the Guardia Civil grew stronger. It absorbed members from the Carabineros, another police force that was disbanded.

Some people criticized the Guardia Civil during this period. They were accused of harsh actions because of their link to Franco's government. Since the Guardia often worked in isolated rural areas, there was less oversight. This sometimes led to concerns about individual rights.

Even after Franco's rule, Civil Guard figures remained involved in politics. In 1981, Lt. Col. Antonio Tejero Molina, a Civil Guard member, took part in a failed coup d'état. He and about 200 Civil Guard members briefly took over the lower house of the Spanish parliament. The coup ended after King Juan Carlos spoke on TV and condemned it.

The Civil Guard Today

The Guardia Civil has taken on more duties beyond its traditional roles.

The Spanish Civil Guard patrol ship Rio Segura in Dakar, Senegal, during an exercise in 2014.

It is the largest police force in Spain in terms of the area it covers. Today, the Civil Guard is mainly responsible for policing and safety in many areas. These include:

Law enforcement in all Spanish territory, except for cities with over 20,000 people.
Highway patrol.
Protecting the King of Spain and other members of the Royal Family.
Military police duties in military operations abroad.
Stopping smuggling.
Controlling customs and ports of entry.
Airport security.
Safety of prisons and guarding prisoners.
Issuing weapons licenses and controlling arms.
Security in border areas.
Bomb squad and explosives experts (TEDAX).
High-risk and special operations unit (UEI).
Coast guard duties.
Police work in Spanish embassies abroad.
Gathering intelligence and fighting terrorism (SIGC).
Diving unit (GEAS).
Investigating cyber and internet crimes.
Mountain search and rescue (GREIM).
Hunting permits and enforcing environmental laws (SEPRONA).

A Civil Guard CASA CN235 surveillance aircraft.

A quick reaction force, Grupo de Acción Rápida, of the Civil Guard.

A Spanish Civil Guard Eurocopter EC-135P-2 with members of the Unidad Especial de Intervención (Special Intervention Unit).

Peacekeeping and Other Operations

The Guardia Civil has taken part in peacekeeping missions. These include operations sponsored by the United Nations. They have served in places like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Angola, Congo, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Haiti, East Timor, and El Salvador. They also worked with Spanish armed forces in the war in Iraq. There, they mainly acted as military police and gathered information.

In the Afghan war, the rapid reaction branch of the Guardia Civil, called the Grupo de Acción Rápida (GAR), was sent to Kabul in 2002. They protected the High Representative of the European Union until 2008. Other Civil Guard units also deployed to Afghanistan for peacekeeping. After 2009, their mission changed to training local security forces.

The Guardia Civil is also known as la benemérita ("the well-remembered"). They served in Spanish colonies like Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Spanish Morocco.

The Guardia Civil has a similar force in Costa Rica, also called the Guardia Civil. The Costa Rican 'guardias' often train at the same academy as Spanish officers. During the Iraqi Civil War, the GAR helped train Iraqi federal police to fight against ISIS militants.

Special Features

Members of the Guardia usually patrol in pairs.
Guardia Civil members often live in special housing areas called garrisons (casa-cuartel) with their families.
The symbol of the Guardia Civil includes the Royal Crown of Spain, a sword, and a fasces. Different units have their own versions of this symbol.
From the 1970s to the early 1990s, their main handgun was the Star Model BM. It was later replaced by the Beretta 92, and more recently by the H&K USP.

Traditions

Monogram

Ship racing stripe

Hymn

The first hymn was created between 1915 and 1916. It was a school hymn. Later, in the 1920s, Lieutenant Colonel José Osuna Pineda updated the words and music. This hymn became the official song of the Young Guardsmen's College in 1922. Even without a formal law, it became the official hymn because it was used so widely.

Motto

The Civil Guard's motto is "Honor is my badge." This comes from a rulebook written in 1845 by the Duke of Ahumada. The full saying is: "Honor is the main badge of the Civil Guard; it must, therefore, be kept spotless. Once lost, it is never recovered." This means honor is extremely important to them.

Music Unit

The Music Unit of the Civil Guard is the official military band of the Civil Guard. It is part of the guard's main office. Since 1844, the Civil Guard has had different musical groups. In 1859, a unified band appeared for the first time. More bands were formed over the years in Madrid and Valdemoro. In 1940, Civil Guard musicians were officially approved. In 1949, the music bands of the Carabineros Corps and the Civil Guard joined together. Today, the band reports to the General Subdirectorate of Personnel.

A small mounted band also serves with the Civil Guard Cavalry Squadron. They use special fanfare trumpets. This group continues the traditions of the Civil Guard cavalry since it began. In 2022, they received their own kettledrummer, like the Royal Guard's Mounted Band.

Tricorn

The most famous part of the Civil Guard uniform is the tricorn hat. This hat is worn for formal parades and duties outside public buildings. For other duties, they wear a cap or a beret. The Civil Guard officially calls it the "black hat."

Patronage

On February 8, 1913, Our Lady of the Pillar was officially declared the Civil Guard's special patron saint.

Uniforms

Spanish Civil Guard wearing the tricornio hat during National Day celebrations in Madrid.

The Civil Guard wears many different types of clothing. Their uniform depends on the job they are doing.

The traditional hat of the Guardia is the tricornio. It is now mostly used for special parades and formal duties. For other times, they wear a cap or a beret.

The old blue, white, and red uniform is now only worn by a special Civil Guard Company of the Royal Guard. It is also worn by parade markers at the Civil Guard Academy. In 2011, a new modern work uniform was announced. It includes a green baseball cap, a polo shirt, and cargo pants.

Uniforms of the Civil Guard

Patrol	Patrol Road waistcoat	Traffic Group Motorcyclist ATGC	Sailor Coverralls	Sailor Summer	USECIC	GAR	GRS Winter



GREIM Rescue	GEAS Diver	Camouflage Military Police	Service Dress Winter	Service Dress Summer	Full Dress	Evening Dress	Ceremonial Dress Historic

Ranks and Insignia

NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D)						Student officer
Spanish Civil Guard
Spanish Civil Guard					Teniente general		General de división		General de brigada		Coronel		Teniente coronel		Comandante		Capitán		Teniente			Alférez			Caballero Alférez Cadete						Alférez Alumno 3º		Alférez Alumno 2º		Alférez Alumno 1º

NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Spanish Civil Guard
Spanish Civil Guard	Suboficial mayor			Subteniente			Brigada		Sargento primero		Sargento						Cabo mayor						Cabo primero				Cabo		Guardia Civil de Primera (Rank in abeyance)						Guardia Civil

Organization and Specialties

A mountain rescue group (GREIM) from the Civil Guard during an avalanche rescue training.

1939–1977 Civil Guard emblem

The Civil Guard has different specialized units. These are divided into operational (doing the work) and support (helping the work) specialties:

UAR (Unidad de Acción Rural) – The rural service branch of the Guardia Civil.
Seguridad Ciudadana – Public Order and Prevention service, which is the largest part of the Guardia Civil.
GEAS (Grupo Especial de Actividades Subacuáticas) – Divers who work underwater.
GRS (Grupo de Reserva y Seguridad) – Security Group, involved in riot control and includes the Civil Guard Cavalry Squadron.
SEMAR (Servicio Marítimo) – The Guardia Civil's Naval Service, which watches coastlines and inspects fisheries.
SEPRONA (Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza) – Nature Protection Service, for protecting the environment.
SAER (Servicio Aéreo) – The Guardia Civil Air Service, which uses aircraft.
Servicio Cinológico – K-9 Unit, which uses dogs to find explosives and people.
GREIM (Grupos de Rescate e Intervención en Montaña / Servicio de Montaña) – Mountain and Speleology Rescue, for rescues in mountains and caves.
Jefatura Fiscal y de Fronteras – Customs and Revenue Service, for border and tax control.
SIGC (Servicio de Informacion de la Guardia Civil) – Intelligence Service, which gathers information.
TEDAX (Técnicos Especialistas en Desactivación de Artefactos Explosivos) – Explosive Artifacts Defuser Specialised Technicians (bomb disposal).
Agrupación de Tráfico – Traffic Group, the Guardia Civil Highway Patrol unit, which controls highways.
GAR (Grupo de Acción Rápida) – Rapid Reaction Group. A special anti-terrorist unit that works in Spain and on some foreign missions.
UCO (Unidad Central Operativa) – Central Operative Unit, a part of the Policía Judicial that handles complex or nationwide investigations.
UEI (Unidad Especial de Intervención) – Special Intervention Unit.
ODAIFI (Oficinas de Análisis e Investigación Fiscal) – Investigates crimes, especially finding illegal goods like money or stolen items at border crossings.
USESIC (Las Unidades de Seguridad Ciudadana de la Comandancia) – Elite forces attached to some regional headquarters.

Requirements to Join

To join the Civil Guard, you need to meet certain requirements:

You must be a Spanish citizen.
You need to speak Spanish very well.
Cadets can join at 16, and adults can join between 18 and 31 years old.
Men must be taller than 1.65 metres (65 in) and women taller than 1.55 metres (61 in).
You must have finished Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO).
You need to be in good general health and have no long-term illnesses.
You must be able to swim.

Equipment

Firearms

EMTAN Ramon 9x19mm - This handgun was adopted in 2021 to replace the Beretta 92F. It looks similar to the Glock 19.
Heckler & Koch USP Compact 9×19mm (since 2020): These pistols started being given out in 2020.
Beretta 92 9×19mm (Being replaced by the H&K USP Compact).
Heckler & Koch MP5 9×19mm.
EMTAN MZ-4P 5.56×45mm.
Heckler & Koch G36 5.56×45mm.
Heckler & Koch HK33 5.56×45mm.
SIG Sauer MCX Rattler .300 AAC Blackout - 15 units were bought in 2023.
CETME rifle 7.62×51mm.
SIG SG 553.

Aircraft

CASA CN 235.
INDRA P2006T.

Helicopters

MBB BÖ-105.
MBB/Kawasaki BK-117.
Airbus H-135.
Airbus H-365 Dauphin II.