Polícia Militar

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A group of Polícia Militar troops

Polícia Militar, or PM, is the name of the state police forces in Brazil. Each of the States of Brazil has their own corps of Polícia Militar, which is in charge of state wide law enforcement. Even if the name literally means military police they are rather a gendarmerie force, which means that they are military organizations charged with police duties over civilian population.

There is also a joint "Força de Operações Especiais" ("Special Operations Force"), which has been formed by the state corps. This force was used for the first time during riots in the state of Espírito Santo, and is composed of the most qualified personnel from all the states.

Divisions

The state corps are divided into battalions (Batalhões de Polícia Militar, BPM); the battalions are divided into companies (Companhias, Cia.); and the Companies are divided into "advanced posts" (Destacamento Policial Militar, DPM). Each of the state corps has its own uniform, coat of arms and anthem. Each batallion in the corps also have their own coat of arms.

Actions

The state corps have special units for riot control and organized crime combat, Batalhão de Choque (Riot Battalion) and Batalhão de Missões Especiais (Special Missions Batallion). It also has an internal intelligence unit, called P-2, investigation services, and an internal organization who punish members involved with crime, and members who make some excess in actions. Some corps also have cavalry units, Polícia Montada. In some states, these units have different names.

Ranks

Soldado (Private)
Cabo (Corporal)
3º Sargento (3rd Sergeant)
2º Sargento (2nd Sergeant)
1º Sargento (1st Sergeant)
Aluno Oficial (Student Officer, years 1-3)
Aspirante (Student Officer, in training)
Sub-Tenente (Sub Lieutenant)
2º Tenente (2nd Lieutenant)
1º Tenente (1st Lieutenant)
Capitão (Captain)
Major
Tenente-Coronel (Lieutenant-Colonel)
Coronel (Colonel)