National Police of Paraguay


The National Police of Paraguay is the main law-enforcement agency in Paraguay, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring the internal security of the nation.

Brief History

The first Paraguayan Police force was established in 1843, then known as the Asunción Police Department under the leadership of Pedro Nolazco Fernández. In 1992, Paraguay's government ratified a new constitution, which put policing duties under the newly formed National Police, which came under the interior ministry. In 2010, the PNP established a new aviation unit, called the Unidad de aviación, which operates helicopters to support of policing operations in the air.

Mission

The PNP is an institution with permanent high precedence in the constitution, with the mission of protecting life, preserving public order, and security and integrity of people. It is designed to guarantee individual and social development, as well as the achievement of the harmonious coexistence of the inhabitants of Paraguay, through the execution of coordinated, efficient and transparent actions.

Organization

The National Police is directed by the General Commissioner Director, assisted by the deputy General Commissioner Director for the General Directorates. It is composed of many training institutions, armed units, and general directorates, all under the auspices of the police command headquarters in the capital.

Training institutes

PNP police stations are police bodies, subordinated to the Departmental Police Headquarters, which are within the limits of an particular zone and executes the activities of the National Police in their particular cities.

Aviation Unit

The unit's current inventory includes the following:
AircraftOriginTypeIn service
Bell UH-1 Iroquoispolicing4
CASA C-212 Aviocartransport1
Robinson R44policing1
Mil Mi-8policing1

All helicopters of the PNP Aviation Unit are based at the Helipuerto Polica Nacional in Asuncion. The Silvio Pettirossi International Airport was initially used by PNP Aviation Unit, but later moved to Helipuerto Polica Nacional, which opened in August 2010.