page_title: Civil Guard (Spain)
section_title: Modern force
hierarchical_section_title: Civil Guard (Spain) / Modern force
caption_attribution_description: Español: Avión EADS/CASA CN 235 PM de la Guardia Civil English: EADS/CASA CN 235 PM Civil Guard's Surveillance Aircraft
context_page_description: The Civil Guard is the oldest law enforcement agency in Spain and is one of two national police forces. As a gendarmerie force, it is military in nature and is responsible for civil policing under the authority of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. The role of the Ministry Defence is limited except in times of war when the Ministry has exclusive authority. The corps is colloquially known as the benemérita. In annual surveys, it generally ranks as the national institution most valued by Spaniards, closely followed by other law enforcement agencies and the military.
  It has both a regular national role and undertakes specific foreign peacekeeping missions and is part of the European Gendarmerie Force. As a national gendarmerie force, the Guardia Civil was modeled on the French National Gendarmerie and has many similarities.
  As part of its daily duties, the Guardia Civil patrols and investigates crimes in rural areas, including highways and ports, whilst the Policía Nacional deals with safety in urban situations. Most cities also have a Policia Municipal. The three forces are nationally co-ordinated by the Ministry of the Interior.
context_section_description: The Guardia Civil as a police force, has had additional tasks given to it in addition to its traditional role.
  It is the largest police force in Spain, in terms of area served. Today, they are primarily responsible for policing and/or safety regarding the following (but not limited to) areas and/or safety related issues (given in no special order):
  law enforcement in all Spanish territory, excluding cities above 20,000 inhabitants (excluding the Communities of the Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarre),
  highway patrol (excluding the Communities of the Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarre),
  protection of the King of Spain and other members of the Spanish Royal Family,
  military police as part of military deployments overseas
  counter drugs operations,
  anti-smuggling operations,
  customs and ports of entry control,
  airport security,
  safety of prisons and safeguarding of prisoners,
  weapons licenses and arms control,
  security of border areas,
  bomb squad and explosives (TEDAX),
  high risk and special operations unit (UEI),
  coast guard,
  police deployments abroad (embassies),
  intelligence, counterterrorism and counter-intelligence gathering (SIGC),
  diving unit (GEAS),
  cyber and internet crime,
  mountain search and rescue (GREIM),
  hunting permits and
  environmental law enforcement (SEPRONA).
caption: Guardia Civil's CASA CN235 surveillance aircraft
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