10.1. Security coverage provided by the Czech Republic Police

Security coverage is provided by the Protection Service of the Czech Republic Police or by the Military Police of the Czech Army. Decisions on the level of security required in each case are made by the Protection Service on the basis of the current security situation and potential risks.

The Czech Republic provides security coverage to the following protected persons:

• Heads of State
• Chairpersons of both chambers of the Parliament
• Prime Ministers
• Ministers of Foreign Affairs
• Ministers of the Interior
• Ministers of Justice
• Ministers of Defence (security coverage provided by the Czech Army’s Military Police)
• Heads of some international organizations.

Before the visit, the diplomatic mission must present an official request for protection to the protocol department of the competent government authority. In case the visitor is on the above list, the request must be directed to the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In case the visitor is not on the above list, the request must be directed to the protocol or other appropriate department of the government authority responsible for the organization of the visit.

The details and special requirements must be agreed directly between the mission, the Protection Service and the competent protocol department.

 

10.2. Foreign security officers

10.2.1. Temporary import of firearms and ammunition for the use of security officers

The Firearms Act (Section 51, paragraph 3) requires missions to inform the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic about armed security officers who will accompany the protected person, and about their firearms and ammunition. This information must be presented in a diplomatic note with attached Form 1a (temporary import of arms and ammunition, request for Czech police coverage) and Form 1b (details on foreign security officers and their firearms and ammunition).

The note must reach the Diplomatic Protocol no later than five (5) working days before the security officer’s planned arrival.

Form 1b must be completed separately for each officer. This form requires the mission to certify that the security officer is a member of the security service of the given country travelling to the Czech Republic on official duty.

The officer must be a national of the country that provides protection to the protected person. The passport number entered in Form 1b must be the number of a passport issued by this country. Passports issued by other countries are not acceptable as identity documents of foreign security officers.

The Diplomatic Protocol forwards the request for temporary import of firearms and ammunition together with a cover letter to the Police Presidium via data box for approval. Forms stamped with „No objections“ from the Police Presidium are sent back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via data box and the Diplomatic Protocol will forward the forms to the diplomatic mission by email. In case of time presure the diplomatic mission has to collect the forms at the Police Presidency personally. 

The mission must ensure that each security officer carries copies of Forms 1a and 1b. The officers must present these documents to Czech authorities on request.

The Diplomatic Protocol arranges only notification to the Police Presidium about temporary import of firearms and ammunition for security officers accompanying protected persons that are entitled to the protection in accordance with international law with regard to their functions  (i.e. Heads of State, Chairpersons of both chambers of the Parliament, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of the Interior, Ministers of Justice, and Heads of international organizations) and the other constitutional and governmental officials during their term  while on visits of the Czech Republic.

A foreign protected person entering the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic shall be accompanied by only one foreign security officer NOT CARRYING firearm.

The following categories of protected persons are entitled to be accompanied by a set maximum number of armed security officers:

1. Ministers                                                                up to 2 armed security officers

2. Chairpersons of both chambers of the Parliament                     

                                                                                      up to 3 armed security officers

3. Prime Ministers                                                     up to 4 armed security officers

4. Heads of State                                                        up to 6 armed security officers

5. protected persons from the European Union institutions

                                                                                       up to 3 armed security officers

6. other protected persons based on an assessment by the Czech Republic Police

                                                                                       up to 2 armed security officers

Only short firearms are permitted.

Contact details
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Diplomatic Protocol
tel: +420 224 182 228
e-mail: dp_flights.security@mzv.cz

Policejní prezidium České republiky
Ředitelství služby pro zbraně a bezpečnostní materiál, oddělení metodiky

Olšanská 2, Praha 3
tel: 974 834 436, 974 834 278
email: rszbm@pcr.cz, firearms@pcr.cz 

 

10.2.2. Allocation of radio frequencies for the use of security officers accompanying foreign delegations

Foreign security officers using portable radio equipment are authorized to use the frequencies allocated to them advance by the Czech Telecommunication Office. Requests for the authorization must be submitted to the Czech Telecommunication Office through the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

How to obtain the authorization

The mission must send to the Diplomatic Protocol a written request in the form of a verbal note accompanied by completed Form 2 “Request for allocation of radio frequencies for the use of security officers accompanying protected persons” (“Žádost o schválení rádiových kmitočtů pro ochrannýdoprovod chráněných osob”). The request must be sent by e-mail
( dp_flights.security@mzv.cz ) at least five (5) working days before the planned arrival.

Important: It is essential to observe this deadline – otherwise, the Czech Telecommunication Office may be unable to process the request in time.

On the basis of the note, the Czech Telecommunication Office issues a short-term individual permit to use radio frequencies for terrestrial mobile service (“Krátkodobé individuální oprávnění k využívání rádiových kmitočtů pozemní pohyblivé služby”). The permit is issued in Czech only. It allocates the frequencies and sets out the conditions for their use. In case the requested frequencies are already occupied by other users, the Czech Telecommunication Office will allocate other frequencies. Therefore it is advisable to include in the request a list of alternative frequencies.

The permit is sent to the mission by e-mail through the Diplomatic Protocol.

To speed up the processing of requests related to the security of foreign visitors, missions are recommended to present the request for security coverage, temporary firearms import permit and radio frequencies under one covering note.

Contact details
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Diplomatic Protocol
tel: +420 224 182 228
e-mail: dp_flights.security@mzv.cz

 

10.3. Annexes

To download on the website www.mzv.cz/protocol - Formuláře / Forms