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When the Czech Police was established on 15 July 1991, the VB was used as the basis of reforming the force under Act 283/1991 Coll.[3][4]
Organization
The VB was divided into the Public Order and Traffic VB (Highway Patrol), Criminal Investigations VB (major crimes, forensics) and an Infrastructure Security section (security of important buildings, installations, etc.). There were regional, district, city and local detachments of the force. Its given wartime mission scenarios incklude rear security operations and security of POW facilities.[5]
The VB were permitted to demand from any citizen an identification booklet (občanský průkaz). This booklet contained a photograph and information such as name, current address and place of employment (being unemployed in the ČSSR was practically illegal, as one could be charged with "living on avails of the society"). As carrying an občanský průkaz was mandatory; a person could be detained for simply not having one in their possession.
The auxiliary wing was the 'Public Security Auxiliary Guard' (Pomocná stráž VB), recruited from "politically reliable" citizens over the age of 21, who wore a red arm-band with "PS VB". They were generally used for traffic control and public order duties.
Vehicles
VB vehicles were originally blue with a white line along the side. Later vehicles had panels painted orange and white in a similar pattern to American 'black and whites', which the pattern's designer admitted after the fall of the regime was his inspiration. The full name 'Veřejná bezpečnost' was used with the blue design while later vehicles had only the letters 'VB' written on the white doors.
Uniforms
VB uniforms were also originally dark blue until the end of 1960s, when they changed to a khaki colour described officially as 'nettle green', with rank insignia on red epaulettes, which did not follow Soviet patterns, except for junior officers.
Rank structure
Rank in Czech
English Translation
Insignia
Praporčické
Warrant Officers/NCO's
Rotný
Junior Sergeant
one silver star
Strážmistr
Sergeant
two silver stars
Nadstrážmistr
Staff Sergeant
three silver stars
Podpraporčík
Junior Warrant Officer
one silver star with silver edging to epaulette
Praporčík
Warrant Officer
two silver stars with silver edging
Nadpraporčík
Senior Warrant Officer
three silver stars with silver edging
Důstojnické hodnosti
Officers
Podporučík
Junior Lieutenant
one gold star
Poručík
Lieutenant
two gold stars
Nadporučík
Senior Lieutenant
three gold stars, arranged in triangle
Kapitán
Captain
three gold stars arranged in a triangle, with a fourth above them
Major
Major
one gold star with gold edging to epaulette
Podplukovník
Lieutenant Colonel
two gold stars with gold edging
Plukovník
Colonel
three gold stars, arranged in triangle, with gold edging
Generálové
General Officers
Generálmajor
Major General
one large gold star with crossed staffs and gold braid edging
Generálporučík
Lieutenant General
two large gold stars with crossed staffs and gold braid edging
Generálplukovník
Colonel General
three large gold stars with crossed staffs and gold braid edging
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