National Reference, Penitentiary Operations Command celebrates six years since its creation
The Cope is one of the special forces of the State Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration, which carries out intervention actions, recovery, and maintenance of control of the penitentiary system
The Penitentiary Operations Command (Cope) held a ceremony on the morning of this Friday (29) at the Santa Izabel Penitentiary Complex (Metropolitan Region of Belém) to celebrate its six years since its creation. The Cope, originally from the Penitentiary Police Battalion (BPop), is now one of the specialized forces of the State Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (Seap), responsible for patrolling prison units, escorts, and immediate intervention if necessary.
In its six years of existence, the Cope has become a reference force not only in Pará but also in Brazil. The Command, still as the Penitentiary Police Battalion, at the time formed only by members of the Military Police, played a prominent role in the recovery of penal units by the state government, recalled the Deputy Secretary of Operational Management of Seap, Ringo Alex Frias.
He represented the head of Seap, Marco Antonio Sirotheau Corrêa Rodrigues, at the ceremony, accompanied by the director of Penitentiary Administration, Colonel Odenir Margalho; Belchior Machado, from the Prison Work Directorate; Lucas Bellard, from the Criminal Execution Directorate; the acting commander of the Cope, Captain PM Esmael Alcântara; the acting commander of the Penitentiary Action Group (GAP), penal police officer Eslaine Almeida, and directors of the units of the Penitentiary Complex.
Order and productivity - Regarding the role of the Cope, Ringo Alex Frias emphasized that the Command acts for the maintenance of order, contributing daily to the penitentiary system. “The members of the Cope have, in a timely manner, the need to make the protocols for the Secretariat to flow in an orderly and productive way in our daily lives, in our units. There is no space where the Cope cannot enter. The consolidation of this work is essential for public safety and the order of our penitentiary system,” said the deputy secretary.
Ringo Alex Frias also assessed that the creation of the Cope represented a significant advance in Seap, due to the professionalism and dedication of its agents. “The Cope is made up of men and women who contribute greatly to the maintenance of our penitentiary system. The gratitude of our Secretariat to these men and women is immeasurable. And here we also express our thanks for the services rendered to the society of Pará,” concluded the deputy secretary.
Captain Esmael Alcântara highlighted the effort, dedication, and commitment of the members. “I greet everyone present for the work developed by each of those who make up the Cope, maintaining seriousness, commitment, and unity in maintaining order and control of the penal units of Pará,” declared the commander.
Tributes – During the ceremony, 10 “Friends of the Cope” certificates were awarded to present guests, including the director of the Penitentiary Administration School (EAP), Paulo Cunha; the coordinator of Education in Penal Services, Elisioneide Rodrigues; the coordinator of Pedagogical Support, Fádua Ferreira, and 3rd Sergeant PM Gleidson Trajano, director of UCR III.
Bronze medals were also awarded to four military police officers who have been serving in the Military Police for 10 years: Corporals Clebervaldo Almeida, Marcos Casseb, Márcio Silva, and Elder da Silva.
Representing the other PMs, Corporal Almeida thanked everyone, emphasizing that “today marks not only a date, an anniversary of this Operations Command, but also brings here a semblance of gratitude and appreciation for this troop, which dedicates itself, works, and qualifies every day to deliver the best for the society of Pará. And this decoration today, for 10 years of active service, brings to light only more strength for us to continue in our dedication and move forward, because sometimes, it is not just the values, but what matters is the feeling of gratitude for the recognition of our work, of our commitment. And all of this we thank God and all our comrades,” emphasized the police officer.
Text: Márcio Sousa - NCS/Seap
