Institutional Protection Service

The Institutional Protection Service was organized in March 1990 to assume the functions previously assigned to the former presidential guard. It was created through Decree Law No. 2 of July 8, 1999. == Duties ==

Based in Panama City, the Institutional Protection Service is attached to the Ministry of the Presidency and is in charge of providing protection to the Panamanian authorities such as the President of the Republic of Panama, the Ministers, Ex-Presidents and the Ex-Vice Presidents in charge of the Presidency of the Republic, as provided in this Decree Law; as well as contributing to the maintenance of internal public order, peace, citizen security, protecting public spaces and buildings. Some of its functions also include the protection of the banks of the Panama Canal and surveillance of public spaces such as the Cinta Costera and Calzada de Amador. ==Organisation==

The Institutional Protection Service has approximately more than 2,000 units that are distributed in 3 different company groups. As part of this organization they have the political and executive level, coordination level, advisory level, supervisory level, support level and within the operational level they have 3 groups which are: Presidential Protection Group The Presidential Protection Group () has the responsibility of providing protection and escorting Important Persons. Presidential Guard Battalion The Presidential Guard Battalion () has the responsibility of ensuring the security of the facilities, as well as the protocol of honor, the custody of the banks of the Canal, the security of different facilities where official events or presidential summits are held. Organized into the Presidential Band and 5 companies, the 5th historical. Special Anti-Terrorism Group The Special Anti-Terrorism Group () is a group of special forces under the command of the President of the Republic. ==Training==

In terms of training, there is an Integral Training and Training Academy, in which the personnel are trained and remain in constant training, which has allowed the professional level of the units to be raised, maintaining constant cooperation with the rest of the Public Force, where he has participated in various exercises, such as the last Panamax event, held in the country; Many of the units that make up the Institution have received training in Central, South American and European countries. The Institutional Protection Service has been a model for the creation of similar Institutions in other Central American countries. == Equipment ==