ORMO
ORMO (Polish: Ochotnicza Rezerwa Milicji Obywatelskiej), or the Volunteer Reserve of the Citizens' Militia, was a paramilitary organization and voluntary support brigade of the communist police force, the Citizen's Militia (MO). ORMO was founded in the Polish People's Republic in 1946, and disbanded in 1989 by the Sejm after the collapse of the communist bloc in Central and Eastern Europe.
| Ochotnicza Rezerwa Milicji Obywatelskiej (Volunteer Reserve of the Citizens' Militia) | |
|---|---|
ORMO voluntary police unit during street parade at the Victory Square, 9 June 1946, Warsaw | |
| Active | 1946–1989 |
| Country | Polish People's Republic |
| Allegiance | Citizens' Militia (MO) |
| Branch | ZOMO |
| Type | Paramilitary police reserve |
| Role | Political coercion |
| Size | Max. 450,000 members |
| Nickname(s) | ORMO |
In its heyday, ORMO had approximately 400,000–450,000 people in its reserves (at one time numbered as many as 600,000 civilian volunteers), recruited mostly from among the members of the communist Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR), farmers, workers and also a large share of members of United People's Party (ZSL), Democratic Party (SD) and other non-party opportunists ready for street action. ORMO was often involved in staging and performing unlawful arrests and street beatings of peaceful protesters (including women and journalists), such as during the public demonstrations organized by Solidarity aimed at removing the communist government of Poland.