Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia
The Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia (Polish: Zmotoryzowane Odwody Milicji Obywatelskiej), commonly known as ZOMO, were paramilitary-police formations during the communist era in Poland. These elite units of Citizens' Militia (MO) were originally created to fight dangerous criminals, to provide security during mass events, and help in the case of natural disasters and other crises; however, they became known instead for their brutal and sometimes repressive lethal actions of riot control and their role in quelling civil rights protests.
| ZOMO Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia | |
|---|---|
| Zmotoryzowane Odwody Milicji Obywatelskiej | |
Patch of the Citizens' Militia (MO) and ZOMO | |
| Active | 1956 – 1989 |
| Disbanded | 7 September 1989 |
| Country | Polish People's Republic |
| Allegiance | Citizens' Militia (MO) |
| Type | Paramilitary police |
| Role | Political coercion, throttling of protests, street and state security |
| Size | 13,000 (1980s) |
| Nickname(s) | "Communist Gestapo", ZOMO-men |
The first ZOMO units were deployed in 1956 and became particularly infamous for their ruthless handling of political opponents under Polish martial law (1981–1983). It was permanently disbanded after the fall of communism in 1989, though the term "ZOMO" remains synonymous with police brutality to this day.