The
constitution of Costa Rica prohibits armed forces, which
we dissolved in 1949. The Public Force is under the Ministry
of Public Security. The General Directorate of the Public
Forces acts as the HQs for a number of police organisations
which operate on geographic command basis performing ground
security, law enforcement, counter-narcotics and border
patrol functions. The manpower of the Police Armed Forces
of Costa Rica is around 9,500 personnel.