RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro has created a special police battalion to help control violent demonstrations expected during the upcoming World Cup and other large sporting and cultural events held in the city’s public venues.
The battalion will be composed of about 500 specially trained officers recruited from police units statewide.
Rio’s Maracana stadium will host seven World Cup games including the July 13 final.
Last June, violent protests erupted around Brazil against bus fare hikes, corruption, poor public services and the billions of dollars being spent on the World Cup and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Rio saw some of the most violent demonstrations.
Brazil announced last week that 10,000 members of an elite federal security force will help better control demonstrations expected throughout the country during the World Cup.
