the placement of the upp inside a favela is a two stage process  - the first step is the removal of the local drug dealers and their gangs via another special force in rio - the bope (batalhão de operações policiais especiais), a special task police force made famous by the movies tropa de elite.

the spectacular bope invasion of the complexo do alemão was televised worldwide as it was taking place, keeping the city on edge for the duration of the invasion.

once this initial removal of criminal organizations is completed, the upp was placed inside the now liberated favela for an undetermined period, in order to supervise and maintain the safety conditions necessary for effective urbanization work.