Law enforcement in Arvor

Law enforcement in Arvor is exercised through a nationwide network of police arranged in a multi-tier system of subsidiary agencies, each with specific areas of responsibility and authority.

Overview

All law enforcement in the Arvorian Democratic Republic (ADR) is regulated according to statutes inculcated in the National Book of Codes, as passed by the Congress of People's Deputies. Regardless of the level of police involved, all are required to work within the same standards of behaviour, operations, and handling of situations as they arise.

The police (Arvorian: politsiya) of the nation are granted certain powers to enable them to execute their duties. Their primary objectives are the protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, and detection and prevention of criminal offences. In the Arvorian model of policing, officers exercise these powers to police with the implicit consent of the public, a concept known as "policing by consent". It expresses that the legitimacy of policing in the eyes of the public is based upon a general consensus of support that follows from transparency about their powers, their integrity in exercising those powers and their accountability for doing so.

Qualification and training

In order to serve in law enforcement in the ADR, an individual is required to be at least 21 years of age, of a reasonable standard of physical fitness, with good health and eyesight. Previous military experience is preferred, but not required. Similarly, a minimum of an associate degree is preferred, but not required. Each applicant is first required to appear before a civil examination board consisting of two volunteer civilians and an active-duty police officer of the rank of sergeant (or detective sergeant). The board asks a range of specific questions regarding the applicant's background, any potential personal issues, and the like. The sergeant on the board also asks a range of stress questions designed to test the prospective officer's responses. After each interview, the board rates the interviewee on a scale of one to five.

After being passed by the civil examination board, the applicant must complete a form detailing their personal history. It asks for information regarding the applicant's marital background, family history, financial history, residential history for the previous decade, work history, military and educational record, arrest and military discipline record, and medical history. The applicant must be very detailed and precise in completion of the form, as it is the basis for an intensive background investigation, and any questionable discrepancy can potentially derail their chances at being accepted for police training and service. This investigation is conducted primarily by the police, though assistance can be rendered as required by the Central Directorate of State Security (GUGB). In the event an investigation requires involvement with the Armed Forces, requests for information are processed by the Ministry of Defence. Once the primary background investigation is completed, if accepted, the applicant must undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Each oblast of the ADR maintains its own police academy, to which applicants who successfully pass the civil examination board and personal history investigation must attend. This programme runs for sixteen weeks and includes courses in the various facets of law (including constitutional law, civil rights, and police ethics), patrol, traffic control, firearm usage, self-defence, first aid, and emergency response. Passing the academy requires receiving a minimum grade of 3.75 on three examinations - one oral, one written, and one physical. During the course of the academy, each cadet meets fortnightly with their adviser for progress reviews of their performance. After successful completion of the academy, new officers work as probationary constables for two years, during which time they receive additional on the job practical training and guidance from an experienced constable who they are partnered with.

Agencies

• Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • Main Directorate of Border Troops (GUPV)
  • Main Directorate of Customs Control (GUTK)

• Ministry of Justice
  • Main Corrections Administration (GUIU)
  • National Investigative Commission (NSK)
  • National Police of Arvor (Politsiya, PA)

• Ministry of Defence
  • Main Directorate of the Military Police (GUVP)

Tiers of jurisdiction

National

The highest tier of law enforcement authority, police at this level have nationwide jurisdiction and can go where needed, as needed, in order to handle criminal situations or to track down suspects. The most prominent organisation at this level is the National Police, who serve as the national gendarmerie of the ADR. They operate under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. Units can be seen regularly on patrol along the national motorways (the A roads), while dedicated units provide security at international airports and railway stations.

Oblast

Each of the forty-eight oblasts of the ADR has its own dedicated police force (областная полиция, "obpolitsiya). The personnel who make up these forces provide provincial law enforcement, patrol the A roads, and provide backup to raion and gorod police forces within their jurisdiction as needed or requested.

Raion

Every raion in the ADR has its own police force (районная полиция, raypolitsiya). These officers are dedicated to service in that part of the oblast, responsible for local law enforcement and public safety. They fulfill a variety of duties, are widely considered the "immediate front line" of law enforcement in the nation, and those officers whom the public sees the most of. They regularly patrol and assist the municipalities (gorods).

Gorod

Most municipalities in the ADR receive their policing services from the raion police, but the major cities of the nation - such as Cherenovsk, Sevestroma, and others - each have their own dedicated police force (городская полиция, gorodpolitsiya). While they can call upon raion or oblast support in an emergency, theirs is the primary jurisdiction within the municipal limits, and they maintain all of the necessary branches and personnel to meet any and all needs. Smaller municipalities (towns and villages) will have a local precinct office of the raion police. These personnel maintain local law and order and, like the cities, can call upon the raion headquarters for investigative and support services if and when needed.

Structure

Ranks

All police forces in the ADR have an identical ranking structure for their personnel. Some ranks may be less common, depending on the size of the precinct. Any personnel who have passed the investigator's examination and are serving with Criminal Investigations will have "Detective" placed at the front of their rank. This distinction applies to anyone of the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.

• Superintendent: oversees all police business within a gorod/raion/oblast, they are appointed and approved by the gorodkom/raikom/obkom.
• Deputy superintendent: the top subordinate to the superintendent.
• Colonel: area commanders within the obpolitsiya.
• Major: precinct commanders in the obpolitsiya and area commanders in the raypolitsiya.
• Captain: precinct commanders in raypolitsiya and area commanders in the obpolitsiya.
• Lieutenant: precinct commanders in the gorodpolitsiya and watch shift supervisors in the raypolitsiya.
• Sergeant: watch shifts in the gorodpolitsiya.
• Corporal: experienced troopers, typically with three to five years of experience, acting as field supervisors of watch patrols in the gorodpolitsiya.
• Trooper: rank and file police officers.

Branches

Police forces throughout the nation have an identical structure. In the event of a serious criminal occurrence, a lower-level precinct can call upon the services of the next level force above them for additional support if and when needed.

• Superintendent's Office
• General Operations
  • Officers handle administrative services, intelligence, internal affairs, and public relations.
• Criminal Investigations
  • Officers handle criminal investigative activities. It is divided into numerous investigations squads - fraud, juvenile, narcotics, organised crime, robbery/homicide, and vice.
• Enforcement
  • Officers handle patrol, special operations, and traffic detail.
• Support
  • Officers handle communications services, scientific investigations, and training.

Equipment

All Arvorian police officers carry two pairs of speedcuffs, a collapsible ASP baton, and a bottle of incapacitant spray. They are also armed with a 9mm semi-automatic PZ-229 Olusha pistol. It is very rare that an Arvorian police officer will draw their weapon, much less use it; in 7689 RH, police precincts nationwide reported a total of less than 40 instances of firearms being discharged.

In uncommon emergency situations, an armed response team (вооруженная группа реагирования, VGR) can be summoned from the raion police for additional support. These units, consisting of six constables, come equipped with 9mm pistols as well as the 5.56 automatic AG-44 Alebarda carbine.

Benefits

All police officers nationwide have the same benefits and privileges as do all employed citizens. They are given four weeks of paid vacation per year (excluding bank holidays) and have access to eight weeks of sick leave. They work four 10-hour days and then have three days off. Their pay is determined by a combination of their rank and seniority. When they have served a minimum of 25 years, they can retire with a pension.

There are also strict rules which govern how all police must behave. They cannot drink alcoholic beverages or smoke while on duty. They are strictly forbidden from taking any sort of gifts or gratuities and are expected to show respect and compassion while ensuring the law is observed and that crime is not tolerated. On the flip side, every luncheonette (обеденная зона) and self-service cafeteria (кафетерий самообслуживания) in the nation offers on-duty police officers a 25% discount on their meal, which they are permitted to accept.

Citizen' rights

In accordance with the Bill of Guarantees of the Common Charter, all citizens of the ADR have specific unalienable rights which the Charter and the Bill make clear are inviolable and sacrosanct. These are made clear in the training of all police officers at all levels. They include:

• The right to speak freely on any and all current and important issues without fear of political or social retalation.
• The right to legal representation during any police questioning and other court proceedings.
• The right to maintain their silence.
• The right to a speedy, impartial trial.
• The right to confront their accuser.

Request for identification

Police are authorised to lawfully order people whom they reasonably suspect of a crime to identify themselves. If there is not reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed, an individual can lawfully decline to provide identification. When required to do so, citizens simply show the inquiring officer or officers their identification card.

Right to silence

Every citizen, whenever police arrest them, are given the "right to silence" caution: "(Person's name), I am arresting you (on suspicion of / for) (criminal offence(s)). You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely upon in court. Anything you do say will be recorded and may be given in evidence."