Imperial Gendarmerie (Byzatium)

Imperial Gendarmerie
Βασιλική Χωροφυλακή
The Gendarmerie Granade under Alexios X
Active	1833 - present
Country	Byzantine Empire
Branch	Gendarmerie
Type	Gendarmerie
Role	Law enforcement
Size	463,393 troops (2022)
Garrison/HQ	Costantinople
Nickname(s)	The Greys
Motto(s)	Ασπίδα και Ξίφος της Ρώμης Shield and Sword of Rome
Commanders
Current commander	Minas Matallis
Insignia
Flag

The Imperial Gendarmerie is a military law enforcement organization of the Byzantine Empire with a wide range of responsibilities. It serves as a critical component of the Byzantine Empire's security and law enforcement apparatus, encompassing various missions and duties.

Name

The Greek language is both the official and working language of the Byzantine Empire. Nonetheless, the Imperial Gendarmerie has its own name officially translated into all the recognised languages of the peoples of the Empire:

• Albanian: Keiserlike Gendarmerie, K.G.;
• Armenian: Կայսերական Ժանդարմերիա, Կ.Ժ. (roman transliteration: Kayserakan Zhandarmeria, K.Z.);
• Bulgarian: Царска Жандармерия (roman transliteration: Tsarska Zhandarmeriya, T.Z.);
• Greek: Βασιλική Χωροφυλακή, Β.Χ. (roman transliteration: Basilikí Chorofylakí, B.C.);
• Macedonian: Царска Жандармерија, Ц.Ж. (roman transliteration: Carska Žandarmerija, C.Ž.);
• Serbian: Царска Жандармерија, Ц.Ж. (roman transliteration: Carska Žandarmerija, C.Ž.).

History

The Imperial Gendarmerie was established by John X in 1833 as part of his reform and modernisation plan. In 1889, with the establishment of the Parliamentary Regime, the Imperial Gendarmerie became subordinated to the newly created Ministries of Interior and of Defence.

Mission and Responsibilities

• Military police Tasks: The Imperial Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining discipline and order within the military ranks. This includes conducting investigations into military personnel's conduct and behaviour, overseeing military prisons, and ensuring that military regulations are followed. The Gendarmerie plays a crucial role in upholding discipline and order among the armed forces.
• Border Security: The Gendarmerie is tasked with safeguarding the empire's borders. This includes monitoring and patrolling border regions to prevent illegal crossings, smuggling, and other transgressions. They work to ensure that the empire's territorial integrity is maintained.
• Traffic Policing: The Gendarmerie is responsible for regulating and enforcing traffic laws within the empire. This involves monitoring road safety, issuing fines for traffic violations, and responding to accidents and emergencies on the roads.
• Riot Control: During times of civil unrest or public demonstrations, the Gendarmerie is called upon to manage and control riots. They are trained to respond to large-scale public disturbances, maintaining order and ensuring the safety of citizens.
• Counterterrorism: The Imperial Gendarmerie plays a significant role in counterterrorism efforts. They are involved in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and counterterrorism operations to protect the empire from internal and external threats.
• Rural Policing: Policing in rural areas is a vital responsibility of the Gendarmerie. They ensure law and order in the countryside, addressing criminal activities and maintaining a presence in remote regions.

Cooperation with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Costantinople

There are close and intricate links between the Gendarmerie and the officially-sponsored Orthodox Church, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. These links are based on historical, religious, and political factors. These links serve to maintain social order, reinforce the empire's cultural and religious identity, and promote the church's role in the daily life of the citizenry.

The Imperial Gendarmerie has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of Orthodox Church properties, including churches, monasteries, and other religious sites. This involves providing physical protection, investigating theft or vandalism, and addressing any threats or incidents that affect these religious institutions. The Gendarmerie is therefore involved in safeguarding cultural artifacts, manuscripts, and other items of historical or religious significance.

Within the broader mission of securing the Orthodox Church, the Gendarmerie is tasked with ensuring that religious services and events within the Orthodox Church occur without disruption, preventing any potential disturbances during religious ceremonies or processions. The Imperial Gendarmerie is officially tasked of executing decisions related to the maintenance of religious order in coordination with the clergy. During religious holidays and special events, the Gendarmerie is also tasked to provide security and crowd control to ensure the safety of worshippers and participants. This includes managing large gatherings and processions.

The Gendarmerie collaborates with the Orthodox Church in matters related to moral and ethical conduct in society. This involves enforcing laws or regulations that align with the church's teachings on issues such as family values, marriage, and public morality. In matters related to the interpretation and enforcement of religious and moral laws, there is a substantial degree of cooperation between the Gendarmerie and the church authorities. This cooperation usually involves discussions on how to enforce or interpret laws based on religious principles.

The church and the Gendarmerie have regular consultations on national and regional issues, especially those with a moral or ethical dimension, and work together to address these challenges.

Central Organization

The central organization of the Imperial Gendarmerie is based in Byzantium. It serves as the headquarters for command, coordination, administration, and high-level decision-making.

Commandant General

The Commandant General is the highest-ranking officer of the Imperial Gendarmerie.

Commandant General's office

The Commandant General's office is responsible for overall leadership and strategic planning. It includes:

• Strategic Planning Division: This division focuses on long-term planning, policy development, and strategic coordination with other government agencies.
• Public Relations and Information Office: Handles media relations and public communications to maintain a positive image of the Gendarmerie.

General Staff

The General Staff consists of senior officers who provide advice to the Commandant General and assist in the decision-making process. This staff include the Deputy Commandant General, Chief of Staff, and other key advisors.

Intelligence Division

The Intelligence Division (Διεύθυνση Πληροφοριών, ΔΠ; Diéfthynsi Pliroforión, DP), placed within the central organization, is responsible for gathering and analyzing, and disseminating intelligence related to various security and law enforcement matters to support the operations and missions of the Gendarmerie. The Intelligence Division is instrumental in ensuring the security of the Empire, preserving its cultural and religious values, and providing valuable intelligence to the Gendarmerie and to other security agencies and government authorities.

The Intelligence Division is part of the Gendarmerie Central Command and depends on the Chief of Staff. It acts as the central hub of all information and intelligence gathered and collected by the whole corps.

The primary mission of the Intelligence and Information Division is to gather intelligence through various sources and analyze it to identify potential threats, criminal activities, or other issues relevant to national security and law enforcement. In doing so, the Intelligence Division focuses on preventing activities that may undermine Byzantine core values.

Division Commander

The Intelligence Division is led by a Division Commander, a senior intelligence officer with extensive experience in intelligence operations and analysis. The Division Commander is responsible for overseeing all intelligence activities within the division. The Division Commander is assisted by a Divisional Staff.

Intelligence Collection Unit

The Intelligence Collection Unit collects information through various means, including human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (SIGINT, IMINT).

The Intelligence Collection Unit controls comprises multiple Intelligence Gathering Teams, each led by a Team Leader (usually a senior subofficer or a subaltern officer formerly a subofficer). These teams are responsible for collecting intelligence through various means, including human sources, technical means, and open sources.

Analysis and Assessment Section

THe Analysis and Assessment Unit is responsible for analyzing collected intelligence, assessing its credibility, and providing actionable information and insights to the gendarmerie decision-makers.

Within the Analysis and Assessment Section, the Counterterrorism Unit focuses on counterterrorism efforts, including surveillance and counterterrorism operations.

Information Management and Dissemination Section

The Information Management and Dissemination Section is responsible for managing the Intelligence Division's information databases and disseminating intelligence to relevant gendarmerie units, as well as to other agencies, and authorities to support their operations.

Cyber Intelligence and Cybersecurity Section

The Intelligence Division has a specialized unit dedicated to cyber intelligence, focusing on monitoring online activities, cybersecurity, and tracking potential cyber threats.

The Cyber Intelligence and Cybersecurity Section focuses on monitoring online activities, identifying cyber threats, and protecting the gendarmerie's digital infrastructure from potential attacks.

Training and Education Section

The Intelligence Division provides training to its own personnel on intelligence gathering, analysis, and security measures, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious values. The division provides specialized training to its personnel in intelligence gathering, analysis, and security measures.

Security Unit

The Security Unit is tasked with identifying and countering espionage and intelligence activities by foreign or domestic entities that may threaten national security.

Central Criminal Investigation Unit

This unit, located at the central organization in the Byzantium, focuses on complex criminal investigations, including organized crime, major fraud, and cases with a regional or national impact. It collaborates with other law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

• Forensics and Evidence Collection: A specialized team within the division is responsible for collecting and analyzing physical evidence, fingerprints, DNA, and other forensic work that aids in solving crimes.
• Cybercrime Unit: With the rise of digital crimes, a dedicated unit focuses on investigating cybercrimes, computer hacking, and online fraud.

Central Disaster Relief Coordination Center

This center, based in the central organization, coordinates disaster response efforts across the empire. It monitors disaster situations and deploys resources as needed.

Counter-Terrorism Special Unit

The Counter-Terrorism Special Unit (Ειδική Μονάδα Αντιτρομοκρατικής, Ε.Μ.Α., Eidikí Monáda Antitromokratikís, E.M.A.) of the Imperial Gendarmerie is the is the elite police tactical unit responsible for preventing and responding to terrorist threats. This unit is crucial for safeguarding national security and ensuring the preservation of the nation's cultural, religious, and political values.

The unit collaborates closely with other law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, and military units to coordinate efforts to combat terrorism. Such collaboration is essential for a unified response to any threats. The Counter-Terrorism Special Unit plays a critical role in protecting the nation from terrorist threats while ensuring that its cultural, religious, and political values remain intact. It operates with a deep understanding of the nation's unique circumstances, providing the expertise and capability to address the evolving challenges posed by terrorism in a way that aligns with the nation's specific values and priorities.

Mission

The primary mission of the Counter-Terrorism Special Unit is to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist activities that could threaten the nation's security, stability, and values.
The Counter-Terrorism Special Unit is equipped and prepared to respond rapidly to terrorist incidents, including hostage situations, bombings, or armed attacks. Specialized equipment, vehicles, and communication systems are at their disposal to ensure an effective response.

The Counter-Terrorism Speecial Unit places a strong emphasis on understanding the religious and cultural aspects of potential threats. This sensitivity is vital in dealing with extremist groups and individuals who may seek to exploit religious or cultural differences.

Training

Members of the Counter-Terrorism Special Unit are highly trained in various aspects of counter-terrorism, including intelligence gathering, hostage rescue, and response to terrorist incidents. Training includes specialized tactics, firearms proficiency, explosive device handling, and martial arts.

Regular training exercises and drills are conducted to ensure that unit members are prepared for a range of scenarios. This includes exercises in urban warfare, hostage rescue, and crisis management.

Organisation

E.M.A. is currently organized in four "Units", an Engineering and Support Division, and a Human Resources Bureau, under two headquarters (administrative and operational):

• Intervention Unit;
• Observation & Search Unit;
• Security & Protection Unit;
• Provincial Branches Unit: serves as headquarters for the fourteen regional GIGN branches;
• Intelligence and Support Unit;
• Engineering and Support Division.

Helicopter support is provided by Gendarmerie helicopters and, for tactical deployment of large groups, by the Army.

The sixteen regional E.M.A. branches, as well as the twenty nuclear protection units, located on site at each one of the nuclear power plants, operate under the E.M.A. operational control.
Coordination between E.M.A. and the police special counterrorism apparatus is handled by a joint organization called Intervention Forces Coordination Office. A "leader/follower" protocol has been established for use when both units need to be engaged jointly, leadership belonging to the unit operating in its primary areas of responsibility.

Intervention Unit

The Intervention Unit consists of approximately 150 Gendarmes, serving as the E.M.A.'s main assault unit. It is divided into five Platoons, two of which are on alert at all times. These Platoons are further divided into individual teams of operators. Two of the intervention Platoons specialize in high altitude jumps; the other three specialize in diving.

Security & Protection Unit

The Security & Protection Unit consists of approximately 95 operators, specializing in executive and sensitive site protection.

Observation & Search Unit

The Observation & Search Unit consists of approximately 60 Gendarmes, specializing in reconnaissance in relation with judiciary police work, and counterterrorism.

Intelligence and Support Unit

The unit is supported by a dedicated intelligence and analysis division that focuses on monitoring potential terrorist threats. It collaborates with other intelligence agencies and regional commands to gather information. The supporting intelligence unit assesses the credibility and seriousness of threats and provides actionable intelligence to the unit.

The unit actively works to intercept potential terrorists, whether they are foreign or domestic threats, and prevent them from carrying out their plans. This involves monitoring and investigation, often in cooperation with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The unit conducts thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential targets within the nation that may be attractive to terrorists. Steps are taken to mitigate these risks, which include increased security measures at critical locations.

Military Police Division

The Military Police Division (Greek: Διεύθυνση Στρατιωτικής Αστυνομίας, ΔΣΑ; Diéfthynsi Stratiotikís Astynomías, DSA) within the Imperial Gendarmerie is a specialized unit responsible for maintaining discipline, security, and law enforcement within the armed forces. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that the military operates in alignment with the nation's values and traditions.

The Military Police Division is essential for maintaining discipline and security within the armed forces while ensuring that the military operates in alignment with the nation's cultural, religious, and legal values. It plays a significant role in upholding the nation's specific principles and priorities within the military.

Mission

The primary mission of the Military Police Division is to enforce military law and discipline within the Byzantine Armed Forces. This includes addressing infractions, maintaining order, and ensuring adherence to military regulations. The division conducts investigations into military offenses and legal matters, supporting the enforcement of military law and justice.

The DSA ensures that the military operates in alignment with the nation's Orthodox Christian values and traditions, preserving the integrity of the armed forces, provides security and protection for military installations, personnel, and equipment, safeguarding them from threats and unauthorised access.

The DSA regulates traffic within military bases and enforces road safety measures, aiming to reduce accidents and injuries.

The DSA also manage detention and correction facilities for military offenders, ensuring that their confinement and rehabilitation are carried out in accordance with legal and religious principles.

The Military Police Division engages with military personnel, offering guidance on discipline, law enforcement, and adherence to the nation's values and traditions. The Military Police Division may collaborate with civil law enforcement agencies, and especially the other branches of the Imperial Gendarmerie, in particular when military personnel are involved in civilian legal matters.

Organisation

The Military Police Division is organized into several key components, each with specific roles and responsibilities:

• Division Commander
• Military Police Companies
• Detention Organisation Command: the Command manages and runs all military prisons.
• Traffic Control Section: This section focuses on regulating traffic within military bases and enforcing road safety measures to prevent accidents.
• Investigation and Legal Affairs Unit: the unit is responsible for conducting inquiries and investigations into major military offences and legal matters within the armed forces;
• Intelligence and Security Unit;
• Training Unit: the Unit provides specialised training to its personnel on specific topics. This Unit is not part of the Training Command but it is supervised by the Inspector of Specialist Training.

Division Commander

The division is led by a Division Commander, often a senior officer with extensive experience in military law enforcement. The Division Commander is responsible for overseeing all military police operations within the armed forces.

Military Police Companies

The Military Police Division delegates its field police work to multiple Military Police Companies, each led by a Company Commander. These companies are responsible for law enforcement and discipline within their designated military formations, ships or bases.

Within each Army Corps, Military Police Companies are grouped into administrative Battalions. In turn, Battalions of the same Field Army are grouped into a single Military Police Brigade. The Military Police Brigade includes a K-9 Unit and a EOD Unit.

Internal Control Division

The Internal Control Division (Greek: Διεύθυνση Εσωτερικού Ελέγχου ΔEE; Diéfthynsi Esoterikoú Elénchou, DEE) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating and ensuring the integrity, ethics, and compliance of gendarmerie personnel. This division plays a vital role in maintaining transparency, accountability, and public trust in the gendarmerie. The division handles complaints and reports from both internal and external sources, ensuring a fair and thorough review of each case.
The Internal Control Division directly depends on the Commandant General and it is instrumental in maintaining the integrity and ethical conduct of gendarmerie personnel while upholding the nation's cultural, religious, and moral values. It plays a significant role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust in the gendarmerie, contributing to its effectiveness and public support.
The Division works closely with the Legal Affairs and Religious Compliance Department to ensure that all internal affairs investigations adhere to legal and religious principles.

Division Tasks

The Internal Control Division is primarily tasked with investigation of allegations of misconduct, ethical violations, and criminal activities involving gendarmerie personnel. In carrying out this duty, the Division plays a crucial role in upholding Byzantium's cultural, religious, and moral values by ensuring that gendarmerie personnel adhere to the predefinite ethical standards.

By conducting internal investigations, the division helps maintain accountability and transparency within the gendarmerie force, reinforcing public trust and emphasizing the importance of adherence to both legal and religious principles.

Organisation

The Internal Control Division is organized into several key components, each with specific roles and responsibilities. Under the Division Commander there are a Division Staff, a Central Office and multiple Investigation Teams.

Division Commander

The division is led by a Division Commander, typically a Major General with extensive experience in law enforcement and internal affairs investigations. The Division Commander oversees all internal affairs operations and reports directly to the Commandant General of the Gendarmerie.

Central Office

The Central Office groups all services centrally managed by the Division. Alongside a Command Unit, it includes:

• Complaints and Reporting Section: this section is responsible for receiving and processing complaints and reports from both gendarmerie personnel and the public regarding misconduct or unethical behaviour by gendarmerie officers.
  • Whistleblower Protection Unit: this specialized unit is to protect and support whistleblowers who come forward with information about wrongdoing within the gendarmerie. The Whistleblower Protection Unit encourages individuals to come forward with information about wrongdoing while ensuring their safety and confidentiality.
  • Evidence and Documentation Unit: this unit is responsible for collecting, preserving, and cataloging evidence related to internal affairs investigations, ensuring the integrity of the investigative process.
• Legal Affairs and Compliance Section: this section works closely with legal experts to ensure that internal affairs investigations adhere to both legal and religious principles.

Investigation Teams

The division comprises multiple Investigation Teams, each led by a Team Leader (usually a senior subofficer). These teams are responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct and violations of gendarmerie regulations.

Territorial Organization

The Imperial Gendarmerie's territorial organization is the operational focus of the Imperial Gendarmerie. The terriorial organisation, while lacking of an unified management body, is crucial for effectively carrying out its duties across the empire. Given the vast territory under its jurisdiction, there is a need for decentralized operational units.

Provincial Commands

The Empire is divided into provinces, each headed by a Provincial Command, which is usually led by a high-ranking officer, often referred to as the Provincial Commandant. Provincial Commands serve as regional hubs for law enforcement and security operations.

The Provincial Commands of the Gendarmerie are responsible for law enforcement and security within the relevant Province. These Provincial Commands are essential for implementing the policies and strategies set by the Central Command.

Provincial Commander

Each Provincial Command is led by a Provincial Commander, who holds the rank of Brigadier to Lieutenant general and is responsible for all law enforcement and security operations within the Province. The Provincial Commander reports to the Central Command, ensuring alignment with national policies and values.

Provincial Commanders work closely with local government officials and other law enforcement agencies operating within their Province of responsibility.

Organisation

Provincial Commands are in charge of large areas and they mainly provide support and command functions to Eparchy Commands. The Provincial Commander directly control a variety of Units and Offices:

• Provincial Staff
• Provincial Criminal Investigation Division;
• Logistical and Support Division: in order to maintain operational readiness, the territorial organization includes logistics and support units responsible for providing equipment, transportation, and other resources to the field units.
• Border Security Units: deployed along the external borders, these units ensure border security and integrity.
• Traffic Police Command: Responsible for traffic policing and road safety within the province.
• Riot Control Units: each Provincial Command maintains several Riot Control Units under the professional guidance of the Riot Control Units Division.
• Rural Policing Command: Maintain law and order in rural areas.
• Territorial Disaster Response Team

Depending on the specific security challenges faced in different provinces, specialized task forces may be established. These could include anti-smuggling units, special counterterrorism teams, and other units tailored to regional needs.

Provincial Criminal Investigation Division

In each Province there is a dedicated Criminal Investigation Bureaus responsible for investigating serious crimes such as homicides, drug trafficking, and major thefts. These Divisions work closely with local and Eparchy units.

Territorial Disaster Response Team

Each Provincial Command maintain its own Disaster Response Team, responsible for responding to disasters within their respective areas. These teams would be equipped with personnel, equipment, and vehicles for search and rescue, medical support, and general disaster relief.

• Medical and First Aid Units: This division would include medical personnel and paramedics who can provide immediate medical assistance to disaster victims. They may operate mobile medical units.
• Search and Rescue Units: These teams are trained in urban and wilderness search and rescue techniques. They can locate and extract survivors from disaster-stricken areas.
• Emergency Evacuation Teams: In the event of large-scale disasters, these teams manage the evacuation of affected populations to safe areas, including temporary shelters.
• Logistics and Supply Coordination: This section ensures that essential supplies, such as food, water, and blankets, are delivered to disaster areas promptly.
• Communication and Information Center: In the event of disasters, this unit maintains communication with affected regions, emergency services, and other relevant agencies to ensure coordinated response efforts.

Eparchy Commands

Within each Provincial Command, there are Eparchy Commands and local units responsible for patrolling and policing specific areas. These units are often the first responders to local incidents and emergencies. Eparchy Commands are divisions of the Provincial Command that are responsible for more localized operations. They may align with Eparchies. In some cases, especially in south-eastern Serbia or in Dalmatia Provinces, several Eparchies may be policed by a single Eparchy Command. In the latter case, the Eparchy Command takes the more generic designation of "Territorial Command".

These Eparchy Commands serve as the main operational focus of the Gendarmerie within the Province. Eparchy Commands are responsible for enforcing the law, preserving cultural and religious values, and protecting the nation's customs and traditions within their specific jurisdictions.

Eparchy Commands play a central role in law enforcement and security within their areas of responsibility, focusing on maintaining public order and safety, enforcing national and provincial laws and regulations in alignment with national values, protecting cultural and religious sites and traditions, combating crime, including financial crimes and customs violations, and providing support during emergencies and disasters.

Eparchy Commands serve as the main operational focus within each Province, where local officers uphold the nation's principles and priorities, providing a critical link between the Central Command's policies and the local communities they police.

Eparchy Commander

The Eparchy Commander reports to the Provincial Commander and, for matters related to local governance, to the relevant Eparch. The Eparchy Commander oversees law enforcement activities within his respective Eparchy.

Organisation

Each Eparchy Command is organized into various departments or divisions, which are responsible for specific functions:

• Civil Police Division: focused on general law enforcement and public safety.
• Customs and Border Protection Division: enforces customs and border protection laws.
• Financial Crimes Division: investigates financial crimes and tax evasion.
• Traffic Police Division: Regulates local traffic and enforces road safety.
• Cultural Heritage Protection Unit: safeguards local cultural and religious sites and traditions.
• Intelligence Unit: Gathers and analyzes intelligence specific to the district.
• Public Relations Unit: Manages communication with the local community and media.
• Archontate Companies.

See also

• Law enforcement in the Byzantine Empire (Byzatium)