Law Enforcement in Kouralia
Law enforcement in the Royal Union of Kouralia is carried out in the first instance by Territorial Watches (Vygelas Astycus in High Kouralian). These are civilian police services which cover given geographic areas depending on traditional local government districts. They are responsible for providing a full spectrum of policing from emergency response and community cohesion to tactical armed operations and investigation of serious and organised crime. Where appropriate, these Territorial Watches will work with supporting agencies such as the Treasury Guard or Crown Waterguard in order to give a capability which they do not usually possess.
Principles of Law Enforcement
Law enforcement in Kouralia is carried out in line with the principle of collective consent to be so policed. Thus 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. This consent, however is implicit rather than explicit and cannot be revoked in a given situation by specific members of the public.
Safeguarding and Vulnerability
The main priority of policing in Kouralia is the preservation of life and property, followed closely by maintenance of order and presentation of evidence before a court. Given the order these priorities come in, it is natural to see that Kouralian police put a much greater emphasis on protecting victims of crime and keeping communities safe over prosecuting offenders.
In this vein identifying and managing vulnerability is regarded as one of the most important skills and tasks for a Kouralian Watchman. Whether it be identifying domestic abuse or child neglect indicators, locating and ensuring the safety of persons missing from home, or appropriately diverting offenders from the criminal justice system toward healthcare or education disposals, it is held that the ultimate test of police success is the absence of crime and the safety of the public - not the visibility of the police in achieving those goals. High risk missing persons, especially children, are often regarded as a priority above and beyond criminal investigations for this reason. Watchmen will often fill in referrals of particular individuals' and groups' cases to multi-agency panels which can identify and supply support where policial services are not the most appropriate lead agency.
While safeguarding and vulnerability is regarded as core business for all Watch roles, all Watches possess a 'Public Protection Unit' which consists of specialist detectives and civilian staff who have responsibility for serious Safeguarding cases. This can include high risk missing persons, sexual offences, prostitution and modern slavery, abuse and neglect - whether 'standard' domestic and child abuse or cultural abuses such as honour-based violence.
Local Primacy
Local primacy doctrine puts the Prefect of the relevant Territorial Watch as the supreme law enforcement professional when it comes to matters within that prefecture. This means that while the Treasury Guard or regional crime squads can operate within a given area, they cannot seize investigations from the local watch or otherwise 'pull rank' on them. However the Prefect of a local watch cannot issue orders to another organisation's personnel, for example if an external professional standards investigation into his force is ordered by the Justiciar of Public Safety.
Despite this all law enforcement personnel in Kouralia have authority when on and off duty, regardless as to which prefecture they are in. It also does not matter which Province they are in, as all criminal offences are produced by nation-wide statute law from the Senate of Kurton so, aside from where local authorities authorise drinks banning zones or make use of specific powers, there are no regional variations in criminal law.
Multi-agency work
All government agencies work closely in terms of multi-agency partnerships. This is because it is recognised that while a problem may first be identified by a particular organisation, that organisation may not have the full picture and then may also not be the best placed to give the problem a positive resolution. An example of these is a 'Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub' which is a team of social workers and watch constables who will work together to review measures taken and referrals for further safeguarding of particular individuals. This can then call a 'Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference' in cases of extremely high risk, which will likely be attended by education, housing, probation, healthcare and other local agencies in order to identify what can be done to safeguard the people involved.
The most common partnership working tends to be with mental health services, as irrational behaviour threatening the safety of oneself or others is highly likely to draw an immediate Watch response - but can only be correctly addressed by mental health professionals.
Variations
There are a large number of watches in Kouralia, which are typically aligned with a unitary district or County-level administrative division. Many Prefectures were smaller than this, going down to the Borough, Hundred, District or Riding levels of local authority. However as technology marched on, and both command and control processes and crimes became more complex, it became much more economical for Watches to settle around 3-10,000 personnel in size.
Within each Province of Kouralia one Watch takes the role of 'Principal Provincial Watch' and coordinates certain highly niche capabilities such as personal protection of dignitaries and officials. This is usually the Watch within whose Prefecture falls the Capital of the Province and the Governor's House and Provincial Assembly. If that city isn't the largest, then it will usually encompass sufficient surrounding rural areas and other towns to make it the largest Watch by numbers. Within the Province there may be other larger Watches which are responsible for cities surrounded by particularly sparsely populated Prefectures with less resources for specialist capabilities. These may enter into a Strategic Partnership with the 'Lead Watch' that provides the capability (e.g. specialist firearms units) in exchange for funding and seconded officers.
Organisation
Rank Structure
Each Territorial Watch comes under the authority of a Prefect, and their Vys-Prefect. These two officers and a group of portfolio-oriented Commanders, and potentially Vys-Commanders form the Prefectural Officer Group of the Watch, and are responsible for setting strategic direction, making executive level decisions, and acting as strategic commanders for major operations and incidents. Generally, the portfolios are Territorial Policing, Operational Policing, and Criminal Investigation.
Each of these portfolio areas is divided into smaller units, such as a 'City Centre Division', 'Scientific Support Division', or 'West Ridings Division' which is led by a Captain, and who is assisted by a senior leadership team of Centenaers and Commissioners, some of whom may have responsibility for subordinate commands such as specific Watch Commissions. A Vyntenaer is the highest rank generally on duty 24/7, and is usually the first rung on the ladder for a Watch Constable looking to gain authorisation to make use of a particular investigative tool. Watchmasters and Sergeants-At-Arms act as seniority grades of the line supervisory position of Watch Sergeant. Below this the grades of Exon and Chosen Man are seniority grades of the position of Watch Constable.
Departments and Units
As above, at the executive level the organisation tends to be divided into Portfolio Areas, such as 'Investigation'. Within these areas will be a number of specialisms depending on force priorities and size. Larger forces will have the ability to sustain more specialist units, and group them together into other smaller Executive-level Departments, Commands or Directorates - usually under the command of a Vys-Commander. Smaller forces may have such specialist departments reduced in size to a single squad under a significantly more junior officer or share such a capability through a Strategic Partnership - if they have that capability at all. Below Portfolios or Executive Departments come Divisions, usually led by Captains and above. Within Territorial Policing these will be geographically based such as 'City Centre Division', whereas within Investigative or Operational Portfolio Areas they will tend to be based around a particular specialism, like the 'Diplomatic Protection Division'.
Below Divisions within Territorial Policing come the Places of Place-Based Policing, which are central focal points of larger Watch Stations termed 'Commissions' and headed by a full Commissioner. Smaller Watch Houses can exist and can even be staffed 24/7 and offer the full services required by Statute to operate from a Commission, however they are not defined within Statute and in some financially-challenged areas the provision of more localised services is being cut. Within Operational and Investigative Policing this level is generally served by Squads or 'Units' or 'Teams' which are vaguely defined as sub-divisions of a particular capability, usually under a more junior commanding officer.
Regarding terminology: while Portfolio Area, Executive Department, Division, Place, and Squad are defined in Statute, individual Watches will name their formations as appropriate. One may have a Highways Division where another has a Road Policing Unit where another has a Safer Transport Command - even if all are operating at the 'Division' level.
Equipment
Personal Issue
Each Watchman is required by law to be issued with, and to 'parade on' with their Appointments. This consists of their handcuffs and key, their pocket notebook and two writing implements, and any Issued Arms. As a standard, these Issued Arms will consist of a semi-automatic pistol and two additional magazines, an extendable baton, and an electroshock weapon and irritant spray for less-lethal incapacitation of subjects. The standard sidearm of most Watches is the Crown Arsenal ASP .455(k), a license-built Anemosian Arsenal Demios ASP Police. As standard the baton is a 40cm-long button-lock extendable device with a retention cap and strap and foam grips. Public order officers can make use of full-length solid shaft truncheons, and smaller covert batons are available for officers who need them. Friction-lock batons are forbidden for officer safety concerns. The standard electroshock weapon is a dual-cartridge conducted energy weapon selected for its redundancy, but more effective weight compared to three-shot solutions. The standard irritant spray is known as 'PAVA': a more precise synthetic spray significantly more potent than CS gas and less likely to catch fire when a CEW is discharged concurrently to its use.
Officers will usually also carry a compact torch, leg restraints, a small first aid kit to assist in immediate stemming of serious bleeding wounds, and nitrile gloves and hand sanitisers for use when searching, conducting first aid, and handling evidence. All officers possess personal issue encrypted radios, though may not use them depending on operational requirements. Since 2015 a nation-wide programme of equipping all officers with encrypted phablets has proceeded well, and is now considered to be complete. All officers can now search Watch systems, make referrals to partner agencies, make notes on an electronic pocket note book, and issue tickets and fill out forms on the go. This reduces officer time spent in Station Houses. Roads Policing officers may also have personal issue breathalysers, otherwise they should be issued for every liveried vehicle. A pool of hardened laptops is available for use by Watchmen at most Commissions, however the ease and mobility of issue mobile devices has negated their effectiveness somewhat.
Body armour is also a national standard piece of personal protective equipment, whether worn overtly or in a more compact and covert under-clothing style. Appointments may be worn on a duty belt, a torso chest rig, or on an under-arm harness for wear under clothing. Historically body armour was worn according to personal preference or would be prescribed for specific operations depending on risk and threat assessments, however since the turn of the century the wear of it has become mandatory.
Vehicle Fleets
All Watches operate a number of Motor vehicles for territorial patrol and operational and investigative teams, as well as a number of more specialist mechanically propelled vehicles such as air and marine support. These vehicle tend to share a livery theme, though there is no national standard. Typically vehicles are white, silver or black, with reflective blue and bronze striping and writing. They will feature a roof-top lightbar which illuminates in flashing blue, and has side 'alley' lights, and rear red lights to indicate the vehicle is stationary, and other lights such as those within the front grille. 'Unmarked' cars will lack liveries, but will usually feature concealed sirens and lighting units. Roads Policing vehicles may feature rear LED matrix displays to communicate with other motorists.
There are a wide range of motor vehicles which are used by Watches, with a few detailed as follows:
- Incident Response Vehicles, nicknamed Gazelles, are used by Immediate Response sections, and are usually picked for their durability as they must be able to run almost continuously on a 24/7 shift pattern. Most commonly, these are five-door estate cars to ensure they can carry the necessary equipment. They may feature a rear-seat
- Area Patrol Vehicles, nicknamed Owls, are used by Local Policing Teams, and are typically selected for economy as they do not usually respond to incidents - though they should always be outfitted with lighting and equipment to facilitate this.
- Section Vans, nicknamed Buffalos, are smaller vans which have much of their rear filled with a cage to securely transport detained persons.
- Carriers are larger full-size vans for officer transport. They can usually carry eight-to-ten officers, as well as public order equipment or other bulky gear and a small secure cage for a single detainee. Carrier chassis are often also common with Command Vehicles of various stripes.
- Armed Response Vehicles, nicknamed Panthers, are high performance vehicles - usually 4x4 - which will also contain a secure safe for stowing long-arms and other specialist arms operation gear.
- Roads Intercept Vehicles are high performance 4x4s or estates which are primarily intended for use on trunk roads or motorways, or for carrying out high speed pursuits by specialist advanced drivers.
The Treasury Guard operates a national Treasury Air Service which consists of a number of helicopters and aeroplanes which can be deployed from bases throughout Kouralia in support of Territorial Watches or other Law Enforcement Operations.
Territorial Watches with large waterways in their area may have a Marine Division to complement Crown Waterguard public safety operations. These will use RHIBs and small patrol boats.
Uniform
As with vehicle liveries there is no standard nation-wide for uniforms, however most are very similar. The colour blue is central, of the hue known as 'Justice Blue' in Kouralia, and black cloth, brown leather, white metal, or bronze metal is a common secondary. Uniforms are typically divided into a number of Numbers of Dress allowing staff to be readily informed what they should wear.
- Full Dress is worn very rarely, and almost exclusively by executive-level officers. It features a closed collar, bronze braiding, and numerous other embellishments. It will often be worn with either a plumed helmet and cuirass, or a cocked hat. This is only ever worn for high occasions of state, for example by the Prefect of the Royal Estates Watch at the coronation of a new monarch. This dress will often be worn with a sword, aiguillettes and a waist sash.
- No.1, or Parade Dress is usually worn by executive officers, or by officers on public facing patrol and security duties in the vicinity of important buildings such as the Senate in Kurton. It consists of a peaked cap or helmet as appropriate for rank and role, a blue tunic, trousers and tie, and a pale blue or white shirt depending on rank. This uniform is paired with a brown leather Sam Browne belt, and rank insignia is by way of metal pins on mailled epaulettes along with gorget patches depending on the seniority of the wearer. Where this is worn operationally, a rifle belt with two shoulder straps may replace the Sam Browne belt to more evenly distribute the weight of their appointments. Further low-profile body armour would then be worn under the shirt to protect the wearer.
- No.2, or Service Dress is usually worn by Senior officers or those in a non-operational capacity such as uniformed officers staffing an intelligence unit. In temperate weather it consists of a light blue shirt or white shirt depending on rank, and a Justice-blue woollen pullover with trousers and dress shoes. In hot weather, the pullover and tie are discarded. Rank insignia is by way of embroidered slip-on slides on shoulder boards. Headwear will be helmet or peaked hat as appropriate - but due to the predominantly non-operational nature of this uniform, usually a peaked cap. When worn operationally, a utility belt should go over the top as should standard body armour. Some Watches will use this dress order for operational purposes, though the Treasury Guard recommends all adopt a separate Utility Dress that is more practical.
- No.3, or Utility Dress will usually consist of a Justice-blue cotton or wicking polo shirt with shoulder boards for embroidered rank slides. Combat trousers and work boots will be worn, as well as a utility belt and overt body armour. Peaked caps will be worn, unless intended for foot patrol in which case a helmet will be worn, or the weather is especially cold in which case a woollen beanie embroidered 'City Watch' (or similar) would be worn. Where appropriate hi visibility apparel will be worn, or overcoats in cold weather.
Operational units such as public order, air support or licensed search officers will often wear overalls to cover their uniform. Detectives will usually wear formal business suits rather than uniforms.
Supporting Agencies
Local city and borough watches are supported
National Law Enforcement Agencies
Border Security
Intelligence Services
Prisons
The Vygelas Carceryas is responsible for staffing and maintaining all prisons, and supervising non-custodial judicial punishments in the Royal Union. They operate under the Justiciary of Justice rather than the Justiciary of Public Safety, and their officers have significantly decreased powers with regard to the general public and outside of prisons. However, within prisons or for designated probation officers dealing with prisoners on probation