U.S. Marine Corps - Small Wars Manual (1940 Edition)
Chapter XII. ARMED NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
SECTION IV
AUXILIARY FORCES
Par. Urban and rural agents 12-24 Special agents 12-25 Auxiliary units 12-26
12-24. Urban and rural agents.-Small detachments of varying size are stationed throughout the country in towns, cities, and villages. Each detachment is assigned the task of restoring and maintaining law and order within a given area. To assist the detachments in the performance of their duties, urban and rural agents are employed as part of the constabulary. These agents are selected from among the inhabitants of communities and outlying sections. Only men of high standing in the community are selected for this duty. These agents are, in reality, the rural police of the constabulary. They are appointed or commissioned by the constabulary and are paid as a separate budgetary unit of the constabulary. They are granted powers similar to those granted a sheriff in the continental United states. They are not given any distinctive uniform, but are provided with a badge of office, together with a special police permit to bear arms in the execution of their duties. These agents are under the direct command of the local constabulary commander. Employment of such agents is invaluable, since they are thoroughly familiar with their section or community and know all the individuals residing in the vicinity, thus making the apprehension of any resident malefactor a comparatively easy task. They keep the local constabulary commander informed of the domestic situation within their respective sections, thereby forestalling any organized attempt at insurrection or rebellion against the local government.
12-25. Special agents.-In addition to urban and rural agents, individuals may be armed and endowed with police powers. These special agents are employed by owners of large estates, plantations, mines, ranches, banks, and other large financial and commercial houses. They act as guards for the protection of life and property from marauders, bandits, and robbers. They are paid by the estate or firm employing them and are legally empowered by the constabulary to make arrests of trespassers as agents of that force. They are given a distinctive badge of office and are issued a special police permit to bear arms in the performance of their duties. The appointment of special agents should be made only after a careful investigation by the local constabulary commander. Under no circumstances, should the practice of appointing special agents be permitted to grow to such an extent that tiny large land owner has a considerable number of armed men in his employ and under his control. The hiring of additional special agents should be strenuously opposed when sufficient personnel of the constabulary is present in the vicinity to provide protection.
12-26. Auxiliary units.- When an organized rebellion or insurrection develops, or when banditry assumes such proportions that the local units of the constabulary are unable to combat such domestic disorders successfully, volunteer units under the direction of the constabulary may be organized from the inhabitants to assist in quelling such disorders. These auxiliary units are composed of inhabitants who are armed and rationed by the constabulary. Auxiliary units are temporarily armed forces, and are employed only for the duration of the emergency. During their period of service, they ara governed and controlled in the same manner as regular members of the constabulary.
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