Astrum - Police Force

Astrum is the modern day progression of the age-old Interpol concept, where police forces linked in effort to enact far-reaching sanctions against wrong-doers. Playing off this model Astrum has grown to the point where the police organization exists in all colonized systems and is a recognized, sizable force such that criminal activity everywhere wishes to avoid notice. Astrum has replaced local police forces in almost every colony and planetary system.

Recognized and backed with funding from almost every government body, except the Den-Si, Astrum operates in different levels based on the local governmental backing. In Sol, the ISA and Jovian League are tightly aligned supporters and as such Astrum can claim to be principled in that system. Despite the wide support Astrum does not have the resources necessary, nor the charter to establish and maintain a large-scale military presence. Sponsor governments have seen to it that the police force is checked by such funding limits after early disagreements of jurisdiction emerged. Still, recently some powers within the force are working to expand and consolidate power into something greater, more overarching. With some already calling for a restructuring of the Interpol force, Astrum continues unabashed, confident in its assumed rights to grow and consolidate.

Structure

Police Forces

Working on limited resources and on a narrow charter Astrum has evolved into a high-efficiency organization. Their smaller, mobile and heavily-armed ships are mirrors of a vast majority of their precincts. These small units are known for their ability to launch raids and sieges on the while still maintaining enough punch to impact whole colonies and lawless Outposts in the Oort Cloud.

Some have questioned weather the lean and mean tactics truly result in the best of police coverage. Yet Astrum stands behind their allocation of a large portion of its monies to fighting organized crime and all the associated trafficking problems. This when combated, they say, helps to deter the lesser petty crimes and civil offenses by making the atmosphere less agreeable. Many would disagree, but policy is always debated.

Departments

Structured after larger organizations of old, Astrum best resembles the structure of many national security agencies such as the age-old FBI, only a much grander scale as boundaries are celestial and not national lines. Astrum operates many departments of different scales, each one crucial to ensuring a stable environment throughout space. Moreover these same functional structures vary from system to system, as the sheer distance and difficulty in scope management makes it near to impossible to organize otherwise.

Sample Departments

• Organized Crime
• Transit/Metro
• SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics)
• Homicide
• Special Victims
• Investigations
• Orbital/Sub-Orbital

District Chiefs

The individual structure of the organization is too large for any typical single-entity head. As such the power-base is broken up into chiefs who preside over their own territories, acting akin to micro-generals in their respective regions. These men and women are not numerous, and have sweeping authority in their posts. Such positions usually come from within, although several throughout the history of Astrum have arisen to the prestigious seat through placement by powerful outside forces such as the Jovian League. In recent years these chiefs have sought to expand their influence and spread the Astrum influence to all corners of their systems - be it into government "advisory" positions or as outright military for smaller outlying colonies and outposts. In these instances where the judge, jury, and executor of the law are held by one group some have called into question the end goals of these expansionist chiefs. While Astrum defends the actions as necessary for keeping the peace in places too remote to otherwise manage, some claim the police force oversteps its charter.

To further cast doubts on the designs of several chiefs are overly cordial relations with the Black Star Group, private military contractors, and in some rare cases infamous bounty hunters. Such ties are not seen throughout the upper-tiers of the organization, and the chiefs are not without checks. The chiefs all report to an independent review committee with seats from all participating government, collective, or protectorate bodies colonized space. The council has never removed a chief from office, however several have tendered kind resignations after meeting with the inquiry board.

History

Vying for Power

Recent history for Astrum has seen a sweeping expanse of power for the police force. Yearly growth averages 6-8% in a field that should be all-but stagnant. However, Astrum has attracted sharp minds into its upper-levels, and it does an outstanding job of leveraging limited resources. Surprisingly leaders in the organization have managed for a long time to skirt deep probes from the steering committee.

Despite its success in managing explosive growth and internal audits Astrum continues to draw questions from groups who claim their efforts are a bid at a real military power, and not as a unified police force. With mobile strike teams, highly-trained specialists, and military grade equipment for almost any raid-based action its hard to not question the end motives of those in power.

Notable Figures

Bertrand Ritch

Lieutenant Ritch is head of the investigations department in Sol, known for butting heads with agents who over-step what he considers ethical police action. Many of his officers dislike the Lieutenant's stance on evidence, testimony, and coercion but Ritch stands firm in his belief that they are above such actions. As a beacon to those who hold Astrum and the officers who sacrifice life and limb in high regard the Lieutenant is poised to rise. However his shining position as a exemplar contrasts with the less ethical approach some see from those above him, such as the inner-sol District Chief Jaclyn Tomblin.

Ritch rose quickly within the force as he oversaw numerous investigations into the Cosa Nostra, leading to dozens of key convictions. The Lieutenant is not alone in his struggle for a better force, and likely never will be despite several attempts to see that he "stays in line".