NCJ Number
128435
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/March 1991) Pages: 58-62
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Military Aid to Civil Power, the assistance of the Army to the civil power during grave threats to internal security, is discussed, as well as the alternative of specialized forces to combat terrorist threats.
Abstract
Whenever the Army is deployed on internal security duties, a deliberate policy decision has to be carefully taken. An Army has to be adequately trained and prepared for low-intensity, anti-terrorist operations. However, it is argued that both politically and militarily, the Army is not an appropriate instrument for dealing with internal order. A Third Force, specially trained and equipped, would permit a required type of graduated response to terrorist activities. The Force could deal with particular situations like terrorist attacks and not suffer from conflicting missions which is the case of both the Army and the Police. However, it is argued that specialized anti-terrorist training in the absence of experience of general police work may lead to the use of more force by the personnel than is necessary. It may be necessary to keep secret the details of operational contingency and many issues of counter-terrorist policy to allay public misgivings. Nevertheless, there is need for public education on terrorist threats and the various measures necessary to combat it.