The Persephone Colonial Police are the official government law enforcement agency in the colony of Persephone. They answer directly to the Colonial Council? and are largely autonomous.

Recruiting for the Colonial Police was one of the first tasks for the new Council once the colony had been established. However, when the initial colonists had been chosen, law enforcement officers had not been one of the high-priority groups. As a result, the Colonial Police was for a long time undermanned, underfunded, and largely forced to take whoever applied.

The chief of the Persephone Colonial Police is Chief Superintendant Ángel González.

1.  Strength

The total compliment of the Colonial Police is approximately three hundred, including investigators, support staff, uniforms on the ground, etc. There are also a dozen vehicles for outdoor travel, primarily light crawlers but with one heavier assault vehicle.

The Police's access to heavy munitions is highly restricted. Officers carry nothing more than handguns, stun guns, and batons. There are ten assault rifles available for special cases, but anything more requires the cooperation of the United Nations Security Force.

2.  Structure

The leader of the Colonial Police is the Chief Superintendant, currently Ángel González. He is assisted by four Superintendants, who have jurisdiction over broad sections of the colony. The next rank down is Inspector, which is generally the senior rank for field officers. There are approximately twenty Inspectors at any given time, although the numbers vary.

The ranks most officers fall into are Sergeant, Corporal, and Constable. The rank of Constable is usually reserved for new and inexperienced officers. Most transfers from other police forces enter directly as Corporals. Promotion to Sergeant usually comes with a good record and about ten years experience with one police force or another.

2.1  Non-policing role

The Colonial Police is officially designated a paramilitary unit, meaning that it enjoys a certain military status as the Security Force's auxilary force. In times of war, the Chief Superintendant is to report to the executive officer of the Defense Force for orders. When no state of war exists, the Chief Superintendant reports directly to the Persephone Colonial Council?.

The paramilitary status of the Colonial Police is somewhat awkward, as the military answers to the United Nations (via the Governor?) rather than to the Council. This can lead to issues when the priorities of the Council and the priorities of the United Nations differ, as they usually do.

3.  Reputation

The Colonial Police is not well-regarded by the citizens of Persephone. Its officers have frequently been called abusive, tyrannical, and even dangerous. Incidents of police brutality are generally tolerated, as the Colonial Police's shortage of manpower as well as the rough-and-tumble nature of colonial life makes punishment difficult.

Senior officers have also been eager to carve out a place for the Colonial Police distinct from the larger Security Force and the omnipresent corporate guards. This has led to frequent clashing of heads at high levels in terms of what the Police's role and responsibilities are.

4.  Incidents

The history of the Colonial Police has not been without incident. During the industrial riots of March and April 2748, the Colonial Police were formally tasked with restoring order to the colony. This they did with their usual efficiency and brutality, with incidents including the death of several rioters to gunfire. The riots were successfully suppressed, but the Police's reputation did not improve.

In October of 2748, the Police were also involved in a shootout at the Blue Balorim? bar with members of the Security Force. Three policemen and one soldier were injured and the leader of the police attack, Inspector Benton Williams, died in military custody (officially due to injuries received in the battle). Another police officer, Corporal Sean Finnegan?, was also taken into custody.