Well, my question started because of the fact that (at least American Law Enforcement) Law Enforcement is unifromed, armed, and also becoming more militray like everyday in terms of it's stucture, equipment, and SOPs. And with the war on terror being fought on both the battle front and the home front. Law Enforcement is the main player in fighting the war on the home front.
It's more of a what if situtation. Like if Communist China invaded the USA. Would Law Enforcement be covered by the rules of the Geneva Convention in regards to POW status? As a Law Enforcement Officer (Still in the academy), I believe that I would fight against any oppossing military. And I also believe that the Departments would order their officers to fight with the US military. Now, being a LEO in America means that it's a job. And like any other job. You can quit when ever you want. But you cannot go on strike, that is one of the main differences. Between being a Law Enforcement officer and a civilian. Also, Law Enforcement is held to a different standard in the USA.
LEOs are viewed as not being civilians, but agents of the government. And the military is the same. Expect that the military's juridistion is outside of the USA for law enforcement. Law Enforcement does not go and fight wars. But even today that is slowly changing.
US Customs and Border Protection Agents are in Iraq working with the US/Allied Military in controlling the borders of Iraq. They are also training the Iraqi National Guard in how to protect their borders.
US Customs is working security at places such as Um Qsar, Iraq. Which is one of Iraq's ports. They also are working with the US/Allied Navies there.
The US Coast Guard falls under both law enforcement and military. When they are stationed state side, they are law enforcement officers if they have attened and passed the federal law enforcement officer requirements. But when they are deployed overseas, they fall under the US Navy.
The FBI is a Police Agency yet it also conducts intelligence gather in the USA, while the CIA does it outside of the USA. The CIA is also viewed as a Police Agency by Federal standards and you also know that they are fighting in Iraq (maybe Iran) right now.
Also, many departments in my area send officers overseas to such nations as Haiti, Columbia, Panama, and Peru to name a few places. These are local city departm,ents sending officers overseas. Such as when the US Marines landed in Haiti after their latest coup. Miami dade County SRT and City of Miami SWAT went with them to partake in peacekeeping operations.
DEA works all the time in Columbia with the 7th Group Special Forces and Columbian Militay to fight the drug war. And they are fighting what under the Geneva Convention are partisan. the FARC - Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia).
guerrillas Guerrillas who follow the rules spelled out in the Geneva Conventions are considered to have
combatant status and have some of the same rights as regular members of the armed forces.
In international conflicts, guerrillas must distinguish themselves from the civilian population if they are preparing or engaged in an attack. At a minimum, guerrillas must carry their arms openly. (
Protocol I, Art. 44, Sec. 3)
Under the earlier Geneva Conventions, which are more widely recognized, a guerrilla army must have a well-defined chain of command, be clearly distinguishable from the civilian population, carry arms openly and observe the laws of war. (
Convention III, Art. 4, Sec. 2)
In the case of an internal conflict, combatants must show humane treatment to civilians and enemies who have been wounded or who have surrendered. Murder, hostage-taking and extrajudicial executions are all forbidden. (
Convention I, Art. 3)
Hence why I asked, Military and Law Enforcement are blurring together into one group here in the United States of America.