Rethinking Posse Comitatus: The Use of Military Force in Combating Urban Crime Using British Royal Marines in Northern Ireland as a Model
Abstract
The United States Marine Corps, in conjunction with other United States Army units, can be trained and organized to provide a viable weapon for use in the domestic urban crime environment. While the primary mission and focus of our armed forces should remain "Being ready to fight and win the Nation's wars, the equally real threat provided by "domestic" enemies can be addressed without the loss of combat readiness. The end of the Cold War and dwindling national resources have caused leadership in both the military and the government to reexamine our National Security Strategy and our National Military Strategy. Growing concerns about militant nationalism, ethnic and religious conflict, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, rapid population growth, refugee flows and overwhelming immigration are just as pressing for Americans within our national borders as they are on the international agenda. There is ample historic precedent for the use of military force in quelling domestic disturbances, within the confines of the Posse Comitatus Act and other limiting regulations. The factors that contributed to the rioting and violence throughout the nation in the late 1960's are still present and are showing an alarming resurgence, as evidenced by the L.A. riots of 1992. The proliferation and increased lethality of weapons available to the criminal on the streets of America make him as formidable an enemy as many of the third world nations. Cutbacks in local law enforcement and in social programs initiated to address the roots of criminal behavior portend increased demands for assistance from the military to combat gang wars, drug wars and other violent crimes. While the Posse Comitatus Act continues to have relevancy, it restricts the military from providing capabilities and assets needed to aid law enforcement officials in combating crime in our nation's cities. The British Royal Marines address terrorism as "a severe form of criminal activity."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA529540
Entities
People
- Leah B. Watson
Organizations
- Marine Corps War College