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Author: Combat Studies Institute Press
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781081225001
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 94
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Book Description
Anytime the use of US Armed Forces in support of civil authorities is considered, government and military leaders, pundits, and citizens reflexively turn to the Posse Comitatus Act for guidance. Since 9/11, the US Armed Forces face an increased likelihood that they will be called on to participate in actions typically viewed as civil matters. Many have also called for an increased role for the US Armed Forces in responding to natural disasters. Though many constitutional provisions, laws, and legal rulings govern this question, in the minds of many, the Posse Comitatus Act has prominence. Most individuals think they know what the Posse Comitatus Act allows and disallows; most of them are wrong.
Author: Combat Studies Institute Press
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781081225001
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 94
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Book Description
Anytime the use of US Armed Forces in support of civil authorities is considered, government and military leaders, pundits, and citizens reflexively turn to the Posse Comitatus Act for guidance. Since 9/11, the US Armed Forces face an increased likelihood that they will be called on to participate in actions typically viewed as civil matters. Many have also called for an increased role for the US Armed Forces in responding to natural disasters. Though many constitutional provisions, laws, and legal rulings govern this question, in the minds of many, the Posse Comitatus Act has prominence. Most individuals think they know what the Posse Comitatus Act allows and disallows; most of them are wrong.
Author: Bonnie Baker
Publisher: Nova Biomedical Books
ISBN: 9781590337219
Category : Civil-military relations
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
The Posse Comitatus Act states that: Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorised by the Constitution or Act of Congress, wilfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. This Act reflects an American tradition that bridles at military involvement in civilian affairs. Congress, however has approved a number of instances where extraordinary circumstances warrant a departure from the general rule, particularly in cases where the armed forces provide civilian assistance without becoming directly involved in civilian law enforcement. This compelling book provides a brief background along with current issues that highlight the Act by drawing attention to its existence and importance. CONTENTS: Preface; The Origins of the Posse Comitatus; The Posse Comitatus Act and Related Matters: A Sketch; The Posse Comitatus Act and Related Matters: The Use of the Military to Execute Civilian Law; Index.
Author: Matt Matthews
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law enforcement
Languages : en
Pages : 85
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Book Description
Author: Matt Matthews
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781478159803
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 94
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Book Description
Anytime the use of US Armed Forces in support of civil authorizes is considered, government and military leaders, pundits, and citizens reflexively turn to the Posse Comitatus Act for guidance. Since 9/11, the US Armed Forces face an increased likelihood that they will be called on to participate in actions typically viewed as civil matters. Many have also called for an increased role for the US Armed Forces in responding to natural disasters. Though many constitutional provisions, laws, and legal ruling govern this question, in the minds of many, the Posse Comitatus Act has prominence. Most individuals think they know what the Posse Comitatus Act allows and disallows; most of them are wrong. Before 1878, the use of the US Army in support of and at times instead of civil law enforcement was rare; however, it was not considered unlawful. The Civil War and Reconstruction forced a reexamination of those precedents and the legal principles behind them. After the passage of the Posse Comitatus Act in 1878, the Armed Forces have been called on much less frequently to conduct civil law enforcement duties. When employed, their use has been controversial, and the constitutional basis for their use has been challenged in the media, in politics, and in the courts. In this monograph, Matt Matthews provides an insightful overview of the passage of the PCA during the Reconstruction era. He then reviews case studies in which the armed forces were called on to support civil authorities and examines how military leaders dealt with the provisions of the act. Finally, Mr. Matthews calls for a much-needed review of the act, now more than 125 years old. This monograph will be a useful read to military and civilian professionals also who will likely be called onto make critical decisions regarding the use of US Armed Forces in support of civil authorities.~
Author: Jennifer K. Elsea
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9781790726332
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 78
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Book Description
The Constitution permits Congress to authorize the use of the militia "to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions." And it guarantees the states protection against invasion or usurpation of their "republican form of government," and, upon the request of the state legislature, against "domestic violence." These constitutional provisions are reflected in the Insurrection Acts, which have been invoked numerous times both before and after passage of the Posse Comitatus Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 1385, in 1878. Congress has also enacted a number of statutes that authorize the use of land and naval forces to execute their objective. The Posse Comitatus Act outlaws the willful use of any part of the Army or Air Force to execute the law unless expressly authorized by the Constitution or an act of Congress. History supplies the grist for an argument that the Constitution prohibits military involvement in civilian affairs subject to only limited alterations by Congress or the President, but the courts do not appear to have ever accepted the argument unless violation of more explicit constitutional command could also be shown. The express statutory exceptions include the legislation that allows the President to use military force to suppress insurrection or to enforce federal authority, 10 U.S.C. Sections 251-255, and laws that permit the Department of Defense to provide federal, state and local police with information, equipment, and personnel, 10 U.S.C. §§ 271-284. Case law indicates that "execution of the law" in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act occurs (a) when the Armed Forces perform tasks assigned to an organ of civil government, or (b) when the Armed Forces perform tasks assigned to them solely for purposes of civilian government. Questions concerning the act's application arise most often in the context of assistance to civilian police. At least in this context, the courts have held that, absent a recognized exception, the Posse Comitatus Act is violated when (1) civilian law enforcement officials make "direct active use" of military investigators; or (2) the use of the military "pervades the activities" of the civilian officials; or (3) the military is used so as to subject "citizens to the exercise of military power which was regulatory, prescriptive, or compulsory in nature." The act is not violated when the Armed Forces conduct activities for a military purpose. The language of the act mentions only the Army and the Air Force, but it is applicable to the Navy and Marines by virtue of administrative action and commands of other laws. The law enforcement functions of the Coast Guard have been expressly authorized by act of Congress and consequently cannot be said to be contrary to the act. The act has been applied to the National Guard when it is in federal service, to civilian employees of the Armed Forces, and to off-duty military personnel. The act probably only applies within the geographical confines of the United States, but supplemental provisions of 10 U.S.C. §§ 271-284 appear to apply worldwide. Finally, the act is a criminal statute under which there has been but a handful of known prosecutions. Although violations will on rare occasions result in the exclusion of evidence, the dismissal of criminal charges, or a civil cause of action, as a practical matter compliance is ordinarily the result of military self-restraint. This report provides an historical analysis of the use of the Armed Forces to execute domestic law and of the Posse Comitatus Act, including their apparent theoretical and constitutional underpinnings. The report then outlines the current application of the act as well as its statutory exceptions, and reviews the consequences of its violation.
Author: U.s. Army War College
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781502941398
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 26
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Book Description
The Posse Comitatus Act was created to limit the military's role in civilian law enforcement. The original act was passed in June 1878 as part of the Army appropriation bill. The National Security Act of 1947 further directed the Secretary of Defense to publish regulations that do not permit direct participation by the Army or Air Forces in search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activities, except when permitted by law. The Posse Comitatus Act does not apply the National Guard formation while under state control and therefore allows governors the flexibility to utilize the Guard in support of law enforcement missions. This exception is lost once National Guard formations are called to serve on Active Duty. This book will explore the history of the use of a Posse Comitatus before and during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and present day situations. The book will examine when the Posse Comitatus Act applies and when it does not apply to active duty and National Guard formations. Exceptions to the law which have been granted by Congress for counter drug operations, suppression of insurrection and emergency situations related to weapons of mass destruction will also be examined. Three situations will be examined in detail including the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Seattle in 1999, and the use of Military Police in Samson, Alabama in 2009. Finally, this book will examine command and control issues related to the use of Federal Armed forces in support of local law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the Federal Government in all but extraordinary situations. Its intent to limit federal involvement in domestic affairs is still sound. In the future, commanders at all levels should be required to receive training on the Posse Comitatus Act to ensure understanding and intent. Congress should consider allowing active duty units to serve under state command and control and the Posse Comitatus Act should be left as a federal law.
Author: Jennifer Elsea
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Civil-military relations
Languages : en
Pages : 6
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Book Description
The Posse Comitatus Act states that: Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. 18 U.S.C. § 1385. It reflects an American tradition that bridles at military involvement in civilian affairs. Congress, however, has approved a number of instances where extraordinary circumstances warrant a departure from the general rule, particularly in cases where the armed forces provide civilian assistance without becoming directly involved in civilian law enforcement. This is an abridged version of CRS Report R42659, The Posse Comitatus Act and related matters : the use of the military to execute civilian law, in which the authorities for the statements made here may be found.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 7
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Book Description
The Posse Comitatus Act states that: Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. 18 U.S.C. 1385. It reflects an American tradition that bridles at military involvement in civilian affairs. Congress, however, has approved a number of instances where extraordinary circumstances warrant a departure from the general rule, particularly in cases where the armed forces provide civilian assistance without becoming directly involved in civilian law enforcement. This is an abridged version of The Posse Comitatus Act and Related Matters: The Use of the Military to Execute Civilian Law, CRS Report 95-964 in which the authorities for the statements made here may be found. This report summarizes proposed bills that could result in increased interaction between military and civil authorities. (H.R. 1986, H.R. 1815, S. 1042, S. 1043).
Author: Clayton D. Laurie
Publisher: Government Printing Office
ISBN: 9780160882685
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 500
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Book Description
CMH 30-15. Army Historical Series. 2nd of three planned volumes on the history of Army domestic support operations. This volume encompasses the period of the rise of industrial America with attendant social dislocation and strife. Major themes are: the evolution of the Army's role in domestic support operations; its strict adherence to law; and the disciplined manner in which it conducted these difficult and often unpopular operations.
Author: Thomas F. Heslin (Jr.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Federal aid to law enforcement agencies
Languages : en
Pages : 26
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Book Description
The Posse Comitatus Act was created to limit the military's role in civilian law enforcement. The original act was passed in June 1878 as part of the Army appropriation bill. The National Security Act of 1947 further directed the Secretary of Defense to publish regulations that do not permit direct participation by the Army or Air Forces in search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activities, except when permitted by law. The Posse Comitatus Act does not apply the National Guard formation while under state control and therefore allows governors the flexibility to utilize the Guard in support of law enforcement missions. This exception is lost once National Guard formations are called to serve on Active Duty. This research paper will explore the history of the use of a Posse Comitatus before and during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and present day situations. The paper will examine when the Posse Comitatus Act applies and when it does not apply to active duty and National Guard formations. Exceptions to the law which have been granted by Congress for counter drug operations, suppression of insurrection and emergency situations related to weapons of mass destruction will also be examined. Three situations will be examined in detail including the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Seattle in 1999, and the use of Military Police in Samson, Alabama in 2009. Finally, this paper will examine command and control issues related to the use of Federal Armed forces in support of local law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the Federal Government in all but extraordinary situations. Its intent to limit federal involvement in domestic affairs is still sound. In the future, commanders at all levels should be required to receive training on the Posse Comitatus Act to ensure understanding and intent. Congress should consider allowing active duty units to serve under state command and control and the Posse Comitatus Act should be left as a federal law.
