NationStates Jolt Archive

1st National Police Force Called Up

AP, Silema, Comino – Following the passage of Io Tutamnie Nationale Lex 01 (National Defense Legislation #01) through both Gosian and Cominan Parliaments in mid November, the public has eagerly awaited the unveiling of the proposed Quorume di Tutamnie Nationale (National Defense Force) which has been scheduled to replace local police forces by mid June, 2006. Yesterday, members of the press were granted that first glimpse at the new police force at a formal assembly here in downtown Silema.

Among those who attended were several members of the Cominan Parliament, as well as the Prime Minister himself, Don Giovanni Velerio. Those admitted to the demonstration, which was held in the old opera-house turned government-office, were greeted with an unexpected sight. A full 60 of the 1400 QTN officers called for by the legislation were on hand, already fully outfitted and trained. After being paraded about on demonstration, the officers were brought inside for a more private demonstration. While not at leisure to discuss the exact procedures demonstrated, press members were allowed to give their impression of the events observed – which I am pleased to say were quite favorable. From a colorful demonstration of forced entry procedure to a rundown of the individual officer’s equipment, all things seem to be shaping up towards an internationally credible police based on foreign example.

The government maintains its stance that this National Defense Force will not serve as an actual military for the nation, and has reassured its people of their commitment to a de-militarized state. However, the hopes here in the capitol are high that this paramilitary outfit will alleviate much of the burden currently resting on local police units – particularly in crime-ridden areas like Trapani and Salerno Nove The success of this venture, however, remains to be seen.

Via di Patria, Luzia, Goso – 11:31 am CET

Despite the relative cold - 18°C, practically frigid for the inhabitants of Goso’s sun-scorched lands – the populace was out in droves. The crowd was small compared to those of larger nations, but, in a country of only 87,000, an event that draws 26,000 spectators is truly amazing, ill weather or not.

The monumental turnout for this particular event was not the only amazing fact. That the crowd was contained along the kilometer-long historic boulevard was another miracle in itself. Luzia is a city of only 64,000, and, being lightly policed, her local barracks were only eighty strong. Those eighty stood in uniform, sparsely distributed about the boulevard, manning the barricades which held the crowd back and off the street itself. They were dressed in something of a traditional attire, rather like the Spanish Guardia Civil – short blue coats with white underneath and on their pants, and a heavy black version of the tri-cornered hat worn by their Spanish contemporaries. Take into account the look of the Via di Patria itself, with the 16th and 17th century architecture and grand monument on its northern face, and it was a scene reminiscent of the Vatican just before the Pope is to address the people, or perhaps of a demonstration at the Plaza de Mayo.

The crowd was rather well behaved, considering the press, holding to their designated areas and making far less noise than one would expect of a group so large. Still, with so few police on hand, it was a great relief when the crowd began to quiet and Don Roberto Williamston took stage as the center of the boulevard.

“Gente de i, ti silensis!” he began. My people, quiet. The microphone barely carried down the length of the via. “It is my pleasure to bring to you, by right of Parliament, the first National Defense since times immemorial: Io Quorume di Tutamnie Nationale Gosiane. I had a speech for this occasion, but I feel this should not be a time for politics. This is a historic day, and a happy day. Therefore, I leave you with nothing more than this, ‘Goso and Comino, forever. Endivisiblate at Ensepereblate.’”

A brief bit of applause filled the area with noise, but was cut short as the Prime Minister’s banner was pulled away and replaced by one unrecognizable to those in the crowd, a banner bearing the letters QTNG, and a group of nearly 300 black-clad men began to assemble for the crowd...

[OOC: Blah. Tired and with too little time. Apologies, I know it's crap.]