Colonial Coalition Marshals Service
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| The Shoals |
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The Colonial Coalition Marshals Service, commonly referred to as simply the Coalition Marshals is the local law enforcement agency of the Colonial Coalition tasked with patrolling the worlds and shipping lanes of the Coalition in the Shoals.
Organization
The CCMS is responsible for enforcing the law amongst the colonies and various other regions in the Shoals. The Coalition Marshals execute all lawful writs, processes, and orders issued under the authority of the Colonial Coalition and United Federation of Planets.
While performing their duties the CCMS Marshals often engage in activities such as but not limited to the apprehending of wanted fugitives, providing protection for political officials, transporting colonial prisoners, protecting endangered witnesses, and managing assets seized from criminal enterprises.
Divisions
The CCMS is known to have several 'divisions' of Marshals active today.
Colony security
Every Coalition colony utilizing the CCMS has a planetary-based division of marshals, often acting as a law enforcement on a smaller scale for the colony. These marshals are also often deployed as security for newly founded settlements on colony worlds.
Border security
Territory patrol
Marshals on territory patrol regularly engage in simple operations, such as check vessels for safety concerns, or undergo drug raids or rescue ops, and other sorts of "roaming" operations. However, they generally operate only within their designated area of space (which is around the Coalition planet they've been assigned to).
Investigations
The Investigations Division is comprised of multiple units who are responsible for handling investigations based on the crime committed, complexity, and the requirement of special expertise. They provide assistance to the patrol and security division's with investigations, as needed. This division has the second largest number of personnel and is composed of detectives, special investigators, specialists, technicians, supervisors and support staff.
Survey
The Survey Division is composed of dedicated cutters and staff mathematicians who, through a combination of direct surveys and mathematical modeling, keep track of the shifting of the Mother Road. The Survey Division issues periodical Notices To Starships to advise of shifts in the Mother Road and other navigational hazards.
CCMS Patrol Fleet
The CCMS uses the term cutter for its starships. Cutters are identified with the prefix CMC for Coalition Marshals Cutter. Most cutters are former Starfleet light cruisers, although the CCMS also employs the use of a few specially-built starships as well.
CCMS Ranks
CCMS Marshals may have differing job titles and descriptions depending on the division they serve in, and most Marshals operate alone or in small teams, but each individual marshal also has a 'Rank' which indicates and dictates their status and responsibilities within their division.
Deputy Marshal
- The first rank signifying the advancement from entry level positions to the position of 'Marshal'. A Deputy is the lowest ranking member of the CCMS and is the most commonly encountered rank of marshal.
- Special Deputy Marshal: When a civilian is deputized under the authority of an authorized CCMS Marshal they are temporarily granted the rank, duty, and authority of "Special Deputy" Marshal.
Detective Marshal
- A Detective Marshal is expected to, when needed, supervise and train personnel, and weigh in on disciplinary situations. Marshals who become leaders and differentiate themselves on the job might be promoted to Detective as an official way to acknowledge their leadership on the force.
Inspector Marshal
- The duty of an Inspector Marshal is to take direction's from superiors and turn them into a plan of action for the Marshals operating in their jurisdiction. They evaluate officers and other staff in performance reviews and identify development and training needs for the division. On top of these duties, Inspectors act as ambassadors of their department in civic meetings and other community efforts.
Vice Chief Marshal
- Vice Chief Marshals report directly to the Chief Marshal of their division, as they manage and direct activities of the department. Vice Chief Marshals enforce department policies. They are relied on to represent the department in the colonial government and to step in when situations become critical. Vice Chief Marshals might also conduct research and prepare reports related to crime and policing in the community. For this position, officers will need experience working in supervisory roles and, depending on the position and division, may require a college degree. The ability to command and lead a group under stressful situations as well as having strong public speaking skills will be assets for CCMS Marshals at this stage of their career.
Chief Marshal
- The Chief Marshal is the top authority of the division. Only one officer serves in this position at any given time. These Marshals oversee all operations of their department, develop procedures and programs to increase effectiveness and safety and assign officers to special investigations. As the head of their division, they work closely with colonial governments and Federation officials. They implement law enforcement programs for their jurisdictions and review criminal cases to look for trends and patterns. They handle the department’s full budget, direct the systems that maintain records and legal documents, handle grievances and address the public in the event of crisis incidents. They are ultimately responsible for any issues or incidents in the agency under their watch. Because of this, they often face criticism from public leaders, activists, local politicians, and Federation command if things aren’t going well.