The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878

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The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 was a federal law enacted by congress in 1878 to restrict the federal governments from utilizing the Air Force and Army powers in civil law enforcement functions. The law ensures that civilian police agencies are directly responsible for all law enforcement functions in the United States, and the Armed Forces are responsible for fighting American wars abroad. The military can only be used as law enforcement in America if it specifically authorized. The Posse Comitatus Act was enacted in 1878 to remove federal troops from Southern territories after the Civil War. The US Army troops were stationed in the South during the reconstruction following the Civil War. ”The posse comitatus (from which the term posse derives) is the power or force of the county, and refers to citizens above the age of 15, who may be summoned by a sheriff to enforce the law." The Posse Comitatus Act specifically prohibited the Army from acting in the manner of civilian law enforcement. The other Armed Forces were added to Posse Comitatus under Department of Defense Directives. Department of Defense is overall in charge of all military and has the ability to write instructions and regulations that cover all branches. Violations of the act would be anything considered a law enforcement function such as surveillance of a civilian, search of property, or an arrest. Any person who disregards the act and uses military force can be fined and face confinement for up to two years in prison. The law does not apply to the National Guard because the National Guard is controlled by each state. The Posse Comitatus act (PCA) applies to active duty military, reservists on active duty, reservists on inactive duty for training, D... ... middle of paper ... ...ilian personnel are trained and equipped to handle all hazards. The Pose Comitatus Act of 1878 was placed in to affect to ensure that military commanders can not forcibly take over the civilian population. The act ensures that each individual State is responsible for maintaining good order and discipline in their jurisdiction. The act is very small and allows the military to assist civilian authorities if the need is needed and wanted. I believe that the Posse Comitatus Act serves a valuable purpose in American Law, but changes could be made in the future to provide a more up to date standard, especially in the realm of terrorism. Works Cited 1. "Posse Comitatus Act." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. Military & Government Collection. Web. 7 Dec. 2013. 2. "Aid Of Civil Authorities and Public Relations." 32 CFR 501.1. 2002.

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