Police is a body of uniformed officers tasked with enforcing a country's laws, typically with jurisdiction limited to national borders (although supranational entities exist). Coming into existence in the 18th and 19th century, state police largely disappeared in the wake of the Collapse in 2052, with policing duties continued.
Background[]
2027-2029[]
During the heyday of mechanical augmentation, police forces remained in their classic role. In the United States, in Detroit, the police tried to navigate the politics of augmentation and controversies instigated by Humanity Front, in particular due to the role Sarif Industries played in the city's economy (and the mayor's election campaign).[1] Under Chief Timothy Smith, augmented and regular officers were officially equal in the eyes of the Detroit Metropolitan Police Department, and the policy included the same screening and testing, performance evaluations were focused on merit and performance alone, with slurs and harassment (regardless of who used them or who the target was) severely penalized.[2] The department also issued strict prohibitions on otherwise legal prescription drugs.[3]
The Detroit police remained part of the US power structure and under influence from Homeland Security and indirectly FEMA, officially for the purposes of training,[4] but in reality to ensure nobody learns the truth about what was truly going on, eg. with the attack on Sarif industries headquarters[5] and later the manufacturing plant.[6][7][8]
Public police forces have also been augmented by private military companies. In Hengsha in particular, Belltower Associates has been contracted by the Chinese government to "assist" with policing the Lower City, much to the dismay of the actual police officers.[9]
Across the world, the police became much more militarized, wearing heavy body armor openly and being equipped with powerful weapons such as combat rifles. During 2027 and 2052, police around the world faced many riots and must be supported by several SWAT officers in 2027 and then UNATCO, Majestic 12, and soldiers in 2052.
In 2029, the officers in Prague are heavily armed due to the terrorist attacks at a Prague metro station that were carried out by a rogue group within the Augmented Rights Coalition. Due to these attacks being "claimed" by Augs, new legislation has passed that requires Augs in Prague to carry identification to be checked by police officers. Police officers are verbally hostile to Adam Jensen and other Augs because of anti-Aug prejudice. They will not attack Jensen unless provoked though.
As mechanical augmentation is now despised, the police have started using EXO-suits for when they need a heavily armored presence. These suits are an external robotic shell that the police officer controls from inside and is capable of withstanding takedowns unless shocked first.
2052[]
The increasing militarization of the police has continued unabated, together with ever more restrictive legislation and pervasive surveillance, with United States having the dubious distinction of enacting some of the most repressive measures, including shoot-on-sight laws. Naturally, this has only fueled social unrest, bolstering the National Secessionist Forces,[10] which in turn led to even more draconian measures, such as grid zoning: In New York City, districts were divided and cordoned off, with all foot traffic prohibited by law. All communication would only occur via subways and highways, under strict police surveillance.[11]
2072: Post-Collapse[]
After the Collapse by 2072, the different systems of police around the world have disintegrated and the private security company SSC began to work with numerous businesses and organizations to provide affordable protection in a world that lacks a traditional police force. SSC's clients include the Order, WTO, weapons manufacturers, clandestine laboratories, and even smugglers.
With conflicts between the nascent world powers heating up, SSC has increasingly found itself caught in the middle. SSC guards, minimally trained and often suffering from a rent-a-cop mentality, are called upon to be peacekeepers, paramilitaries and soldiers. Also by that year, several world powers were establishing armies of their own. An example of this is the Knights Templar.
See also[]
- Police in Deus Ex
- Riot Cop – Police in New York City
- Cop – Police in Paris
- Chinese Military Police
- Police in Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Police in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Police (DXMD) – Police of the Czech Republic
- Policie computer
- Policie Utulek Division computer
Gallery[]
Deus Ex[]
Deus Ex: Human Revolution[]
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided[]
See Police (DXMD) for additional images.
References[]
- ↑ SWAT trooper: "Oh, now it makes sense! We're not allowed to do police work today because we're taking orders from the Mayor's campaign contributor."
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Common E-mails, Departmental Policy on Augmented Officers
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Common E-mails, Official Drug Policy
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Common E-mails, HS Training
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Common E-mails, Morgue Lockdown
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Ryan Penn's computer, UV
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Ryan Penn's computer, Morgue Procedures
- ↑ Detroit Police Department computers, Ryan Penn's computer, Over and done
- ↑ Hengsha Police: "It is an insult that Belltower Associates was contracted to 'assist' Hengsha Police in Lower City. They are as corrupt as the thieves operating down here."
- ↑ Leo Gold: "Do you ever ask what it's for? The surveillance, the police, the shoot-on-sight laws? Is that freedom?"
- ↑ New World Press, Court Upholds NY Grid Law