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A comment on Gang Members Hold Positions at ‘Highest Levels’ of LA Sheriff’s Department. Parent comment

Re:Gang Members Hold Positions at ‘Highest Levels’ of LA She... by nradov on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @05:32PM (#35075699)
That dictionary definition is simply factually and legally wrong. US law is very clear about who is and is not a civilian. Anyone acting as a sheriff's deputy is 100% a civilian. (Some deputies are also military Reserve or National Guard members, but when activated they are no longer acting as civilian peace officers.)
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Re:Gang Members Hold Positions at ‘Highest Levels’ of LA She... by kodah on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @06:24PM (#35076177)
Your definition is correct under international law, but that definition mainly aims to serve policies governing war, so it's not especially apt here.

Civilian in law enforcement jargon means a non-sworn position: https://www.discoverpolicing.org/explore-the-field/civilian-...

To make this more interesting, Posse Comitatus employs the language to signal "non-Federal forces" eg: National Guard activated by a state to operate domestically are referred to as "civilian law enforcement".

In any of the above cases, calling LEOs civilians would be incorrect and would eschew them of many of their responsibilities.

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