Law Enforcement Organizations in T2K

[Raellus]

Something Web posted in another thread got me thinking again about what civilian law enforcement would look like in the Twilight World, especially here in the States.

I wonder what the average quality of civilian law enforcement organizations would be like in the later years of the war (after the TDM, in particular). In the U.S., I wonder what proportion of law enforcement officers are reservists or National Guard. In the event of WWIII, most of those men and women who are would be called up to active duty. In addition to recalled reservists and activated guardsmen, a lot of younger, patriotic officers, deputies, patrolmen, etc. would likely voluntarily enlist (I don't know if/how the draft would apply to folks in law enforcement). In other words, the creme-de-la-creme would be skimmed off by the armed forces. Who would be left behind?

Furthermore, attrition in large cities, especially ones hit by nukes, would be high for law enforcement and other first responders. As MilGov and CivGov snipe at each other, and organized militia groups like New America step up their violent activities, this attrition would only increase. Just dealing with looters and street gangs would take its toll. Add all of these factors up, and what are you left with? Worst case scenario is that law enforcement in the U.S. c.2000 would be the dregs of its pre-war self. In some spots, orgnanized local government law enforcement might be altogether absent. In others, what serves as law enforcement might be just as bad as the local criminal elements (if not worse).

Currently, here in S. Arizona, a couple of county sheriffs are only a few steps removed from fledgling marauder bosses. Sherriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County (made famous by making county inmates wear pink undies and jumpsuits) is being investigated by the Justice Department for various Civil Rights Law infringements/violations. In some ways, he's only a few short steps removed from a feudal lord. I can only imagine what he'd do if the Feds were distracted by a world war. Just recently, conservative Republlican Sherriff Paul Babeau of Pinal County gave up his run for senate when a illegal immigrant male lover reported that Babeau threatened to have him deported if he left him or told anyone about the affair.

This is a pretty pesimistic projection, I know, but it doesn't seem too far fetched to imagine some parts of the country starting to look like one of the sets from Mad Max.

What do you think?