Law Enforcement

Overview
Over the centuries, the nature and sources of law enforcement in the City have changed, in both subtle and overt ways. While modern enforcement in the City bears little resemblance to that of the City's first years, there are some who feel that the enforcement of the past, while occasionally more harsh, was certainly more fair and understandable than that of today.

For the most part, modern law enforcement in the City is divided into three Tiers, the lowest of which is the City Guard. Above the Guard are the enforcement branch of The Centrum Arcanis, and House Enforcers, special agents designated by the High Houses to attend to special House business. Officially, the Centrum Arcanum enforcers sit parallel to House Enforcers, and the most frequent clash of jurisdiction comes between these two branches.

History
When the City was first created, the City Guard were originally responsible for all levels of defense and protection. In addition to enforcing the laws, they provided the High Houses with protection, and managed the gates between floors. Originally responsible to the First House, House Tillani, following the First House War the City Guard were formally made accountable to the newly formed Upper Chamber of the Parliament. As time went on, and intrigue between the Houses grew, the High Houses began creating their own private security, commonly formed from within their own Houses. The City Guard were often only called in when serious crimes were committed, and even then, the Houses generally preferred to handle things themselves. In 547 CR, the Upper Chamber passed the House Business Act, allowing High Houses to designate House Enforcers to enact investigations on behalf of their patron House. As agents of the Houses, the Act gave House Enforcers jurisdiction over any investigation by the City Guard that impacted the High Houses. This change would be the beginning of a divide and break in trust between the High Houses and the City Guard.

When the Laveks ascended to become one of the High Houses, the House absorbed most of the security tasks performed by the City Guard, and now only a few guard stations are manned on the First and Second floors by the City Guard.

Several hundred years later, the creation of the Centrum Arcanis would see the City Guard lose jurisdiction over investigations involving magic. For many within the City Guard, this further reduction in duties would increase the divide between those in the City Guard and those in and working for the High Houses.

These days, all three branches tend to view the others with disdain, seeing them as invasive and obnoxious at best, and incompetent and ignorant at worst.

The City Guard
(For more information, see City Guard)

House Enforcers
(For more information, see House Enforcers)

Centrum Arcanis Enforcement Branch
(For more information, see The Centrum Arcanis)