Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie
From Daily Escape
The 100,000-strong Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie was originally founded in 1911 to control rural banditry so that taxes could be collected in the lawless countryside; it was trained by Swedish officers in its formative years. When Reza Shah assumed the throne in 1926, the gendarmerie was absorbed into the army in an effort to consolidate central government authority; however, in 1943 (after Reza Shah abdicated), it was given organizational autonomy under the Ministry of Interior. It remains under the direction of the Ministry of Interior, however, in times of war or national emergency, its direction can be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War.
Its law enforcement responsibilities extend to all rural areas and to small towns and villages of fewer than 5,000, encompassing some 80 percent of Iran's territory and about 60 percent of its population. The gendarmerie's functions include, in addition to routine rural police functions, the apprehension of smugglers of narcotics and other contraband, the maintenance of internal security and border security, traffic control of highways, and acting as an adjunct to the army in time of war or national emergency. Personnel of gendarmerie posts (of which there are over 4,500) routinely patrol their assigned areas, serve government notices, settle disputes, and exchange news, in addition to providing police protection. As such, one of their functions is intelligence-gathering.
The gendarmerie has the same rank and organizational structures as the army, and uses the same uniforms. It operates a large variety of equipment, including light aircraft, large Huey and small helicopters, some forty patrol boats, armored patrol cars and jeeps, trucks, and motorcycles.
The largest gendarmerie unit is the district; districts, in turn, are divided into two or more regiments, each headquartered in a provincial town. About a third of the districts operate at brigade strength. Each regiment controls about six companies, whose command posts are located in smaller municipalities. Finally, company areas are apportioned among posts located in villages, at road junctions, and in strategic rural areas which are the basic gendarmerie unit. Gendarmerie posts are of squad size and are usually under the command of an officer and two or more non-commissioned officers. Central headquarters is located in Tehran. In addition to its stationary units, the gendarmerie contains numerous mobile units that are able to carry out sustained pursuit of hostile persons or groups.
Promotion for enlisted men is based on length of service, ability, and the recommendations of their immediate commanders. The same system of promotions is used by the army and the National Police. A panel of examiners, appointed by the commanding general, must pass on all promotions. The appointment of all senior officers is approved by the Shah, and the senior-most appointments are made by the Shah.
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