“Soldiering By Consent” and Military–Civil Relations: Military Transition Into the Public Space of Policing

Abstract

Growth in the Armed Forces undertaking public policing is occurring in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and as such a complex security landscape emerges, both practically and conceptually. The aim here is to pose questions of the manifest and latent issues in the assemblage of multiple actors in public policing. It aks to reader to consider the implications of military actors transitioning from defence duties ordinarily associated with military work, to policing activities in public spaces. Taking the London 2012 Olympic Games as our point of reference, this article argues that to understand military presence, their role must be considered in the broader context of military and policing functions, the 'war on terror', accountability, and future priorities for public policing. We must be careful not to assign the presence of the military into pre-existing understandings of how mega-events should be securedthe military patrolling the streets of London represents more. Instead, as their presence comes to be legitimate in certain geopolitical contexts, critical questions must be asked especially as public and private arrangements are continually reworked in the domestic fight against terrorism.

The politicization of militarization

“…An exploration of military involvement in policing within the United Kingdom, associates the use of military personnel and tactics to differ, acknowledging instead formations when pressures on policing capabilities arise, initiating soldiering by public consent (Murray & Taylor, 2019). Public perception as a result is largely supportive based on recognition that military deployment alongside policing can be utilized effectively to undertake domestic security roles (Olympics), provide reinforcement via specialist roles for (bomb disposal officers) or contribute to policing activities including Operation Temperer or COVID-19.…”