USPEOIU

United States Paranormal and Extraterrestrial Operations and Intelligence Unit

Officially part of the US Marshals, the USPEOIU has little day-to-day interaction with the rest of the organization, with even the unit's full name being classified, for reasons that become immediately obvious upon considering it is 'United States Paranormal and Extraterrestrial Operations and Investigation Unit'. Nevertheless the USPEOIU has full law enforcement authority (and responsibility). Despite its unusual nature the USPEOIU is organized much like any government agency, under the Special Director of Paranormal and Extraterrestrial Affairs (SD-PEA), who themself answers - in theory - to the Director of the US Marshals, but while the Director is mostly read-in on the unit, generally has little to no influence over its day-to-day operations. In practice, the USPEOIU answers directly to the President and Cabinet.
Below the SD-PEA, the organization is split into various divisions, each responsible for a different aspect of abnormal law enforcement, and each lead by an Associate Director. There are eight in total, plus additional special units.

1st - General Paranormal Operations Division

The 1st Division or 'GPOD', contains the bulk of the USPEOIU's manpower and responsiblity, and is split into three main parts. All members of GPOD are sworn law enforcement officers, and thus have authority act under color of law and perform lawful arrests. The GPOD is often thought of as the most prestigious assignment short of Omega Division, and some would go so far as to claim only 1st Division Agents are 'real' USPEOIU agents.

Field Patrol and Particular Investigations

The first and largest of these is Field Patrol and Particular Investigations, further broken into 13 Patrol Regions, each consisting of several nearby states or territories. Each one is overseen by a Regional Director and their staff, including Regional Sub-Directors responsible for a smaller area, which may be as large as a state or as small as a city. The largest number of Regional Sub-Directors (R-Sub-Dir) in any region is fifteen (NEWPAT), the lowest is one (ARCPAT), and the Sub-Directors may have their own staff and delegates in particularly busy areas. Each patrol region comprises anything from dozens to hundreds (even thousands for NEWPAT and PACPAT) of Field Teams, each of which is comprised of 2-5 agents.
These Field Teams operate as independent patrol and investigation forces, but despite the 'Field Patrol' name, do not primarily do in-person patrolling, though periodic check ins on known hotspots or individuals are not uncommon. Instead, they monitor local and state 'mundane' police, looking for anything that indicates the possibility of paranormal involvement, and provide assistance (as unspecified US Marshalls) where it is likely, or conduct their own investigations. This monitoring is generally performed by regional dispatch rather than individual field teams, but sometimes field teams may take a particular interest in some events, or see patterns only visible from 'ground level'. In addition, these 'spot checks' can lead to larger investigations, which can be conducted individually or have multiple teams assigned, if regional dispatch deems them significant enough.

National Investigation & Warrant Coordination & Support

In addition to Field Patrol, the 1st Division contains two other significant branches. Second is National Investigation & Warrant Coordination & Support, NIWCS or 'Newcis', led by a Branch Chief. This branch has two major functions - foremost coordinating investigations that cross regional lines or which are too large or complex to be managed by Field Teams alone, and even providing a limited degree of assistance to multi-team actions in a single region. NIWCS can conduct investigations on its own but more typically supplies additional personnel to support regional teams, in addition to acting as an overarching structure. There are however numerous 'long term' investigations underway at any given time, from which Field Teams are typically relieved and responsibility for continuing operations given to NIWCS personnel.
The latter function of NIWCS is the serving of warrants - though all GPOD personnel have this authority, NIWCS coordinates service across state/regional boundaries, as well as serving standing warrants that are not the result of a current investigation. Finally, when the USPEOIU suspects that a high-profile or otherwise significant law enforcement action by another agency may have a paranormal aspect, they provide semi-covert assistance. This is similar to the investigation assistance often undertaken by field teams, but is generally applied to higher-profile cases or federal law enforcement.

High Threat Response Teams

The final branch of the 1st Division is the High Threat Response Teams, overseen by the Branch Chief and a significant staff, but very little hierarchy thereafter - though all GPOD agents are armed with sidearms and patrol support weapons, the HTR Teams are specialized in actions which may face intense paranormal resistance, and act as a flying reserve for Field Teams facing opposition. Ideally, they are called before the situation escalates and able to take over warrant service or provide rapid response, but they may also be called in to respond to a crisis as it develops. HTR is comprised of senior agents organized into flying squads of approximately 5 individuals, of which there are 12 active squads, plus another 8 'reserve' squads. Squads are rotated in and out of active service, with reserve squads spending their time undergoing intensive training. Furthermore, individual time in High Threat Response is limited, due to the risk of psychological and physical burnout, with personnel periodically being cycled out to Field Teams or, ideally, desk service. In practice the difficulty of bringing new personnel to an adequate standard means this is not fully followed.

2nd - Containment Division

The second division of the USPEOIU is dedicated to the safe containment of dangerous paranormal objects - or on occasion, individuals. It is generally a support division and its personnel are not necessarily sworn officers, as they are not expected to interact with the public.

Secure Artifact Transfer System

The Secure Artifact Transfer (SecArt) System provides for the safe and secure transport of paranormal artifacts of almost all types. In addition to transfers, this branch also performs identification, retrievals, cleanup, and spell damage repair. Artifact retrieval and transit can be simple or extremely complex, depending on the artifact in question. While provisions exist for movement of low-risk artifacts by field agents, these are meant to be used only at-necessity. Procedure dictates that upon discovery of an active (radiating magic), cataloged (matching a list of known artifacts), or suspected artifact, field agents are to secure the scene for immediate isolation, and consult a SecArt dispatcher for further instructions. Most USPEOIU posts have a SecArt dispatcher on hand to perform this consultation and quickly inspect artifacts on site. Artifacts are divided into a matrix based on danger (from 'safe' to 'extreme') and stability (from 'inert' to 'autonomous'), with some other factors applying, such as size. Depending on the artifact, the necessary measures may be anything from simple transfer in a plastic evidence bag to evacuation of a whole city block while the artifact is shifted to a magically-warded truck via remote crane. The SATS maintains a number of regular scheduled transfers, picking up artifacts and transferring them to a secure categorization facility by the truckload, these trucks or more specialized vehicles are also deployed on priority retrieval missions. Depending on the artifacts and question and threat level, these vehicles may be escorted. Certain artifacts may require categorization on-site, being transported directly to disposal or Special Containment upon retrieval. There are a total of 7 categorization facilities, five located in the continental united states, one a 'categorization-at-sea' vessel, and one a mobile facility primarily for use abroad, when necessary and feasible. Upon arriving at a categorization facility, artifacts are triaged - more dangerous artifacts being served first - and analyzed by specialized teams. Most have no particularly phenomenal properties - as magical artifacts go - and are assigned a General Containment Protocol and sent to deep storage. Items of scientific or material interest are sent to 3rd or 5th division. Those which are particularly dangerous and unstable are generally sent to AHMD for destruction. If destroying the artifact is impractical or impossible, only then is it further studied, and a special containment plan developed. Following categorization, the same trucks that bring artifacts from the field will transport them to their destinations, typically on a regular schedule, though priority shipments of hazardous artifacts for destruction or special containment are also common, and a few trucks are kept on hand for emergencies.

Stable Artifact Deep Storage

This branch is dedicated to the secure storage of paranormal artifacts that are not inherently dangerous, but which are not suitable for public access. This comprises the vast majority of artifacts acquired by the USPEOIU, and the artifacts in question range from articles altered by ambient magic to minor talismans to documentation concerning paranormal phenomena to stable alien technology. The Branch Chief oversees numerous Site Chiefs as well as infrastructural and bureaucratic concerns, from artifact identification and tracking to procurement - as a general rule, assignment to SADS is regarded as, at best, a sinecure, and at worst perhaps the most mundane job to require an SCI clearance.  Whatever magical properties they may possess, items that are by definition stable require no particular talent or scheme to oversee.   The typical Stable Artifact Deep Storage Facility or SADS-Facility is a fairly ordinary warehouse, ideally placed in a somewhat remote location, with at least two armed USPEOIU personnel and an 8' fence. This is sufficient to deter casual intruders, but primarily the SADS rely on 'security through obscurity'. The mundane, relatively unguarded appearance of the facility avoids unwanted attention being placed on the building and transfers to/from it, with the exact contents of a given warehouse being obscured and listed in a higher-security office.  Certain 'semi-stable' artifacts sensitive to environmental conditions may be contained in specialized facilities, the most common requirement being refrigeration.  Artifacts which may be dangerous under certain circumstances or require individualized conditions are either the responsibility of AHMD or SCP. A specialized SADS facility known as 'the Ranch' is located in Montana, devoted to the containment of paranormal animals.  The Ranch is essentially exactly what it's nickname suggests - a vast, isolated ranch, though it has elevated security to prevent unauthorized passerby from wandering onto the grounds (intentionally or otherwise).  In addition

Abnormal Hazardous Materials Disposal

The AHMD is dedicated to the purpose of thoroughly destroying paranormal materials as quickly and safely as possible. The USPEOIU long since outgrew the urge to keep dangerous things they can't control around, and it is generally accepted that unstable - or dangerous and simply unecessary - items are best destroyed. There are a total of 4 dedicated facilities (one in New England, one the Southeast, one the Southwest, and the last in the Virgin Islands) all located in remote locations with extensive layers of defenses - though only the outer one, it is noted, faces outward. Additionally, every SATS categorization has an on-staff team and a mobile destruction furnace. A typical talisman can be destroyed by warping or breaking its internal pathways sufficiently, easily accomplished by mundane means - a wand, for instance, is essentially a wooden stick and stops working when snapped - but not all magical substances are so easily disposed of, and some do not take kindly to attempts. All active portions of the facility, excepting the loading dock, no longer require human presence under normal circumstances. Upon arriving, the truck crew departs their vehicle to the command bunker. Teleoperated forklifts then remove the hazmat and place them onto a conveyor system, which transfers them underground, wherupon they are remotely inspected, the recommendation of the SATS supervisor verified or amended, and routed to a suitable destruction method. This step also verifies the materials have not been removed, modified, or replaced. Typical destruction method is a magically insulated furnace capable of reaching temperatures in excess of 5000 centigrade, which is capable of melting everything it cannot incinerate. The materials are loaded within their secure case for additional protection, and the entire disposal facility is underground with a blast sarcophagus built over it. Other disposing of methods include immersion in acid, grinding, obliteration via laser, or other, more exotic methods such as subjection to holy water or even 'simple' high-powered magical disjunction. Certain objects which are particularly 'reactive' may be disposed on an open range via explosive.

Paranormal Detention Agency and Liason

This branch, known as the 'PDA' or simply 'detention', is dedicated to the 'containment' of people with paranormal abilities or natures.  This is not, in itself, a crime, and the USPEOIU recognizes the human-equivalents rights of all sapient beings.  It is, however, a concern for conventional corrections departments, both in terms of safety of officers and inmates, as well as the integrity magic's secrecy.  Individuals are detained only following conviction in a court of law, for the term for which they have been sentenced, though certain cases may require a judge with special clearance, and in extremis it may not be possible to form an impartial, uninvolved jury.  PDAL has responsiblity for all convicts classified by the USPEOIU, but there are several levels of security, in addition to conventional security measures.  To this end, it both maintains its own, specialized 'GCP' (General Containment Protocol) facilities and liasons, which manage the handling of classified convicts in general population facilities, as well as advising on any necessary modifications to trial or other legal procedures.  The PDAL also maintains its own to consult on detention and other issues, working in conjunction with the office of the Attorney Paranormal. The majority of classified individuals are assigned a 'Low Risk' categorization.  This is generally assigned to individuals whose paranormal abilities are extrinsic or very minor, with the caveat that crimes of espionage or the like may be moved to Elevated Risk.  Low Risk convicts are held in external facilities, with a notification to corrections staff to impose additional restrictions on relevant objects, such as grimoires and potential talismans. Those whose abilities are not deemed beyond the ability to handle via conventional countermeasures, but which are less easily divested are assigned a 'Medium Risk' classification.  Typically, these individuals are remanded to dedicated PDA facilities for their sentence, under a standardized GCP that differs little from normal prison procedures, except that the guards are USPEOIU trained personnel - with both the training and clearance to deal with magical phenomena.  A special category 'Medium Risk, Priviledged', exists for convicts with a history of good conduct deemed unlikely to employ their abilities in the general population, and as such which can be assigned to either PDA facilities or the general population. The penultimate category is of course 'High Risk', given to convicts with major paranormal abilities which include deadly 'weaponry', mental influence, illusion, teleportation or similar abilities.  These are remanded to more specialized, secure facilities with counter-magic lockdown capability and guards equipped with appropriate countermeasures. Further General Containment Protocols apply based on the specific nature of the abilities in question. After High Risk comes 'Special Risk', prisoners with extremely dangerous capabilities requiring a dedicated Special Containment Protocol.  The simplest Special Containment Protocols dictate additional guard precautions in a High Risk facility or continual countermagic supression, the most elaborate may require purpose-built cells or, in one case, a dedicated building.
<List of facilities>

'2nd Division' - Containment Division

Secure Artifact Transfer System

Stable Artifact Deep Storage

Abnormal Hazardous Materials Disposal

Paranormal Detention Agency and Liasion

Interstellar Extradition and Legal Affairs

Special Containment Protocols

'3rd Division' Special Phenomenon Research Division

Psychokinetic Phenomena Categorization, Analysis, and Development (Spell Research)

Paranormal Artifact Analysis & Research

Novel Life-Form Catalogue

Abnormal Countermeasure Practices and Tactics

Talismanic Devices, Advanced Technology, and Interface Research

Psychokinetic Theory and Mechanics

Metaphysical Research and Dynamics

Advanced Aerospace Liason Office

'4th Division' - Paranormal & Special Intelligence Division

Public Data Surveillance and Analysis

Prognostic Deployment and Analysis

Augmented National Threat Counter-Intelligence Annex

Paranormal Organizations Research & Threat Assessment

High-Risk Assessment & Surveillance

Non-Human Intelligence Theory and Practices

Undercover Operations

Intelligence Theory & Devices Development

Interdimensional Survey & Reconnaissance

Advanced Space Signals & Surveillance

Extraterrestrial & Extradimensional Threat Analysis

'5th Division' - Special Operations Logisitics Division

Personnel Management

Generic Supply Acquisition

Armory & Motor Pool

Talisman Development and Manufacturing

Special Technology Development and Manufacturing

6th Division - Extraterrestrial Affairs Division

Starport Operations

Space Assets Force

Extraterrestrial Civil Defense Liason

Resident Alien Support

United Worlds of Easal Consular Staff

Outlander Flotillas Consular Staff

'7th Division' - Public Relations Division

Identification & Cover Synthesis

Public-Suitable Reporting Department

Alternate Narrative Development and Deployment

Media Management & Redaction

Involved Citizen Liason

'Omega Division' Threat Response Task Forces

General Dimensional Threat Force ('Nightwatch')

Demonic Counterintelligence & Reaction ('Cold Showers')

Aetheric Entity Amelioration and Containment ('Winterguard')

Lycantrophe Isolation and Containment ('Zookeepers')

Existential Threat Interdiction Command ('EXCOM')

Military/Intelligence Annex

Founding Date

October 4th, 1882

Type

Government, Law Enforcement

Alternative Names

GMMUO

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