Apollo Police Department
Structure
The APD has a hierarchy that is somewhat similar to that of police organizations around the world with the striking difference that these officers are born and bred to handle criminal activities in one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Although each rank has different responsibilities, badge types and equipment, they all share the same blue and white uniform and the desire to keep Apollo's streets clean.
Sun Cadet
These are the lowest-ranking officers in the APD. Initiates are assigned as Sun Cadets an given various tasks that the APD believes to be menial, from clerical work to janitorial duties to processing petty fines. They rarely leave the precinct and are known to have a high turnover rate due to both attempted corruption and pressure to rise up in rank. Only a Sun Cadet that has been with the APD for a year is permitted to carry a service weapon. Their APD badge is in the shape of a small sun.
The Shields
The most important division of the APD, these officers are tasked with routine law enforcement around Apollo City. There are three distinct types of Shield Officers: White, Red & Black, each having their specific color outlined on their police badges shaped like Greek shields.
White Shields are responsible for patrolling Apollo City, responding to domestic disputes, petty crimes and general disturbance of the peace. They carry Baretta M9 semi-automatic pistols, a taser gun, pepper spray, a radio and a flashlight. They drive modified white Dodge Chargers.
Red Shields are the investigative unit of the APD, responsible for responding to homicides and complicated situations where further, more experienced analysis is required. They carry Colt Python revolvers, a snub nosed ankle revolver, a radio and a flashlight. They drive modified 1967 Chevrolet Impalas.
Black Shields are effectively the S.W.A.T. unit of the APD, responsible for raids, fulfilling warrants for dangerous criminals and gang suppression. They carry a plethora of military-grade weaponry but are most often seen with a FAMAS assault rifle, hand grenades, flash grenades, white phosphorus grenades, Desert Eagle handgun, a radio, a flashlight, bear mace and full-body Kevlar armor. They drive armored Jeep Wranglers. Some believe that Black Shields possess physical capabilities above that of the average human and it has been documented that various past Black Shield Officers were steroid users.
Firebrands
Integrated into the APD, Firebrands are responsible for handling arson investigations in collaboration with Red Shields. Additionally, they are the main firefighting force in Apollo City. Due to the various disasters, both natural and preternatural, that hit Apollo City, they are seen as a step above The Shields due to their dedication to saving as many lives as possible from the aftermath of clashes between heroes and villains.
They are identified by their ember-shaped badges. There is evidence, however scarce and questionable, that those who are destined to become Firebrands are actually reincarnations of those from the Far East who were incinerated by Savage Ken. People push this rumor due to the fact that no Firebrand has ever suffered burns or bodily harm from smoke inhalation, stating that "It felt familiar." Furthermore, Firebrands are known to suffer from nightmares of things they can not remember experiencing but feel as though they have.
Lifelines
These officers are responsible for emergency medical responses, responding to injured citizens and officers alike & reporting all medical information from varying crime scenes. Medics, EMTs and coroners make up this division but it is the most closely-watched by the rest of the department. Lifeline Officers are notorious for being involved in Apollo's drug rings in one way or another and some have even been fired for being Stargazers (Stars Addicts).
As such, The TOU have enforced a rigorous and routine drug testing system, as well as made the requirements to entry extremely strict like having a spotless criminal record and having at least three officers from other departments or one TOU accompany every call to the Aphrodite Hotel. Some say that the local drug lord, Ivory, uses Lifeline officers as mules and interim dealers but investigations have never distinctly connected the APD and Ivory or other Stars drug dealers in the city. Their badges are in the shape of Caduceus.
Those Who Watch Over Us
Also called The TOU, these are the APD lieutenants. They are responsible for overseeing The Sun Cadets, The Shields and the Firebrands' day to day workflow, ensuring that the APD uphold their moral responsibilities. In addition to standard APD uniforms, the TOU wear a short cavalier cape over one shoulder which is held against their body with a silver chain. They act as overseers for the department and the city, sometimes even accompanying major cases where supervisory discretion is required. Unlike other departments, they do not carry firearms. Instead, they carry a single high-frequency sword that is capable of slicing through most commercial defensive material. They are usually strict and of few words beyond sanctioned meetings. Their badges are in the shape of a laurel wreath with an eye in the center.
Supremes
This is the rank of the top APD Officer, which has been held by only a handful of people during the existence of Apollo City. Their responsibility is acting as liaisons between the mayor and the APD, attending press conferences on major crimes, handling distribution of force, hiring and reprimanding TOUs & approving any important decisions that fall below the mayor's power but above those of any other officers. Supremes mostly stay in the shadows and are heard, rarely seen. They wear full body cloaks with gold chains that anchor the cloth to their bodies and are known by their badges being in the shape of their own facial profile.
This is done to make it difficult for anyone to impersonate a Supreme, complete with a biometric system within the badge that will only recognize an appointed Supreme. Unlike other departments, Supremes do not carry weaponry of any kind and are said to be blessed by the Aether god to carry superhuman physical abilities. However, no one has ever confirmed exactly what abilities a Supreme wields. The most accepted rumor is that, despite their different traits, they all wield immense superhuman strength. This was evidenced during a news conference when the second Supreme, Anderson Phillips, tore the arms off of a local gang member during an assassination attempt.
History
The Apollo Police Department was started by Ochi Hasubari, who was a child of parents who were killed during the Far East Destruction. After witnessing the wrath of Savage Ken second-hand, and the threat of Sinister Maharana first-hand, he spearheaded the opportunity to create Apollo's own police force. Many people ridiculed him at first, believing that such a chaotic chain of islands could never be tamed and that crime would eventually run rampant. However, after witnessing the success of the local militia, The Watchdogs, Ochi Hasubari's determination grew into an obsession and he started holding open interviews for positions within the force.
Eventually, his persistence paid off, recruiting former military, ex-police from the ravaged parts of the United States and even fellow survivors of the Far East Destruction. After a few months and a generous funding by a now rallying public, the APD started to grow into multiple districts and precincts, allowing The Watchdogs to handle some of the most dangerous, supernatural crime while they took care of the day to day troubles of the massive city.
Ochi Hasubari became the first Supreme in the APD and wielded superhuman capabilities from his constant, nightly praying sessions near the Gaia Tree. He used his power to act as the APD's chief lie detector, clearing out corrupt officers and resolving petty criminal cases that devolved into "he said, she said". Eventually, his sifting of police officers created a solid force that rallied behind his belief that change could be established, even in the most terrible of places. He created the motto "Burning Justice, Righteous Law" as a way to turn the incineration of his parents and the corruption of the Archipelago, as a whole, on its head and into a positive mindset. Ochi Hasubari, however, died during a city-wide gang war that lasted two days. He suffered from multiple gunshot wounds which some say were deliberately done to execute him.
Though the APD was shaken by the death of their founder, the only TOU at the time and former San Antonio Deputy, Anderson Phillips, stepped up to become the second Supreme of the APD. During his tenure, supernatural occurrences were commonplace within Apollo City. He used his authority to better equip APD Officers with cutting-edge weaponry and tougher uniforms. He also established The Shields, making sure to utilize most of Apollo City's taxes to fund The Black Shields. Though many accept the fact that his superhuman strength came from the Aether god's blessing, there is also rumor that he is the one who started allowing APD Officers, especially The Black Shields, to take steroids.
After Hybris Penumbra's first massive attack on Apollo City, Supreme Phillips held a news conference that was interrupted by an attempted assassination from a local gang member. After the bullet bounced off his chest, he promptly stepped from behind the podium and tore off the gang member's arms before continuing the interview. Whereas the APD saw Supreme Hasubari as the heart and soul of the force, Supreme Phillips was seen as the iron fist needed to clamp down on non-supernatural evils within the city. Unfortunately, Supreme Phillips died after a risque night at the Aphrodite Hotel, getting into a fight with up and coming drug lord, Ivory. Though not confirmed, some believe he was able to kill Supreme Phillips after utilizing Stars.
Shortly after supreme Phillips' death, the current Supreme and first female chief, Jessica Dubois, took lead. She was yet another TOU and utilized Aether's blessing to suss out any corruption or disloyalty within the APD. She held a firm but fair hand with her ungodly speed and precision, allowing her to correct or reprimand without much notice. Her dedication to the force carried on Supreme Hasubari's spirit and drove her to establish The Firebrands and The Lifelines as permanent fixtures of the APD instead of separate, private agencies. To this day, she acts as a liaison to Mayor Katrina Masters and helps her run the city from the shadows.
Burning Justice, Righteous Law
Type
Government, Law Enforcement
Capital
Alternative Names
APD | The Shields | Sunshine Boys
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Location