Militia

The Militia of SFR Yugoslavia ( / ) was a law enforcement agency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1992. The Militia was subordinated to the Federal Secretariat of Internal Affairs ( / ). Formed during World War II in Yugoslavia on territories controlled by the Yugoslav Partisans, at different times it was named Partisan Guard, Peasant Guard, People's Defence etc. In 1944 it was named People's Militia, and in 1966 Militia. Overview The duties of the Militia included protecting the life and personal liberty of citizens, public and private property, maintaining public order and peace, public safety, preventing violations of public order, investigating criminal cases and neutralizing criminals, as well as other duties provided by Yugoslav laws. The Militia was armed with high-quality small arms and equipped with the latest technical equipment and uniforms. The organization of the Militia and the activities of its employees complied with the principles of workers' self-management. Unlike the Yugoslavia's military, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), the Militia was organized in a decentralized way, on a territorial basis. The structure of the Militia formations was as follows: branch – sector – platoon – company – battalion – detachment – brigade. The Militia carried out cooperation with the JNA and its military police; in the event of war, the Militia was part of the Territorial Defense.