[Double Tap]

Paramilitary is an organization operating in substitution for or as a supplement to a regular military force. That is not what our police force does. It enforces civilian laws and codes. That is something that our military is forbidden to do, or used to be.

[ModernDayCato]

Yep that's what paramilitary means. And I'm not sure what the modifier 'civilian' in front of laws and codes means, unless you're comparing them to 'military' laws and codes, for which there are (surprise) MILITARY POLICE.

[ModernDayCato]

BTW, this is the definition in my dictionary for paramilitary:

adj : of or relating to a group of civilians organized to function like (or in aid of) a military unit n : a group of civilians organized in a military fashion (especially to operate in place of or to assist regular army troops) [syn: paramilitary organization]

Police departments are organized in a military fashion.