Military Police?

Hardin, Montana who, for the past 30 years has had no local police, saw three Mercedes SUV’s marked, “City of Hardin Police Department.” (1) The vehicles are part of the “American Police Force” a paramilitary outfit according to their website specializing in surveillance, investigative, and military services with offices in all 50 states and most Countries around the world. (2) It also states their efforts are to “protect our homeland and combat terrorism.” (2)

The APF was originally contracted by the Two Rivers Authority (city’s economic development agency) to provide security at a previously vacant $27 million dollar prison facility. There are no prison contracts and government databases don’t show any record of the California based company who was incorporated in March. (3) (4) Security industry and federal officials have never heard of the outfit. The APF holds a ‘virtual office’ with a Washington building as its address, although a spokeswoman for the building said APF never finished the application for the address. Questions of the company’s legitimacy are now swirling. (3) After a push from Mayor Ron Adams the logos were taken off of the SUV’s two days later. (4)

Adding more to the controversy The Two Rivers Authority Executive Director Greg Smith, who aided in bringing APF to Hardin, is now on paid leave for reasons unexplained. (1)

When asked about the money for the jail and training center, Public relations director for APF Becky Shay says, “I know enough about where the money is coming from to be confident with signing on with them.” (4) She stated “We are here as American Police Force and we will always work with you as American Police Force.” (1) “This corporation’s intention is to buy local and stay local and do local business as much as we can,” said Shay. (5)

The question remains: who is APF? “’They're really invisible,’ said Alan Chvotkin, executive vice president and counsel for the Professional Services Council. The group's members include major security contractors Triple Canopy, DynCorp and Xe Services, formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide.” (3)

Some Hardin residents are optimistic for the attention and business this will bring to the area and have no problems with the private security force. APF leader Captain Michael Hilton stated, “…intentions are good.” (5) APF has stated, “the community has nothing to fear,” and that, “its plans will help stimulate the Hardin economy.” (5)

Sources:
[1] Hardin jail operators detail plans for training facility, expansion
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_ee552180-aac1-11de-b6ed-001cc4c03286.html

[2] American Police Force Organization
http://www.americanpolicegroup.com/american_police_force_about.html

[3] AP ENTERPRISE: Montana jail deal raises questions
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifOx0LPKy5B_0KAyPHyNTEqdQz6QD9AM0VM80

[4] American Police Force Corporation Takes Over Small Town Police Force and Prisoner-Less Jail.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/09/29/crimesider/entry5351491.shtml

[5] APF Reveals Little Information
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/62465902.html

Local News Clip:
[6] American Police Force Blackwater Two Rivers FEMA Camp Hardin Montana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdhdx_vVwpo