Lungmen Guard Department

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lungmen Guard Department
Alias(es)	近卫局
Affiliation	Lungmen; operates under the Governor's Office, which can direct its authority and appointments 5 199
Occupation/Role	Lungmen's law-enforcement and public-security organization; responsible for public order, emergency response, and protection of civilian lives and property 1 27
Status	Active; later placed under Chief Swire and slated to conduct a joint citywide Rectification Campaign with the regularized Reunion Movement 199 203
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Establishment and Lower City policy

The Guard Department was established when Lungmen could not fully control the city's numerous underground forces. To preserve stability, the Governor's Office tacitly permitted a single force—the Rat King's organization—to dominate the Lower City rather than attempting to eradicate every gang at once. This arrangement left the Guard Department with limited direct control over the Lower City. 5

Its stated mission is to safeguard Lungmen's security and stability. Superintendent Ch'en stresses that service requires responsibility, sacrifice, practical ability, adaptability, and readiness for lethal danger rather than merely providing a secure career. 1

Recruitment reforms

After Ch'en and Swire became Senior Superintendents, the Guard Department adopted stricter recruitment examinations and rules. Incapable veteran personnel were reassigned to administrative work, while applicants unable to meet departmental standards were rejected. 3

Entrance training combines written performance with practical assignments. The bottom twenty trainees are normally eliminated, though departments may recognize exceptional practical performance and admit candidates despite poor previous results. 1 3

Luo Chen's admission became controversial because his completed Rat King assessment report was withheld due to its sensitive intelligence, making it appear that he had been admitted without results. 20 21

Public Security Management Brigade disciplinary crisis

Luo Chen's assignment to the Public Security Management Brigade exposed widespread misconduct, including workplace idling, dereliction of duty, internal fighting, and corruption. He reported officers under the Guard Department Regulations, prompting a Special Inspection Group investigation. 26 27

The investigation led to the suspension, investigation, or punishment of thirty-five officers. Swire publicly reprimanded Brigade Captain Motley and reassigned reviewed personnel to portray the criminal side in an upcoming department exercise. 28 34

The exercise evolved into a reform operation that tested officers' conduct, emergency readiness, and willingness to protect civilians. Several former Villain Group members reconsidered their behavior after civilians defended them, while Motley refused reform and was subsequently apprehended. 45 46 48

Undercover expansion into the Lower City

The Guard Department deployed Luo Chen as an undercover operative within the Reunion Movement, with Ch'en arranging for informant Nine to cooperate with him. 54

By Chapter 75, Luo Chen, Nine, and A Fa were all confirmed as Guard Department undercover personnel operating within the Reunion Movement. The Department later received reports confirming that Luo Chen had risen to lead the wider organization. 75 179

The Department's Action Team demonstrated rapid-response capability when it moved on Justice Square shortly after a hostile caller insulted the organization over a traced phone line. 87

Lungmen crisis and reorganization

After Luo Chen's ambitions and control of the Reunion Movement were exposed, Wei Yenwu, Ch'en, and Talulah suspended Swire, centralized Guard Department authority under Ch'en, and ordered the sealing of Reunion Movement properties and arrest of its members. The operation triggered major unrest in the Lower City. 190

During the subsequent conflict, Ch'en ordered Guard Department officers to withdraw from the Lower City, allowing the Reunion Movement's advance toward the Upper City. 195

A public emergency declaration attributed to Swire announced strategic cooperation between the Guard Department and the Reunion Movement, authorizing joint action against violent crime. The announcement rallied isolated officers and helped restore order. 197

Wei Yenwu later removed Ch'en as acting chief and appointed Swire as the Guard Department's chief. The Reunion Movement was then slated for official regularization as Lungmen's administrative law-enforcement force, with a joint Rectification Campaign planned one week later. 199 203

Organization

Command and departments

Unit / Position	Documented function
Governor's Office	Exercises authority over the Guard Department's strategic direction and senior appointments. 5 199
Senior Superintendents	Senior command officers, including Ch'en and Swire; may oversee operations and assume command during emergencies. 1 197
Special Inspection Group	Elite inspection unit that assigns dangerous assessments, investigates serious violations, and can discipline officers. 2 26 28
Public Security Management Brigade	Public-order unit in which Luo Chen, Todd, Carter, Motley, Evan, and Sun Yongsi serve or served. 24 30 32
Special Action Team / Action Teams	Armed response units deployed for arrests, security operations, and civilian evacuation. 44 47 87
Human Resources Department	Evaluates recruits and issues official admission lists. 20
Technical Department	Handles technical analysis and is subject to emergency-response attendance requirements. 5 43
Traffic Department and district Guard Departments	Support major operations through traffic controls, blockades, and local coordination. 44

Regulations and operational procedures

• Officers who discover violations must report them to superiors; serious or particularly serious violations must be reported to the Special Inspection Group. 26
• Repeated violations of work-discipline rules can result in suspension pending investigation and public reporting across the Department. 27
• Senior officers are required to reach headquarters within twenty minutes of a major-incident emergency notice. 43
• During major operations, the Department can deploy Action Teams, the Public Security Management Brigade, traffic controls, and district-level blockade networks. 44
• The Department's emergency regulations allow another Senior Superintendent to assume command when the chief loses the ability to command. 197

Equipment

• Uniforms and badges — Officers wear dark blue uniforms with Guard Department badges; official IDs are required to establish authority during operations. 29 39
• Batons and body cameras — Used by Public Security Management Brigade personnel during workplace patrols and inspections. 29
• Action Team gear — Action Team officers have been seen in armor with blades and Originium weapons. 87
• Capture nets and police vehicles — Used in the apprehension and transport of dangerous suspects. 48
• Alloy protective equipment — Luo Chen acquired alloy helmets, armor, and protective gear for allied law-enforcement personnel, though this equipment was not standard Guard Department issue. 65

Key Personnel and Relationships

• Ch'en Huijie — Superintendent and later acting chief; oversees recruitment, undercover work, and the Department's response to the Reunion Movement crisis. 1 54 190
• Beatrix Schwire — Senior Superintendent, exercise commander, and later appointed chief of the Guard Department. 28 34 199
• Hoshiguma — Senior officer and mentor figure to Luo Chen; supports him during recruitment and remains concerned for his safety within the Department. 2 21 23
• Luo Chen — Officer, inspector, and undercover operative whose investigations expose internal corruption and whose later actions reshape the Department's relationship with the Reunion Movement. 28 54 179
• Wei Yenwu — Governor of Lungmen; receives Guard Department intelligence and appoints Swire as chief after removing Ch'en from the acting position. 179 199
• Reunion Movement — Initially an infiltrated target; later announced as the Guard Department's strategic public-security partner and intended administrative law-enforcement counterpart. 54 197 203

Notable Quotes

“Impartial and just, enforcing the law like a mountain!” 36

“To make all evil tremble before us!” 36

“The Guard Department bears the important responsibility of Lungmen's security and stability. It is a place that requires people to dedicate and sacrifice themselves.” 1

Trivia

• The Department's Chinese name is 近卫局.
• Despite being widely viewed as an “iron rice bowl,” Ch'en explicitly rejects the idea that Guard Department service is a leisurely or risk-free career. 1
• Its Lower City policy is a longstanding source of controversy because stability was historically maintained through tacit tolerance of the Rat King's dominance. 5