Police forces tend to dissipate, fragment or lose operational authority when an existing supporting system weakens, public legitimacy erodes or state institutions can no longer proffer assistance, coordination and command. In many countries, policing depends heavily on centralised authority, legal trust and public money; once these foundations disappear, policemen may resign, refuse orders or divide into groups to pursue collective interests. In militancy-infested regions, target killings of policemen can trigger a chain reaction which, if not immediately addressed, may lead to the formation of fluid police structures which are volatile, unpredictable and can act for or against state institutions. In special circumstances, groups comprising former police officials or ex-military men are more lethal in tactics, attacks, strategy and structure than ordinary armed groups. If they tend to join hands with militant forces, state legitimacy gets challenged every day. These groups are adept in weapon handling, public coercion, training and recruitment.........

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