Citizen Defence Groups (or Citi-Def) are formal militias in Mega-City One and Texas City[1], with a different group for each city block. It's unclear exactly when they started but they are a major part of the city's defence policy (as well as a recurring problem).
The membership are part-time and while there are dedicated professionals in the ranks, there are also many 'weekend warriors' who signed up because they watched too many vid-slugs.
Their uniforms vary wildly from block to block (and artist to artist), and are presumably modified.
Function[]
The idea is that they will defend their blocks from disaster or attack and assist the Judges. In practice, the Citi-Def's are often badly trained, full of bored and belligerent citizens, and are often the cause of problems: Citi-Def's have been involved in block wars, disastrous training exercises, secessions, and the like.
The Chief Judge only places them on active alert during emergencies, for fear of what they might do otherwise.[2] During Chaos Day, enraged Citi-Def units were a key threat that drove the Judges out of sectors.
Their most prominent positive role was in the Apocalypse War. Citi-Def soldiers fought bravely against the East Meg One invaders, working directly with the remnants of Justice Department. They also helped stabilize the situation after the war ended, guarding checkpoints and food supply queues, which brought them into conflict with the League Of Fatties They've subsequently fought for the city during Judgement Day[3] and in Nero Narcos' Second Robot War, and some loyalist groups helped the Judges secure blocks during Chaos Day.
Arsenal[]
Weapons shown include:
- Heavy light guns
- Rocket launchers
- Sonic cannons and sonic wave generators
Mongoose RPG[]
Minatures of Citi-Def Squad: Jaegir is masked in front, officer is in back, and includes medic.
A sub-division of Citi-Def was invented for the game (and subsequent minatures game with Warlord), the Jaegir Commando: a full-time soldier who, compared to the rest of the squad, is an "elite". Officers are also said to be career soldiers.[4]
Atlantis has its own Citi-Def equivalent, Aqua-Def, but these take a regular payment to stay on more regular duty and are given more training. Its members are headhunted for the Atlantis Sea-Corps force.[5]
Notes[]
The Citi-Def was first introduced in 2000 AD Annual 1981, for "The Case of the Urban Gorillas!", with "Citizen Defence" confirmed as the full name. They were quickly taken out by the eponymous urban gorillas and were only shown in gym clothes. Later strips would them distinctive uniforms. The later "Block Mania!" would confirm they're a part-time group.