Basically, a military force that also has law enforcement responsibilities.
For Hawking, the population has an aversion towards maintaining a large military force. For their particular situation the Hawking Gendarmerie is more of a police force that also has the responsibility of defending the city from attacks by the local Grawla. While it is expected that they act professionally in their duty as police officers it is also expected that the area they are in might suddenly become a warzone requiring the evacuation of locals, an armed response, or both.
Generally the inspiration for them is the French Gendarmerie, which is notable for their ability to get the job done without firing a shot.
Gendarmerie - Wikipedia
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For Hawking, the population has an aversion towards maintaining a large military force. For their particular situation the Hawking Gendarmerie is more of a police force that also has the responsibility of defending the city from attacks by the local Grawla. While it is expected that they act professionally in their duty as police officers it is also expected that the area they are in might suddenly become a warzone requiring the evacuation of locals, an armed response, or both.
Generally the inspiration for them is the French Gendarmerie, which is notable for their ability to get the job done without firing a shot.