What is the American Police Force and what is it doing in Montana?

USA Today (Link) - Doug Stanglin (October 1, 2009)

A secretive California outfit called the American Police Force is taking over the 2-year-old, never-used prison in Hardin, Mont., that was briefly considered a possible spot for Guantanamo prisoners.

The story has many twists and turns. We recommend you read The Billings Gazette article for a primer on the story. KULR TV of Billings, Mont., The Missoulian, and Talking Points Memo are also on the case.

APF's website, which has been periodically unavailable (click here for a recent cache of their site), says it "leverages the talent and expertise of their extensive global network to provide local, regional, and national security solutions to the United States Government and other clients who are in need of customized private investigative services."

Here's its website pitch:

Whether you are suspicious about a cheating spouse or concerned about a personal threat, APF's team will employ their experience to fulfill your domestic investigation needs.

In one odd twist, Becky Shay, a reporter for the Billings Gazette who has reported extensively on the Hardin Prison, quit her job and is now a spokeswoman for the group in Hardin. Except that she now mainly has "no comment" when pressed about what is going on.

Some other unusual wrinkles:

Update at 2:34 p.m. ET: Talking Points Memo reports that the city's economic development arm, apparently concerned about the publicity around whatever is going on, has posted this message on its website (click here to read it yourself):

The contract with AFP is not with the City of Hardin. It is with TRA. TRA is a quasi-governmental arm of the city.

We welcome anyone to visit our town! There are no commandos in the streets. There is no fence or gate being built around Hardin. People are free to come and go as they please. APF is not running our town or our police force.

The local Big Horn County Sheriff's Department is in charge of all police functions in Hardin and Big Horn County and has been since 1976.

This is a collection of information from looking into the logo of the private company American Police Force following reports that they were replacing a Sheriff's office in the town of Hardin reported September 28, 2009. On this screenshot from their front page, I was curious what would lead this company to use this coat of arms as their logo. While I didn't really get any answer, there is a history to it.

"American Police Force is dedicated to maintaining our well deserved professional reputation as a results oriented full-service private investigative and security agency by way of commitment, diligence, unique resources, creativity, and tenacity on behalf of our clients.

American Police Force leverages the talent and expertise of their extensive global network to provide local, regional, and national security solutions to the United States Government and other clients who are in need of customized private investigative services. Some of our services include highly sophisticated background checks, asset searches, undercover investigations both domestic & international, and much more."

Interesting in looking into the logo, I found the following excerpted information regarding the Arms of Greece.
 

...The next dynasty was the Laskarid and the first reigning emperor of the family was Constantine Laskaris (Κωνσταντίνος Λάσκαρης). Constantine was emperor from 1204-1205. The blazon of the arms of this family is Or a double headed eagle displayed Sable beaked Gules beneath an eastern crown Or. The family reigned from 1204-1261.

 

The final Imperial Byzantine dynasty was that of the Palaiologos/Paleologus (Παλαιολόγος). The first of the family to reign was Michael VII Palaiologos from 1259-1282. The arms of the dynasty were Gules a cross between four letters B Or. The letters B stand for Βασιλεύς Βασιλέων Βασιλέυων Βασιλευόντων (King of Kings Ruler of Rulers). This dynasty ends with the tragic demise of the emperor Constantine XI, last emperor of the Byzantine Empire on May 29, 1453. After his death, the lands of the empire went to the new Ottoman Empire.

Though the Ottoman Empire did not officially have a coat of arms, it did utilize those displayed below.  The Ottomans ruled over the territories from the fall of Constantinople to Mehmed II Fath El-Istanbul in 1453 through 1923.

Now look at the combination of both of these crests in the American Police Force crest (left) and state flag of Serbia (right):

 

From Wikipedia: "After their settlement in the Balkans, Serbs formed a medieval kingdom that evolved into a Serbian Empire, which reached its peak in the 14th century. In the 16th century Serbian lands were conquered by Ottomans. Serbia regained independence from the Ottoman Empire in a 19th century revolution and subsequently expanded its territory."

It would appear to be a combination of the final two Greek Dynasties before the rise of the Ottoman Empire at the fall of Constantinople. Why use this crest for this private mercenary police force? I don't know.