ADEPTUS ARBITES
The Law of the Imperium
The Adeptus Arbites are the police force for the Imperium. On every world that still has some Imperial direct control from Earth (and some that have lost that contact), Arbites patrol the urban areas. These arbites are resposible for bringing about and keeping the laws of the Imperial Book of Order. (Note; this is NOT the Imperial Creed--the official religion. The Arbites are not on planets to enforce the "Emporer as God;" that's the job of the Ecclisiarchy. Arbites often even allow slightly twisted versions of the Imperial Creed to become dominant in areas, as long as it helps keep order. The Ecclisiarchy CAN, and often do, request Arbite support in route out cults, mutants and the like. Arbites are often among the first called for such jobs.)
Te official position of the Arbite is law enforcer; essentially they are the police of the future. They rely on their training, fearsome appearance and a healthy dose of force to keep the ord in most places. Arbites are stationed in precincts, with most metropolitan areas having at least one pricinct, though larger areas may have more. The heirarchy goes like this:
Judge: commander of a pricinct; rarely leaves the safety of the pricinct compound, except for dire emergencies
Marshall: sub-commander; often in direct control of a single squad
Trooper: individual Arbite
Typically, there are two main Arbite squad types.
Patrol Squad: waering black carapace armor, and helmets with mirrored visors, these Arbites are the ones that brave the daily patrol outings into the metro areas. Most carry the Arbite combat shotgun, with its various armaments, and a sidearm, usually a laspistol. Many patrol squads are given a grenade launcher; again with a variety of special munitions. Some are armed with the highly desired boltgun, though that is usually in response to a significant threat. A patrol group seeks out crime and criminals, and dispenses justice on the spot. Very few criminals or suspects are taken to the pricinct for judgement.
Riot Squads: Arbites are also required to assist in uprisings. These Arbites wear uniforms similar to the patrolmen, with red or white helmets more common than the black. Armament is very different, however. Suppression shields give better protection and also give off an electical shock to any that touch, or are bashed by, the shield, stunning them. They are carry power mauls, which also stun, though with a bit more force behind the swing.
Variety in Arms
For the combat shotguns, two types of shot are common. The first is the typical scatter shot, much like modern bird- or buckshot. Used for croud dispersment. The other is a solid shot. With more weight and a thick slug, this is used for more dire combat, such as against genestealer cults, traitor Imperial Guardsmen, or mutants.
Many grenade types are available for hand or launcher use that are not comon in other militant forced in the 41 millenium. Smoke grenades provide cover. Tear grenades are used to disperse crowds. Hallucigen greades, naturally, have their own uses as well.
Patrol and riot cars are available with a variety of arms as well. Similar to a chimera, these cars are used to give transport as well as provide a significant fire base. Multi-lasers, heavy bolters, heavy stub guns, autocannons, and heavy webbers are the weapons usually avaible to an Arbite pricinct and its cars. As most are connon enough in the 40K world, no explanation as needed. The webber, however, is different. Again, it is meant to subdue, rather than kill, in order to capture criminals to provide information rather than to be humane. It fires a stream of a gluey, fast-drying substance to catch and subdue.
In answer to the proposed questions:
Models were released. There were the following Arbites: boltgun, shotgun, grenade launcher, marshal (with his eagle plume), riot officers, necomunder enforcers
No full army list was ever released as a codex. They were available for use in Imperial armies, sort of as allies wouldbe used today.
There is a Chapter Apporved Codex released in Citidl Journal years ago. Found here:
http://www.futurehistory.co.za/articles/chapter_aproved/articles/adeptus_arbites.htmNote te biker squad. Never mentioned in 40K before this army list (at least that I can recall).
They have not gone anywhere. They have always been, and likely always will be, a prt of the 40K universe. Its just that they were never meant to be a full army force. Think about this: L.A. police can deal with a looting riot, but would be woefully unprepared for an invasion by alien forces.
Rules-wise, you can still use them in your Witchhunter and Daemonhunter forces (and maybe IG, but I'd have to check).