People's Armed Police

The People's Armed Police (人民武裝警察部隊) is a paramilitary police force responisible for domestic security within the People's Republic of China. The PAP is not normally deployed and in contrast to the unarmed regular police who are members of the Public Security Bureau[?], PAP members carry sidearms.

The PAP was spun off from the People's Liberation Army in 1983 and was intended to remove domestic security functions from the People's Liberation Army. In general, the PLA views the PAP with disdain and considers the PAP a dumping ground for PLA rejects.