Graner and others testified that many senior officers were aware of the activities and actively supported them.

The officers supported the revolution but pretended they still supported the regime.

A Kent Police spokesman said that officers were supporting the investigation and were monitoring any potential local anger.

The "assigned" officer - ignorant of how, why or by whom the person was arrested - cannot independently support the criminal charges, which ultimately are dropped.

The association considers itself nonpolitical, although its officers support affirmative action.

Senators also heard testimony that suggested female officers support broader combat roles more than enlisted personnel.

Another police chief told military inspectors that his officers engaged in abuse "and supported it as a method of conducting investigations."

"The other officers supported me with their cheers," Mr. Koch noted.

But he added that a review has been ordered to ensure no American officers were encouraging or supporting a coup on their own.

But the Panamanian commander found that most officers either tacitly supported the uprising or sat on the fence.