Čermak je bio komandant Kninskog garnizona i najviši po rangu hrvatski vojni autoritet u nadležnosti garnizona, a Markač je bio komandant specijalne policije ministarstva unutrašnjih poslova.
Cermak was commander of the Knin Garrison and the highest ranking Croatian military authority in the garrison's jurisdiction, and Marcak was commander of the interior ministry's special police.