When the Army SIB Unit formed in 1983, there were very mixed ideas on what was perceived to be the role of the unit and the people posted to it. In essence the unit was seen as a small elite autonomous organisation dedicated to combating crime within the Army on behalf of the Army. The members posted to the unit were self motivated and dedicated investigators who displayed integrity and personal fortitude while conducting exacting and involved investigations, frequently unpopular investigations, on behalf of the user units. Over the past 10 years belief and confidence in the unit and its members has only been strengthened.

In 1975 the unit was known as 5 MP Coy (SIS), but changed afterwards to 5 MP Coy (SIB) and then finally changed to Army SIB Unit with no mention of Military Police in the title. There was no change to the unit roles and tasks.

In 1983 the basic company structure was fairly similar to that of today, with the exception of course of the section in Darwin. The Company HQ was relocated from Canberra to Ingleburn to Green Hills. HQ 3 Pl moved from St Kinda Road, Melbourne to the DSU building at Watsonia, and eventually to purpose built facilities at Freer Lines. HQ 2 Pl moved from Ingleburn to the new MP Centre along with the Company HQ. Brisbane moved from a connex/skid hut at Indooroopilly to the old GMP building at Enoggera. Perth Section has moved from Karrakatta to Lleuwyn and Adelaide Section has moved from Somerton Park to ALB out of Guildford.

In the main, things have remained unchanged other than increasing some of the outlying Detachments to Sections with a SSGT and SGT. We have a new presence with Darwin Section and there are still one man Detachments at Hobart, Kapooka and Canberra, the last being created when Company HQ moved to Ingleburn.

Training for the SIB Investigators has been quite unique. Members went through an intense Primary Investigators Course and a Regimental Photographers Course. This meant that an investigator was basically self sufficient and could, when necessary, carry out all aspects of an investigation by themselves. Not necessarily a desirable practice but often the only solution due to manpower constraints. The training received by the investigators has helped to produce confident and competent investigators whose work and professionalism is commented on favourably by service commanders and other police agencies. Members underwent detachments over the years to Homicide, Fingerprints, BCI, Fraud and Drug Squads in various states, which not only enhanced their skills as investigators but built up a priceless liaison with the various police forces.

In the early 1980s we still operated under the ALM and were governed by the Judges Rules post 1964. In 1985 the service then embraced the DFDA, which in essence was originally created for FEDPOL. Generally, little changed for the SIB as the old Judges Rules were similar in content to the constraints placed on Investigating Officers under the DFDA. The DFDA made investigators somewhat more accountable, which in turn made us more professional.

In the early eighties a majority of the investigator’s work was handwritten whether it be statements, notebook entries or records of interview, the latter naturally being typed. This was very labour intensive and time consuming. Now we can use video cameras for interviews and computers/word processors whether it be for statement taking or writing the dreaded final reports. Many viewed the new technology with scepticism and distrust but it has proved to be a boon to the average investigator. I guess it is true, it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks.

The advent of MCI created a major turmoil within the RACMP. Like any change it just had to be wrong! ‘If I wanted to be an SIB wakker I would have joined them!’, was a popular catchcry. Nobody likes change, however, to the junior members of the Corps, and those not afraid to ‘give it a go’, its working out okay. Sure there have been teething problems but people learn by their mistakes. From an SIB viewpoint, it has greatly reduced the work load on the individual investigator and allowed them more time on complex or protracted investigations.

The Force Structure Review has had a far reaching effect on the RACMP and in particular the SIB, although one of the core responsibilities of RACMP remains investigations. The Army SIB Unit will cease to exist in its present format with the investigators coming under direct command/control of their respective BASC with technical control remaining at the Directorate of Military Police. Each Military Police Section has an integrated 315/190 element with the senior 315/190 as the respective Section Commander. Although there will undoubtedly be initial teething problems the change is workable. All changes create uncertainty, but with a flexible open minded approach it can be made to work. The support to the Land Army has increased with the restructuring of 4 MP Coy and its relocation to Sydney. The SIB input is no longer ‘shadow posted’ but it is fully fostered by Land Command.

Over the past few years, overseas deployment has taken on new meaning for the SIB. Butterworth remains a constant, but Namibia and Cambodia opened a new chapter in the use of SIB. In Namibia, SIB utilised on operations for the first time since Vietnam. In Cambodia the WO SIB conducts investigations with the FCU. With the advent of 41 MP Pl there will be greater opportunities for SIB members to be exposed to overseas commitments. Land Command now have there own investigators and I am sure they will be more than gainfully employed.

This is a new chapter in the history of the SIB. It remains to be seen how we can cope with the new changes of command and structure. The success or failure of the new structure will rest in the main on the shoulders of the respective Section Commanders. SIB members have the resilience to cope with change and make the re-organisation a success. I only hope we are proved right.

The following lament was recently heard being tunelessly sung by an SIB member (apologise to Lennon and McCartney!).

Another SIB member succinctly phrased his view of our demise with the following:

Pride without Prejudice

(Requiescat in Pace)

‘In the Army at large the disbandment of the SIB Unit may pass with only a whimper but in the hearts and minds of those that were fortunate enough to have served in its ranks the impact will be much more profound.

Others will record and relate the official history of the unit and no doubt some appropriate people will utter appropriate praise at appropriate gatherings to commemorate its passing. But for those of us who have served a career in the Army SIB Unit a library of recorded history could not convey the fullness of satisfaction and pride that come from being ‘SIB’. Being ‘SIB’ was more than being just an Investigator, it was more than the counter lunches and endless report writing, it was just as much an attitude as an ECN. To know what it meant you just had to have been there.’