History
of the RACMP in Precis form
The
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP) is the Australian Army's
police force (Military Police) who provide for the policing and investigation
support both criminal and disciplinary to the Australian Army during war and
peace. Formed in 1916, the RACMP has participated in every war and conflict the
Australian Army has been involved in since 1901. As one of the older Corps in
the Australian Army, the RACMP provides an essential service, to both soldier
and commander, in times of war and peace.
In the words of one of the
greatest military commanders in history: You cannot have a good army
without a police force within - Napoleon Bonaparte
The Role of the RACMP
To
support the Australian Army, RACMP carries out a full range of policing duties,
from the provision of uniformed patrols to deter crime and enforce the law, to
providing 24 hour advice and assistance on policing and security matters to
Commanders and soldiers, Close Protection duties and the investigation of
offences, the more serious by the Military Police investigators who form part
of The Australian Defence Force Investigation Service (ADFIS).
During
war or peace enforcement operations, the RACMP provides essential support to
all units of the Australian Army, through route marking and reconnaissance,
signing, POW handling and security, VIP protection, processing of Displaced
Persons, protection of HQ and staff, investigation of serious and complex crime,
maintenance of morale and discipline, manning a Corrective facility, with
physical security and policing duties as required along with field
exploitation/evidence collection support.
So, what is the history
behind the Army's Police force, the RACMP?
On
01 March 1901, the various colonial military forces of the colonies of
The Provost Staff
The
first Military Police presence in the Australian Army were
the Provost Staff, formed as part of the Australian Army in 1912 to assist with
enforcement and management of the Universal Training Scheme (UTS). The UTS was
the Governments plan for raising and training military forces for use in times
of war only. The Provost Staff existed to purely support the UTS scheme and not
for the policing of the home Army. Their job was to investigate breaches of the
UTS scheme and prepare briefs for Area HQ staff who
were responsible for admininstering the scheme. They
did not police the Australian Army as we know the Corps today. During the 1st
World War, the Provost Staff were absorbed by the
newly raised Military Police Corps for home duties in
WW1
At
the outbreak of WW1, the Australian Government received a request from the
British Government to destroy the German Wireless network in the Western
Pacific and to take possession of German New Guinea, a German Colony since
1884. Known as the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) or
'Tropical Force', Military Police did not accompany this force, as it was not
felt necessary for the discipline of a 1500 man contingent.
The
first known Military Police officer in WW1, was a CAPT
Ravenscroft, who sailed with the ANMEF as the force
APM. Upon successful completion of the operation and capture of German New
Guinea, Colonel Holmes, the force commander, selected from amongst the ranks of
his contingent, a Military Police body to replace the local constabulary in
At
the same time, the Australian Army prepared for war to support the 'mother
country',
Prior
to the formation of a dedicated Military Policing organisation
for the AIF, Military Police detachments were formed from each Division's Corps
troops and were known as Mounted Military Police (MMP). MMP Company's worked
under the supervision of the Formation Provost Marshal. The MMP, often referred
to as just MP, took part in all the battles of the AIF prior to the creation of
the first Australian Military Police titled as the ANZAC Police Corps. At
Gallipoli, and later in
Whilst
the MMP performed admirably in battle, the toll of the work carried out by the
MMP was evident from the many that died in battle whilst policing the beaches
of Gallipoli, the trenches in
The
order for the ANZAC Police Corps to be raised was promulgated on 3 April 1916.
Later that same year, Australian Military Order 268 dated 13 June 1916,
includes the order that 'The Military Police of AIF will hereafter form a
Corps, promotion in which will, as far as the extingencies
of the service admit, be within the Corps and not within individual portions
thereof'. The 13th of June 1916, is considered to be the Corps birthday and is
celebrated on this day every year.
Then
'Anzac Provost Corps', AIF Order 496 dated 23 Feb 1917, was approved and the
use of a navy blue coloured hat band and metal
shoulder titles 'Anzac Provost Corps' were introduced to the Corps. This is
believed to be the first metal shoulder badge/title for the Australian Military
Police.
On
26 June 1917, AIF Order 719 was issued and reads 'members of the Anzac Provost
Corps, stationed in the line of Communication Area, B.E.F. and at such other
places as the GOC AIF may direct, will wear red hat bands in lieu of the blue
hat band'.
On
27 July 1917 AIF Order 771 was issued and reads 'No further appointments to the
Anzac Provost Corps except of men who have served in a fighting unit in
operations against the enemy will be made'. This was an important decision by
the Corps and the Army, which only increased the standards and professionalism
of the new Corps by ensuring that all Military Police would be of the highest
military and moral character.
On
1st January 1918, AIF Order 1058, authorised the
Corps to be renamed the 'Australian Provost Corps' and the 5th of February
1918, AIF order 1098, stated 'the metal shoulder badge (Anzac Provost Corps) authorised by AIF order 496 of 23.3.17, is being replaced
by a new badge "Australian Provost Corps", which will be worn in lieu
by members of the Australian Provost Corps'.
Created
as an instrument of the Staff to enforce discipline, the Australian Provost
Corps personnel became an essential element of command and control to both the
battlefield and camp commanders. At the front, the Provost was indispensable in
controlling traffic and prisoners of war (POW). In the camps and rear areas,
the Provost maintained discipline and ran the military detention centres.
By
the end of the War, Australian Military Police had served in all theaters and
locations where Australian troops were deployed and acquitted themselves well
in battle, proving the worth and expertise that the Corps can provide. The
Corps was disbanded in 1920 along with the AIF in 1921.
Between
the two World Wars, a small group of Regular Soldiers, known as the Provost
Staff, were allocated to military areas throughout
With
the cessation of compulsory military training in 1928, the Provost Staff became
almost defunct. The handful of Provost Staff that existed prior to WW2 formed
the nucleus of the Eastern Command Provost Company at the outbreak of WW2.
WW2
With
the outbreak of war in September 1939, the newly appointed Provost Marshal, Lt
Col. Henry Arthur Crowther, DSO, was appointed and
the Australian Army Provost Corps was raised again, commencing with raising the
6th Division Provost Company AIF. The AIF Provosts were the youngest, fittest
and best trained Provosts throughout WW2 unlike their Australian Militia or
Home Defence counterparts.
Along
with the AIF Provost Company was a Provost Company raised
in
Corps
training schools were opened and the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) was
formed from selected Provost personnel who became the
Army's 'detectives'. By 1943, SIB personnel were serving within
After
the transfer of personnel to the MP & DBS, the
Provost Corps strength was 168 Officers and 4100 ORs,
constituting 32 Provost Companies. Members of the Provost Corps were involved
with the surrender of the Japanese and the subsequent 'war crimes trials'
conducted on the islands of Morotai and Borneo as
well as
The
Military Police took part in every battle fought by the AIF during WW2 and
supported the troops during and after the battles.
At
the end of WW2 the Corps wartime strength was gradually reduced from 32 Provost
Companies to just two Platoons which were being formed on the
The
MP & DBS was abolished (1946) and their duties
returned to the AAPC with the raising of the 1st Military Corrective
Establishment (1MCE) at Holsworthy, NSW in 1948.
BCOF
With
the capitulation of
In
1946 the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group was dispatched for service with
BCOF. In February of that year, the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group
Provost Company was raised (about 150 all ranks) and in 1946, arrived in
This
unit, although it changed names throughout it's time with BCOF was to serve
until the Occupation ceased, as well as throughout the Korean War. During the
Korean War,
BCOF
Japan disbanded in early 1957 after the Korean War had ended. The British
Commonwealth Corrective Establishment was in
The
duties of the BCOF MP were mainly policing of Australian and Commonwealth
troops in leave centres and outside of unit areas as
well as ceremonial and traffic control. Serious/criminal activities were
investigated by members of the SIB.
1945 to 1950
With
the end of the Second World War, the Corps was maintained as an
"active" Corps of the Australian Army. The Corps
had proved itself during the war and demonstrated that Military Police were
essential to the support of troops in battle or training for war at home in
Significant
events were to happen to the Corps in line with changes throughout the
Australian Army. In September 1948, the prefix 'Royal' was granted to the
Australian Army Provost Corps to become the Royal Australian Army Provost Corps
(RAA Pro).
By
1950, all serving members of the RAA Pro were to be 'Regular Soldiers' and
enlisted in the new Australian Regular Army. All Officers of the Corps were now
to be graduates of RMC. The previous war time system of different enlistments
ceased to exist and all personnel were required to "sign on" with the
new Australian Regular Army.
A
new 'Rising Sun' badge had been adopted by the Australian Army and the Corps
was to gain a Corps badge. Uniquely Australian in design, the badge has been
worn proudly by all MPs to this day.
The
Military Prisons and Detention Barracks Service was
disbanded and the raising of the 1st Military Corrective Establishment was
raised at Holsworthy, NSW in 1948.
By
1950, the strength of the Corps had increased to 15 Officers and 282 ORs with Provost Companies located in Eastern and Southern
Commands, and units with restricted establishments in other commands around
Korean Conflict
Other
Australian MP detachments in
The
Corrective Establishment for
An
armistice was signed in 1953 and the conflict came to an end but combat troops
were required to be maintained as the 'truce' signed was often tenuous. This
was the case until 1955. By 1955, the 1st Commonwealth Division Provost Company
was disbanded and BCOF Japan then disbanded in early 1957.
The
essential battlefield support duties of traffic control and information posts,
along with maintenance (discipline patrols) of the rear areas were the daily
life of the Australian Provosts. Signing, route marking and vehicle convoys
were the daily routine with VIP protection and ceremonial parade support when
required. The Provosts were involved with the repatriation and swapping of POWs
from both sides with Australian MP providing route signing and convoy escorts
to the ambulances and vehicles bringing the allied POW home. After 1953, the
Provosts were involved in maintaining morale and discipline of the troops in a
"static" war, often under very trying and harsh climatic conditions.
1950s and early 1960s
1951
saw the strength of the Corps increased to 15 Officers and 282 ORs. National Service was resurrected with increased
commitments for the Provosts and a flurry of activity and diversification of
'new' units such as 1st Infantry Brigade Provost Platoon, 1st Division Provost
Company, Eastern, Southern and Western Command Provost Companies and L of C
Provost Units. In 1957, the 1st Infantry Brigade Provost Platoon would be the
first Regular Army MP unit raised in peace time for deployment at "short
notice" with
The
'Pentropic Division' experiment began shortly after
and the 1st Infantry Brigade Provost Platoon was to change names and roles to
fit with the new vision of the Australian Army. It was disbanded about three
years later when the 'Pentropic Division' had failed
and the Army re-invented itself again. The 1st Division Provost Company was
born.
Malaya, Borneo &
With
the end of the Korean Conflict the Australian Government agreed to supply
troops to assist the British in putting an end to anti-communist activities in
Malaya, Borneo and
It
1969, with the downsizing of British Troops, the unit became the 28th
Commonwealth Provost Unit and in 1971 with the re-establishment of a British
Presence, the unit was renamed the ANZUK Provost Unit. By the mid 1970s ANZUK
ceased to exist and the Australian Provosts were withdrawn.
As
On
11th January 1965, the
On
28th May 1965, a Section from the 1st Division Provost Company arrived in
National
Servicemen were conscripted into the Corps as MP and served along side Regular
Army MPs, with many being civil policemen who chose to
complete their National Service obligations in the Corps. They served in
Members
of the Army SIB also served in
The
AFV Provost Unit was disbanded on its return to
Reorganisation 1973 & 1970s
At
the end of the Australian commitment in
In
October 1973, a major review of the Corps was conducted and the results were
wide and sweeping changes. The Corps title was changed to Royal Australian
Corps of Military Police (RACMP) in 1974 to reflect the modern role of the
Military Police, the 'Standard' Military Police Company was agreed on as the
basic MP unit and all the Provost Companies were now to be designated Military
Police Companies. Also in the late 1960s, the designation of Military Police
changed from Provost NCO to Military Policeman. Also a new weapons allocation,
giving a much greater capacity to develop fire power, additional vehicles to
enhance individual mobility and increased equipment holdings to cope with an
extended operational posture were approved.
The
standardised MP Companies were:
1
MP Coy (
2
MP Coy (
3
MP Coy (
4
MP Coy (
5
MP Coy (SIB) (Army Office
The
first females joined the Corps and the last National Serviceman was to pass
through the MP School. Armbands changed colours from
red MP on black background to black MP on red background and a new pattern
white nylon belt was introduced.
In
January 1974, the Provost Training Centre was renamed the MP School and
relocated to Ingleburn to form part of the MP Complex
(co-located with 2 MP Coy and 1st Military Correction Establishment). This
coincided with the renaming of the Royal Australian Army Provost Corps to the
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP). The MP Complex was opened as
Coral Lines by the Colonel Commandant RACMP, Major General C.M.I. Pearson, AO,
DSO, OBE, MC in June 1974.
The
"scarlet" beret was adopted as Corps headdress in 1975 for qualified
personnel of RACMP.
The
Army Police Dog section was formed at Oakey, QLD,
1977, for security of Army Aviation assets and the Security Guard employment
category created under the auspices of the MPs, but not members of RACMP. The
personnel for the Security Guard category came from all Corps of the Australian
Army.
Support to Royal
Military Police (RMP)
In
May 1975, a 20 member RACMP contingent, was sent to
the
1980s
In
January 1981 1 MP Coy relocated
On
12 June 1983, Coral Lines was renamed to Lamia Lines. '
In
December 1989, the MP Complex was renamed the MP Centre. On 13 April 1992, the
MP Centre units, including the Defence Force Corrective Establishment (DFCE),
the Directorate of Military Police (DMP), HQ Army Special Investigations Branch
(SIB) Unit, 2 MP Coy and MP School relocated to Green Hills, Liverpool Military
Area. The MP Centre was opened as Lamia Barracks by the Deputy Chief of the
General Staff, Major General A. J. Fittock, AO on 1 July 1992.
1990s Restructure
In
1992, all MP units excluding 1 MP Company, MP School and Army SIB Unit were
placed under command of Logistics Command. In 1993, a review was conducted of
RACMP and on 1 October, the Corps was reorganised
with MP Sections being placed under command of BASC and Logistic Battalions for
investigations and general duties tasking.
1
MP Coy remained under command of the 1st Division, with 11 and 13 MP PL moving back
to their respective Brigade support areas, 16 MP PL become Ready Reserve and 15
MP PL (General Reserve) relocated to Townsville, to provide support to 11
Brigade.
4
MP Coy and 2 MP Coy moved from Logistic Command to Land Command with 4 MP Coy
relocating from Adelaide to Randwick, NSW, with 66 MP
PL in Hobart becoming 46 MP PL and moving across to 4 MP Coy.
2
MP Coy and 3 MP Coy became General Reserve units, with 2 MP Coy coming under
command of the 2nd Division and
9
MP PL and 55 MP PL were formed in Adelaide and Perth respectively, to support
the Independent Brigades in their areas; both these units became sub units of 2
MP Coy in 1994 when Land Command placed the Independent Brigades under command
of the 2nd Division.
Other
changes were the Security Guard category now becoming part of the RACMP in
1990, with all personnel having a singular identity instead of "all Corps
identity" and now becoming MP. Also, the Corps home moved from Ingleburn, NSW, to a new purpose built facility at Holsworthy, NSW in April 1992 and is still located their to
this day.
1994
was to see the Army introduce the Ready Reserve Scheme (R Res), whereby
soldiers were enlisted to specific Corps for a 2 year period, followed by
service in the Army Reserve. The Ready Reserve Recruits who wanted to become MP
were allocated to 1 MP Company and became
On
16 December 1996, DFCE was transferred from the Base Logistic Sub-Program to
Training Command - Army (TC-A) and was incorporated within the MP School. On 1
July 1997, as a consequence of the Restructuring the Army Program DMP was
transferred to TC-A. On 1 December 1997, DMP elements combined with the MP
School (including DFCE) to form the Military Police Training Centre (MPTC).
On 15 December 1997, the
Commandant (COMDT) MPTC was appointed as the Provost Marshal-Army (PM-A) by the
Deputy Chief of the Army. MPCRO and the ACT MP Det
remain under command to assist with the performance of PM-A responsibilities.
On 6 January 1999, the MPTC was renamed the Army Military Police Training
Centre (AMPTC).
2000 - 1st Military
Police Battalion
On
12 May 2000, the Chief of Army's Senior Advisory Group (CASAG) directed that a
Military Police Battalion be raised and operational by January 2001. 1 MP Bn would comprise all operational and domestic assets of
RACMP.
In
August 2000, Lt Col Grutzner was appointed the first
Commanding Officer of the newly raised Military Police Battalion, to be known
as the 1st Military Police Battalion. The CO would also perform the dual role
of Provost Marshal Army. The HQ for the Battalion is based at Victoria
Barracks,
1
MP Battalion comprised five MP Companies with the 5th Military
Police Company (SIB) comprising the SIB personnel who had previously belonged
to non MP commands; the SIB was back under direct MP technical command again.
All Military Police in the Australian Army now belong to the 1st Military
Police Battalion (except for those posted to the Army Military Police Training
Centre (AMPTC) now known as the Defence Police Training Centre (DPTC) who
belong to that Unit and Army Training Command, as well as all RACMP members in
non-Corps postings) and all come under direct control of RACMP. The various MP
units still provide support to their previous customers, this time under direct
control of RACMP. A new colour patch was designed for
the raising of the Battalion.
On
the 7th of April 2001, the RACMP was presented with the Governor General's
Banner at the Army Military Police Training Centre, Lamia Barracks, Holsworthy, NSW, Sydney. This is the first time in the
Corps history that a Banner has been presented to the Corps.
Later
in the year of 2001 (September 11 2001), the world was stunned and shocked, by
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in
RACMP
has also played a vital role in securing
On
27 June 2003, AMPTC joined with SNPCS (Security and
In
2006 the Australian Army introduced a modified design Australian camouflage
uniform (DPCU) with velcro
strips on both shoulders/arms making the traditional MP brassard impossible to
wear. As such the brassard was replaced by an MP patch in the same colours of the brassard, red MP lettering on black background.
The MP patch was now worn on the right arm shoulder in place of the old
brassard on the new uniform the brassards being phased out as the new uniforms
were issued.
2007 - Australian Defence Force
Investigation Service (ADFIS)
In
May 2007 as part of major reforms to Australian military law and justice system
the SIB disbanded and its personnel transferred to the newly formed Australian
Defence Force Investigation Service (ADFIS), a tri-service Defence
investigation unit staffed by Service Police investigators from all three
Services with Army's contribution coming from RACMP. ADFIS is commanded by the
newly created position in 2007, Provost Marshal Australian Defence Force
(PM-ADF).
On
04 June 2007 the Corps RSM (WO1 G. Westhead)
submitted further changes to the MP Patch. His concern was that Infantry
Regimental Police (RP) were wearing RP patches of the same colour
as the MP patch and was concerned that RP would be mistaken for MPs. Change was
approved by the Corps Executive Committee and the MP patch was changed to black
lettering MP on a red background.
In
January 2008, 1 MP Battalion implemented some significant organisational
and structural changes to further enhance support to Australian Army units; the
first major changes since its inception in 2001. Battalion HQ (BHQ) is being
progressively (over 3 or 4 years) moved from Victoria Bks,
2009 - Domestic Policing Unit (DPU)
On 01 January
2009, the Domestic Policing Unit (DPU) was raised as a direct command unit of
Army HQ (AHQ) on the Army's Order of Battle (ORBAT) with effect 1 Jan 09. The
unit's role is: `To provide a dedicated military policing and minor criminal
investigation capability for Army'. The DPU is commanded by the Provost Marshal
Australian Army (PM-A). The DPU has units located at
all major Australian Army establishments throughout
From 2009,
RACMP would comprise of three major units, the 1st Military Police
Battalion (1 MP Bn), Domestic Policing Unit (DPU) and
specialist MP investigators would be posted to the Australian Defence Force
Investigative Service (ADFIS).
In
August 2010, the Chief of the Australian Army (CA) ordered all Corps of the
Australian Army (less Special Forces units) including Military Police to cease
wearing berets and to only wear the iconic Australian Army slouch hat instead.
This had a devastating effect on RACMP as the scarlet coloured
beret could no longer be worn ceasing a tradition and unique Corps identifier
that had been in continuous existence since 1974. This was a sad loss to all
RACMP personnel and remains a controversial decision to this day. However, CA
did allow RACMP as with all other Australian Army Corps to wear their berets on
specific historical/significant occasions.
Support to United
Nations Operations, Australian Regional Assistance Missions, Combat/Operational
deployments and National Interest objectives
Since
1989, a large number of RACMP personnel have served overseas with or in support
of United Nations operations in Western Sahara,
In
2003, RACMP commenced deployment to
Members
of the Corps, currently serve on UN peacekeeping, peace enforcement missions
and Australian regional support operations throughout the world.
Today
Australian
Military Police, men and women, are training hard and working tirelessly to
help and support the Defence and Army Community, to be a safe, crime free and
happy environment to live and work. Military Police support to current ADF
operations is providing valuable assistance in achieving mission objectives and
outcomes in support of all Australian Army and Defence objectives.
The Corps motto of the RACMP says it all,
For the Troops and
With the Troops