Researched by Antony Buckingham, MP History Website
The "must know" of Australian
Military Police History
Since 1914, over 240 Australian Military
Policemen have been killed on active service; a relatively high fatality rate
for a Corps so small, reflecting the danger of Military Police duties on
operations.
As well as serving in both World Wars, the
Australian Military Police have supported Australian Soldiers on operations
with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan from 1946 to 1957;
Korea with the 1st Commonwealth Division from 1950 to 1957; Malaya, Borneo
& Singapore from 1955 to 1970s; and Vietnam from 1965 to 1972.
Since 1973 the Australian Military Police have
supported all of the Australian Army’s deployments, operations and missions
throughout Australia and the world providing policing and investigation support
to commanders and soldiers at all levels.
With ongoing support to the Australian Army, UN
Operations and Defence of Australia duties, the Australian Military Police are
serving Australia and the Army proud. The motto of the Australian Military
Police Corps says it all:
"For the Troops and With the Troops"
The Australian Army Military Policeman or MP has enjoyed a long history within the Australian Army and has participated in all wars, most deployments and operations involving the Australian Army since 1916. Whilst not always popular with Australian Army personnel, it is fair to say their contribution to the efficient functioning of the Australian Army in times of war and peace has been considerable. Police of any persuasion are never popular until of course someone needs them. The role police play both in society and the military is often misunderstood and consequently under-appreciated.
The current Australian Army Military Police Corps is known by the correct title of The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP). RACMP has been in existence since 1916 and is one of the older Corps serving the Australian Army; its lineage listed below:
The Australian Provost Corps was disbanded in 1920 along with the AIF in 1921. The Corps was not maintained as an "active" Corps of the Australian Army during the post war period of 1920 to 1938. However, there was an organisation during the period called the Provost Staff who were very similar to Military Police, their duties only in support of the Universal Military Training Act of the period involving strict compliance of the Act.
The Australian Army Military Police Corps has traditionally comprised members of the Australian Army who volunteer for service in the Australian Military Police Corps after serving at least twelve months in another Australian Army employment category. In times of war, members of the Australian Military Police have often been civil policemen recruited or conscripted for their policing knowledge and specific employment as "police" within the Australian Military Police Corps.
The Australian MP has traditionally provided policing and criminal/military law investigation support to Commanders and soldiers at all levels during times of war and peace. Inside Australia, Military Police have mainly concerned themselves with investigations, policing and law enforcement outside of designated unit areas, which are the domain of unit commanders/RSM’s to enforce and maintain discipline at unit level. In times of war, Military Police have traditionally concerned themselves with soldiers on leave, out of bound areas, AWOL, investigation of serious criminal and disciplinary activity, route reconnaissance, POW handling, vital asset/VIP protection and essential liaison with civil police. Military Police assets operate in direct support of the deployed force and are commanded by a Military Police Officer. They often work alone and carry out many, support tasks as directed by the Force Commander.
The Australian MP has traditionally been a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) of at least the rank of Corporal (CPL) who attained the rank by virtue of passing a Military Police qualifying course. The minimum rank of CPL is granted to ensure the MP has sufficient rank to carry out his duties including a sound understanding of soldiering in the Australian Army. MP Officers have traditionally been officers commissioned in the Australian Army who have volunteered to serve as Military Police officers after transferring from another Australian Army Corps.
The Australian MP has traditionally worn the standard Australian Army uniform of the day with some unique exceptions. To recognise the Australian MP they have traditionally worn white coloured webbing instead of khaki and worn an armband or patch with the letters MP emblazoned for all to see. All items were required to be worn and carried at all times when performing MP duties and were accountable to the wearer often causing great difficulty when trying to keep the white colour clean especially in combat or field environments. The white coloured webbing and armband has been synonymous throughout MP history.
The Australian MP has traditionally been a policeman employed only inside the Australian Army with no civilian policing powers or rights over the civil community. The Australian MP jurisdiction has traditionally been provided via the Defence Act 1903 including Australian military law along with directions as required from the Provost Marshal Australian Army, Military Police Officers or Australian Army HQ. Australian MP have never been considered law enforcement personnel by civil definition but rather specially trained soldiers performing military policing/provost duties within the military environment to support commanders and soldiers at all levels during times of war and peace. Civil policing and military policing are two very different organisations although with the common goal of maintaining law and order, security and safety for all.
The Australian Military Policeman/Woman Today
The Australian MP continues, to this day supporting members of the Australian Army deployed on operations throughout the world and home duties throughout Australia. The Australian MP are hard working, highly trained and technically competent men and women who strive on a daily basis to support, help and protect men and women of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Australian MPs are currently deployed throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands and Malaysia with many more on training, representational duties and exchange postings throughout the world.
Corps Title
The title of the Corps is Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP)
Corps Motto
'For
the Troops and With the Troops'
Corps Badge
The
Corps
badge consists of crossed
roman broad swords surrounded by a laurel wreath, surmounted by the Crown of St
Edward
Corps March
The Regimental March of the Corps is 'Gendarmes Duet'
Corps Birthday
03
April
Corps Prayer
Almighty
God, give your blessing to us, the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police,
and help us to be both courageous and courteous. May we, who must uphold the
law, be enabled to fulfil our tasks without fear or favour, through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Corps Callsign
Watchdog
Corps Role
The
role
of RACMP is to provide
formations and units with specialist military police support