Researched by Antony Buckingham, MP
History Website
The "must know" of Australian
Army Military Police History
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 1901. 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.
The
Australian Army Military Police (MP) Corps has traditionally comprised members
of the Australian Army who volunteer for service in the Australian Army
Military Police Corps after serving in another Australian Army employment
category. In times of war, members of the Australian Military Police have often
been former civil policemen who after enlisting as soldiers volunteered for
service as an MP due to their policing knowledge and experience.
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
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.
The
Australian MP has traditionally worn the standard Australian Army uniform of
the day with some unique exceptions. To recognise the
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 soldier and a policeman employed only
inside the Australian Army with no civilian policing powers or jurisdiction
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, safety and security.
The Australian Military
Police Today
The
Australian MP continues, to this day supporting members of The Australian Army
and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) both in
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
AMEN
Corps Callsign
Watchdog
Corps Role
The role of RACMP is to provide
formations and units with specialist military police support