Duties of Special Investigation Sections

Page 13 of the Manual of the Royal Australian Army Provost Corps 1952

  1. The Special Investigation Sections of the Royal Australian Provost Corps consists of experienced and trained Provost personnel who investigate the more serious and complicated offences committed by members of the Military Forces. These duties require the closest liaison and the maintenance of cordial relations with the civil police.

    2. Sections are attached to the HQ of certain formations under the direction of the APM or DAPM.

  2. Duties:
  1. The prevention, suppression and investigation of offences among military personnel.
  2. The recovery of lost, stolen or abandoned military property.
  3. The apprehension of members of the forces who have committed offences and have evaded arrest and are still at large.
  4. The collection of evidence and the care and disposition of confidential reports pertaining to crimes.

 

  1. Investigation Procedure:
  1. Whenever an offence affecting the Army is reported, the APM should initiate an investigation through the senior investigator who reports the result thereof to him for appropriate action.
  2. Before commencing, the investigator detailed will satisfy himself that he has a full knowledge of all the available information on the case.
  3. He will be definitely instructed as to the course his inquiries will take.
  4. The co-operation of the civil police will be sought when dealing with civilians and on any other occasion their services will be helpful.
  5. Unauthorised investigations will not be made by personnel. Matters deemed to require investigation will be reported to the senior Officer or WO IC of the investigation Section or Provost Detachment, who will act as he considers necessary.
  6. All interrogations will be made with as little publicity as possible.
  7. Investigations into absence without leave, desertion and applications for compassionate leave may be carried out by Provost personnel who should be given every opportunity to gain investigation experience.
  8. Reports of investigations will be submitted promptly to the responsible APM. When investigations cannot be completed promptly, progress reports will be furnished at intervals of not longer than 7 days. A case is never closed until a satisfactory solution has been reached.