The Military Police [MP] Superthread

[Dissident]

make a career as a military police officer

IS it worthwhile to make a liftetime career as MP   regarding type of work and pay?

Or is civilian police the way to go?

Is there a high turnover rate for MPS going civilian world?

any advice?

Its all about what you make of it. There are things that are accessible as an MP that are not as a civy cop and vice versa.

As a cop, your bread an butter is patrolling. other opportunities are there, but competion is fierce.

As an MP, you will probably: go overseas, go to a field platoon, move to different locations, might make it to NCIU or NIS, meet a lot of different people.

I am not promoting one over the other. I only know this second hand, so take it lightly. Its all about you and what you want.

 

[FastEddy]

make a career as a military police officer

IS it worthwhile to make a liftetime career as MP   regarding type of work and pay?

Or is civilian police the way to go?

Is there a high turnover rate for MPS going civilian world?

any advice?

As 'Dissident' pointed out, its really what you want. Now in 10 years in the Provost Corps I had various postings to my home town, other parts of Canada and a marvelous 2 years in Germany. I have been employed as a Patrolman -  Disciplinarian - Criminal Photographer - CID Investigator. The Army supplied numerous courses at various Schools and Units covering these occupations. Promotion was governed by ability, qualification, seniority and these factors were followed very closely by our Superiors. You were not in a competition or race with your fellow mates. On Civie Street you can remain in a Traffic Division for your intire carear. Promotion in some Forces can be governed by forces beyond your control or comprehension.

The only difference I have found  between Civilian Police Dept.s and the Military Police, is the nature and variety of Crimes which you might be presented with, which admittedly are far more violent and dangerous. Also the fact that you are static in location, now that has appeal for a great many applicants.

However, if you are posted overseas for what ever reason, this can change very rapidly.

Another factor to consider, does Military Life appeal to you ?.

Lets face it, if you are a Homebody the Army is not the place for you regardless of your chosen occupation. This is also probably the biggest factor along with domestic for releases and change overs to Civilian Forces.

But to some it up, after spending thirty years on the Civie side, all I can say is, the biggest mistake I have ever made was getting out of the Military Police (Provost Corps).

Good Luck on what ever your choice is.

 

[S McKee]

As 'Dissident' pointed out, its really what you want. Now in 10 years in the Provost Corps I had various postings to my home town, other parts of Canada and a marvelous 2 years in Germany. I have been employed as a Patrolman -   Disciplinarian - Criminal Photographer - CID Investigator. The Army supplied numerous courses at various Schools and Units covering these occupations. Promotion was governed by ability, qualification, seniority and these factors were followed very closely by our Superiors. You were not in a competition or race with your fellow mates. On Civie Street you can remain in a Traffic Division for your intire carear. Promotion in some Forces can be governed by forces beyond your control or comprehension.

The only difference I have found   between Civilian Police Dept.s and the Military Police, is the nature and variety of Crimes which you might be presented with, which admittedly are far more violent and dangerous. Also the fact that you are static in location, now that has appeal for a great many applicants.

However, if you are posted overseas for what ever reason, this can change very rapidly.

Another factor to consider, does Military Life appeal to you ?.

Lets face it, if you are a Homebody the Army is not the place for you regardless of your chosen occupation. This is also probably the biggest factor along with domestic for releases and change overs to Civilian Forces.

But to some it up, after spending thirty years on the Civie side, all I can say is, the biggest mistake I have ever made was getting out of the Military Police (Provost Corps).

Good Luck on what ever your choice is.

C pro C? CID investigator (an American Unit), never heard of a criminal photographer? FastEdddy are you still serving? We just celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Security/Military Police Branch a while back, not the C pro C which was amalgamated into the Security Branch in the sixties.

 

[FastEddy]

C pro C? CID investigator (an American Unit), never heard of a criminal photographer? FastEdddy are you still serving? We just celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Security/Military Police Branch a while back, not the C pro C which was amalgamated into the Security Branch in the sixties.

The period of Service I am referring to was 1950 to 1960. Posted to No.1 FDB 1955, then Temporary attached No. 1 PR Unit as Criminal Photographer for No.1 Provost Coy. During that ERA, the Photography trade was RCE. Which I wrote and passed practical Trade Test, granted Group 2.

On return to Canada 1957, Posted No.4 Coy B. Det (Mtl.) C Pro C. Set up Criminal Photo Lab. worked AWOL and SIS (Special Investigations Section) all of the personal in these Sections were plain clothes NCO's. I used  the acronym "CID" for clarity for our civilian readers.

Since my Discharge I have followed a carear with several Civilian LEA's which I am now retired from.

Am I still serving, if I am , I'm the oldest Soldier in the Cdn. Army. But in Heart and Mind, Yes I'm still serving, time will never dull or erase those years in the Corps. I trust that in 55 years you and your Colleagues will be of the same mind.

 

[S McKee]

Thanks for clearing that up....I have a good friend that served in that era, not as far back as 50 mind you, he joined 64 and often regals me with tales of his "Group" training. There's a C pro C association here in Edmonton. From your description of the trade years ago, it seems like we've come full circle. Do you attend any of the regional Mess Dinners?

 

[andpro]

Hello
  I am 17 and going to apply for RMC. I am interested in Joining the military police. I would like to know, what are the roles of a commissioned military police officer? I was on the CF recruiting page, and found that some of the descriptions between the officers and NCM's were very similar. Could someone clarify this for me?
thanks

 

[R0B]

Yes, I am also interested in reading more about the role of regular force MP Os.

 

[garb811]

Short and "general" answer:

The majority of work an MP O will do is administrative.  Although a few work in an investigative capacity, the vast majority of MP O positions are concerned with the administrative and corporate leadership side of life and acting as advisors to Commanders.

As an MP, the job is the day to day, hands on side of the Branch.  They are the ones on patrol, they are the ones who do the security surveys, they are the ones who provide security at Embassies, they are the ones who handle PWs etc etc etc.

There are some variations to this depending on the actual position a person is posted to but it is quite possible...actually probable, that after the Provisional Employment Period a MP O will never again be involved in "hands on" work.

 

[Rubes]

Greetings,

I have a few questions:

What is the difference between a Military Police field platoon and a regular Military Police platoon?
What is NCIU?
Is there something similar to the RCMP ERT in the Military Police Branch?

Thanks

 

[Dissident]

Greetings,

I have a few questions:

What is the difference between a Military Police field platoon and a regular Military Police platoon?
What is NCIU?
Is there something similar to the RCMP ERT in the Military Police Branch?

Thanks

First, the only formed military police platoons in the reg force are field platoons.  Field platoons are the units deployed overseas and domesticly to do field MP work. This work is evolving at this time and we are in a bit of a transition. From my perspective, field MP's will now do convoy escorts, force protection, teaching foreing police forces and security on camps. I have only a limited knowledge of the full transformation we are undergoing and some things are still up in the air, so take this with a grain of salt.

Garrisson MP's take care of the law enforcement side of things domesticly. Patrolling, crime and traffic accident investigations and the like. Not a "platoon" in the real sense of the word, some dets are close to platoon size.

As far as NCIU goes, someone else will have to go in details, or you might want to try a search on this board.

And no, there is no such thing as an MP SWAT team. I kinda find it funny that this pops up once in a while, considering the tasks of an ERT team. If you are looking for a more challenging tasking, the MP's xurrently have the close protection mandate. This use to be the MP's jobs, then went to the JTF2 and is now back to us. If you are looking for something faster paced, you will find your challenge as a CPP.

 

[Rubes]

Thanks a lot.  Are MPs assigned to either a field platoon or guardhouse, or do they do both?

 

[Dissident]

Typically, you are assigned to one or the other. Unfortunately, people have been known to be switched from one to the other, for different reasons. Other more informed (MP0161) can let you in on the details, but from what I gather, it doesn make anyone happy...

 

[garb811]

Regular Force MP are trained for all of the MP core functions (Policing, Security, Detention and Mobility) in Borden prior to their first posting.   Once a MP has completed their Provisional Employment Period (PEP) they are eligible to be posted to wherever their services are needed and that includes the field MP Pls.   This is the specific reason all of the core functions are taught at the entry point to the trade.   Postings are a fact of life in the Reg Force and by the time they leave Borden (but hopefully prior to even joining the CF), new MPs should be well aware that going to a field unit is a distinct possibility, particularly given the amount of time devoted to the "field" subjects and it shouldn't be the shock which ends their world when they get a posting message sending them to 1 or 2 MP Pl or 5 PPM.   A posting is what you make it and if someone is "unhappy" with being in a field Pl, they only have themselves to blame.

NCIU=Canadian Forces Counter Intelligence Unit.   Contrary to a certain pseudo-journalist's deranged perception, this is the unit which replaced the Special Investigation Unit and it's mission is to provide security and CI services in support of DND and the CF during peace, crisis and war.   For all you never wanted to know about CFNCIU read the following link: DAOD 8002-2, Canadian Forces National Counter-Intelligence Unit

Dissident:   Are "convoy escorts, force protection, teaching foreing police forces and security on camps" the focus of your Coy's trg these days and if so, any idea where it originated?

 

[Dissident]

Convoy escorts is now our bread and butter. This is what we did on the BTE and what we usually train for on our monthly ex.Most of this came from my experience on the BTE.

But really, all I am sure of is this:

15 MP coy statement:

15 MP coy is operationally focused. We will be mission ready and able to field qualified highgly trained motivated soldiers. We have inertia now as a legitimate taskable entity. 15 MP coy will be a reserve unit like no other and continue to develop and promote this capability.

 

[Frenchy]

Hello,

I hope someone on this Forum could help me with my question. I receive my enrolment into the Canadian Forces as a (811) Military Police. In my package a letter it saying I will be in the Canadian Air Force branch. My question is ...  Do that mean I be only working on a Air force base during my career as MP or would I have the opportunity to work on others Military base (Navy, Land) in Canada and around the world. Do the Military Police uniform on duty on base is different from the Airforce, Navy and Land forces, because the only MP I did see was in Edmonton base and the uniform they have was like a cop uniform (Dark color with a red beret). Anyway, if someone could answer this question it will be appreciate, thank !

Frenchy !!!

 

[Rubes]

Regular Force MP are trained for all of the MP core functions (Policing, Security, Detention and Mobility) in Borden prior to their first posting.   Once a MP has completed their Provisional Employment Period (PEP) they are eligible to be posted to wherever their services are needed and that includes the field MP Pls.   This is the specific reason all of the core functions are taught at the entry point to the trade.   Postings are a fact of life in the Reg Force and by the time they leave Borden (but hopefully prior to even joining the CF), new MPs should be well aware that going to a field unit is a distinct possibility, particularly given the amount of time devoted to the "field" subjects and it shouldn't be the shock which ends their world when they get a posting message sending them to 1 or 2 MP Pl or 5 PPM.   A posting is what you make it and if someone is "unhappy" with being in a field Pl, they only have themselves to blame.

NCIU=Canadian Forces Counter Intelligence Unit.   Contrary to a certain pseudo-journalist's deranged perception, this is the unit which replaced the Special Investigation Unit and it's mission is to provide security and CI services in support of DND and the CF during peace, crisis and war.   For all you never wanted to know about CFNCIU read the following link: DAOD 8002-2, Canadian Forces National Counter-Intelligence Unit

Dissident:   Are "convoy escorts, force protection, teaching foreing police forces and security on camps" the focus of your Coy's trg these days and if so, any idea where it originated?

Thanks a lot. 

Are members of MP field platoons embedded with various units, and work and go on exercise with them?  Or do the MP platoons/sections as a whole go to the field as their own entity?
And if someone is assigned to a field platoon for example, could they be transfered to a guardhouse, and vice versa?

Thanks

 

[garb811]

Frenchy:  No, your DEU colour doesn't matter at all when it comes to your postings.  We have "Navy" MPs who have yet to even see a ship, let alone serve at a Navy Base.  At one point, one of the field Pls only had 4 x Army out of 25 MP NCMs on strength.  We truely are an equal opportunity employer.

Rubes:  Yes, MP are embedded within the Infantry Battalions, Armoured Regiments and Service Battalions.  The relationship has recently changed whereby the MPs are posted to one of the MP Pls and then tasked to the unit viice being formally posted to the units as happened previously. The MP Pls do go on Ex as formed units as well and deploy Sections and/or Detachments on their own as the task required.

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my earlier post but yes, Reg Force MPs can be posted from a Guardhouse to a Fd Pl and back again.  They could also follow a career path such as Guardhouse to Fd Pl to an Embassy to NIS to...the combinations are limitless.

Dissident:

15 MP coy is operationally focused. We will be mission ready and able to field qualified highgly trained motivated soldiers. We have inertia now as a legitimate taskable entity. 15 MP coy will be a reserve unit like no other and continue to develop and promote this capability.

Say what?!  Man, talk about using a lot of words to say nothing informative.  Any possiblity you could translate this for me?

Does this sudden focus on being the uber-convoy escorts mean the attention has shifted from the "Pol Ops Lite" idea we previously discussed?  Also, I certainly hope that your Coy realises that many of the TTPs you are so diligently practising are going to be useless for the guys who augment given the dissimilarities between the Milverado and G-Wagon.  A great starting point to be sure but something on which to build vice being the way it would actually be done while deployed.

Training Foreign Police Forces?  On what, hopefully not Pol Ops as that is something CivPol is tasked with and most definitely well beyond the majority of the Res MP's training and experience. 

Camp Security?  While I am a proponent of this as a value added task for the Res MP Coys, the Militia CBGs have a stranglehold on this task atm as their mechanism to get formed units deployed so it would appear that training it at this point is pointless.

BTE.  Did the entire Coy go out or just augmentees?

Not trying to get into another go-round like we did we "Pol Ops Lite", just trying to understand why the Coy seems to be slightly out in left field again with regards to their training.  I remember one year when the focus of one Res MP unit was Airfield Security of all things...

 

[Dissident]

I don't know where to start.

For one thing, ou CO has made it very clear that he wants as little as possible do to with individual augmentees. What he wants is to have 15MP Coy be able to field a complete platoon for Ops. I was sumarely shot down about the reg force QL3. The company has no intention of being a pool of personnel for the reg force. And no, I have no opinion on the matter. Don't ask.

Pol Ops lite was only the idea(or hope) of the troops. It was never a focus of the higher ups at any point. It will be some years before I can have an actual influence on this. I can push memo's all I want...

Also, I certainly hope that your Coy realises that many of the TTPs you are so diligently practising are going to be useless for the guys who augment given the dissimilarities between the Milverado and G-Wagon.  A great starting point to be sure but something on which to build vice being the way it would actually be done while deployed.

Not only do the higher ups realize this, the troops do to. It is an interresting challenge to keep the guys motivated. And I heard RUMORS that Coy was talking to 1 MP pl to see if we could borrow their wagons while they are deployed. Watch and shoot.

As far as the BTE goes, we went out there with the intent of being a formed unit. It was mostly true, but there was a mixed bag of taskings. Most of it was between a blur and boredom. We fielded 3 sections, one being HQ. I think we fielded up to 8 jeep teams at times.

And I just want to clarify that the taskings I mentionned earlier were not meant as res MP tasking only, it was meant as what MP overall do in the field. I don't see any res MP's teach foreing police force any time soon.

 

[VanGuy]

I was in the reg force MP 811 trade for 10 years (mostly is beautiful Shilo) and have been out for 9 after FRPing.   I currently work as a Network Administrator in the computer field but have decided I will apply to get back in in the new year.   I was told a year and a half ago by a MWO at MP Selection NDHQ that I would most likely be accepted back in.   Things came up and here I sit ready to apply this time.   I do not think I have to participate in the MP 3 day MPAC selection process that I understand is held several times per year.   I also believe that I recruit by pass but have to redo my QL3 and 5 again.   So much has changed in the trade since I got out.   All for the better.   I know police work is still police work but a 6 month refresher would be good.   Does anyone know if Im correct about ex-Mps skipping that 3 day MPAC board?   I have the education part covered as I did 2 year Law and Security before I joined before and have since done a 3 year Computer Programming Diploma at college and 2.5 of 3 years in a sociology BA at uni.   No money at present to finish the degree but Im not interested in MPO but good ol' enlisted ranks.    Cheers

 

[kincanucks]

Whether ex Reg F MPs will do MPAC or not is dependant on a review of their file.  Been out for less than 5 years then probably not, been out for more than 5 years and have been employed in a police related environment then probably not, or been out for more than 5 years and have not been employed in a police related environment, probably yes.  RSBP is not a given if you have been out for more than 5 years and each file will be reviewed on a case by case basis.