Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police
Encyclopedia
The Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police (RNZMP) provide military police
services to the New Zealand Army
, including criminal investigative services. It consists of one major unit, 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company; though members of the Corps are included in other units within the New Zealand Army
. The Corps is a Combat Support element responsible for the Policing, Investigation, Custodial, Security and Battlefield Circulation Control support to New Zealand Defence Force
Land elements. Personnel within the Corps include Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers of both the Regular Force and Territorial Force.
of the New Zealand Army
, RNZMP can claim the same ancient lineage as the UK's Royal Military Police
.
The first record of a person conducting the duties of a Provost Marshal stem from 28 May 1241, when Henry II appointed William of Cassingham as a Military 'Sergeant of the Peace'. He and his Under-Provosts were the ancestors of the modern Royal Military Police
.
The first recorded Provost Marshal in English history of whom there is a personal record is Sir Henry Guldeford (or Guylford) appointed in 1511. The Provost Marshal was responsible for maintaining discipline within the English armies together with the King's personal security, and was also described as the 'first and greatest gaoler of the Army'. As the Provost Marshal's office gradually assumed more and more duties of a policing nature within the Army, he was provided with State-paid troops, referred to in Henry VIII's day as Provost Companies.
Articles of War of 1591, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth laid down that: "No man shall resist the Provost Marshal, or other of his officers, in apprehending any malfactor, but if need be shall aid and assist him..."
During the Peninsula War of 1813-14, Duke of Wellington asked for a Provost Marshal to be appointed to hang looters; by the end of the Peninsular War the Provost Marshal controlled 24 Assistant Provost Marshals. The Assistants were also authorised to hang offenders and eventually each division had its own Assistant Provost Marshal.
(NZ) become a colony of Britain in 1840. Policing within NZ started the same year with the arrival of six constables accompanying Lt. Governor Hobson's official landing party to form the colony of NZ. Early policing was by a colonial police force, part police and part militia. With many of its first officers having seen prior service in either Ireland or Australia, this early force resembled a military police unit.
The New Zealand Armed Constabulary Act of 1867 established an organised structure for a group that operated along gendermarie lines. The Armed Constabulary took part in the New Zealand Land Wars
against Māori opposed to colonial expansion. Still part police and part militia, this organisation can be considered as the predecessor of military policing within New Zealand.
The Police Force Act of 1886 established a single centralised Police Force. At the same time, government moved the militia functions of the old Armed Constabulary to the forerunner of the New Zealand Defence Force called in 1886 the New Zealand Permanent Militia. The New Zealand Permanent Militia, and later the New Zealand Military Forces, did not have a formal military police element. However, during the Second Boer War
(1899-1902) individual NZ soldiers served with the British Mounted Military Police in South Africa.
NZ Military Police served on all fronts where NZ soldiers fought as part of 1 NZEF. They were all mounted, and the MP squadron with the Mounted Rifle Brigade in the Middle East was allegedly the subject of a very favourable report from Major-General Chaytor, commander of the NZ Brigade. After the Armistice, the NZ Military Police were disbanded.
During World War II
, the NZ Military Police were re-established. The first detachment of NZ Military Police sailed for the Middle East in January 1940, where they served on all fronts and in all engagements with 2NZEF. Duties mainly included Battlefield Circulation Control, Policing and Investigations. Major E.W. Hayton was awarded the DSO for outstanding Provost Duties at the Battle of El Alamein
as Assistant Provost Marshal, while Major R.R.J. Jenkin was commanding the NZ Divisional Provost Company at the same battle. Major Jenkin was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Deputy Provost Marshal in Italy. After the war ended, the Military Police were again disbanded.
On 18 February 1949 the New Zealand Military Police were re-gazetted, and re-formed on 24 March 1951. On 18 July 1952, Her Majesty the Queen granted assent for the title "Royal", and the Corps became the Royal New Zealand Provost Corps (RNZ Pro).
In 1952, a Colonel Commandant
was appointed to the Corps. The first was Colonel E.W. Hayton, DSO, ED and on his death in 1957 was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel R.R.J. Jenkin, MBE until 1968.
In August 1955 the first peace-time Regular Force Commissioned Officer was appointed to the Corps. This was Captain D.J. McLeod who had first seen service with the Scots Guards
and later with the Special Investigation Branch
(SIB) of the Royal Military Police
. Captain McLeod was appointed Head of Corps RNZ Pro at Army Headquarters and held this appointment until October 1962 when a reorganisation of the Corps took place.
RNZ Pro personnel served with the New Zealand elements sent in support of the British response to the Malayan Emergency
and in the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation
. RNZ Pro personnel were also sent with NZ troops to the Vietnam War
.
On 1 October 1962, the first peace-time Provost Marshal
of the New Zealand Army
was appointed: Lieutenant Colonel R.H.F. Holloway, OBE, RNZA. Following this, in 1964 the first Regular Force Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal, Lieutenant Burton, was appointed.
RNZ Pro personnel were stationed with 1 RNZIR in Singapore as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve
from about 1972 until 1989. They formed part of a multinational Military Police unit, along with Royal Military Police
, Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
and service police from the Royal New Zealand Air Force
and Royal New Zealand Navy
.
From 1979 until the mid-1980's, RNZ Pro / RNZMP personnel provided security at the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow
.
On 18 December 1981, HM Queen Elizabeth consented a title change and a new corps badge. The title was changed to the Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police.
The five functional areas of RNZMP are:
Domestically (within NZ), RNZMP focus primarily on policing operations to prevent crime affecting the military community, and investigations into incidents involving military personnel or property. MP are also deployed on security tasks within NZ when required.
Deployed activities focus primarily on the policing/investigation and security functional areas. MP may form part of a multinational MP unit conducting own force policing and investigations, or may be deployed as a standalone MP element within an NZDF deployed force. MP also provide Close Protection to Senior NZ military officers and government VIP within military theatres.
MP are also delegated specific powers that give them jurisdiction over all personnel, whether civilian or service person, within Defence Areas . A Defence Area includes military camps and bases within NZ, RNZN ships, and other areas (both in NZ and other countries) may be declared a Defence Area in specific circumstances .
When within New Zealand, RNZMP must refer the most serious crimes (e.g. murder, rape) to the NZ Police. While deployed in an operational theatre, RNZMP retain jurisdiction of all matters involving NZDF personnel up to and including murder and rape.
within Headquarters NZDF, usually within Human Resources. The PM(A) is not an RNZMP officer, and is a secondary appointment held by that officer.
The Colonel Commandant has in recent times been a senior NZ Police officer. They are given the Honorary rank of Colonel, and the role is generally one of advocacy, removed from the command structure.
The Corps of RNZMP has one major unit, 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company
, which was until 2008 known as Force Military Police Company. The majority of RNZMP personnel are posted to this unit, though there are some posted to other units within the NZDF.
The senior technical MP within the NZ Army is a Major
, the Officer Commanding
1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company
. The senior Non-Commissioned Officer is a Warrant Officer Class 1
called the Provost Sergeant Major.
The sub-unit elements and locations of 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company, are as follows:
Officers accepted into the RNZMP conduct their initial training with the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
. They then attend the same RNZMP / Joint Service Police courses as MP soldiers, run at MP Training Wing. Additionally, RNZMP Officers attend the courses attended by all officers within NZ Army.
Through their career, RNZMP personnel regularly return to MP Training Wing for continuing professional development courses. MP personnel also attend courses conducted at the Royal New Zealand Police College
, and by allied MP such as the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
and the Royal Military Police
.
Military Police training was originally conducted at the Military Police School in Papakura Military Camp from 1949-1979. In February of 1979, the MP School was moved to Trentham Camp and later became a Training Wing of (then) Force Military Police Company. MP Training Wing now conducts all (Army) Military Police training, and Joint Service Police training for RNZN Naval Police and RNZAF Force Protection
personnel.
Courses conducted at MP Training Wing include investigative courses, security / Close Protection courses, and police command and planning courses. Instructors on the courses include serving MP, Naval Police and (Air) Force Protection personnel; NZ Police personnel and various personnel from other Corps within the NZDF and other NZ Government Departments. Students attending MP Training Wing courses have included service personnel from Tonga, Fiji, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea.
All RNZMP soldiers and officers are trained in Close Protection and serious investigations (e.g. murder, rape, fraud) skills. There are no specialisations within the RNZMP.
MP forces. It is thought that this is because the red colour was in use when the Corps was re-established , however a blue puggaree was worn on the NZ Hat
by MP of World War II. Until the change in 2002, this was a useful distinction when dealing with own-force policing in a coalition environment.
The blue and white colours remain on the Corps Belt and on the MP Brassard or Patch. The MP Brassard is worn on the left arm with Service Dress while the MP Patch is worn on the right arm of camouflage uniform.
, as both the patron saint of police and soldiers.
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
services to the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
, including criminal investigative services. It consists of one major unit, 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company; though members of the Corps are included in other units within the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
. The Corps is a Combat Support element responsible for the Policing, Investigation, Custodial, Security and Battlefield Circulation Control support to New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
Land elements. Personnel within the Corps include Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers of both the Regular Force and Territorial Force.
Pre-1915
As a Corps, RNZMP date from 1915. However there are links to earlier Military Policing.Provost Marshal Lineage
As the executive representatives of the Provost MarshalProvost Marshal
The Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in charge of the military police .There may be a Provost Marshal serving at many levels of the hierarchy and he may also be the public safety officer of a military installation, responsible for the provision of fire, gate security, and...
of the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
, RNZMP can claim the same ancient lineage as the UK's Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
.
The first record of a person conducting the duties of a Provost Marshal stem from 28 May 1241, when Henry II appointed William of Cassingham as a Military 'Sergeant of the Peace'. He and his Under-Provosts were the ancestors of the modern Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
.
The first recorded Provost Marshal in English history of whom there is a personal record is Sir Henry Guldeford (or Guylford) appointed in 1511. The Provost Marshal was responsible for maintaining discipline within the English armies together with the King's personal security, and was also described as the 'first and greatest gaoler of the Army'. As the Provost Marshal's office gradually assumed more and more duties of a policing nature within the Army, he was provided with State-paid troops, referred to in Henry VIII's day as Provost Companies.
Articles of War of 1591, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth laid down that: "No man shall resist the Provost Marshal, or other of his officers, in apprehending any malfactor, but if need be shall aid and assist him..."
During the Peninsula War of 1813-14, Duke of Wellington asked for a Provost Marshal to be appointed to hang looters; by the end of the Peninsular War the Provost Marshal controlled 24 Assistant Provost Marshals. The Assistants were also authorised to hang offenders and eventually each division had its own Assistant Provost Marshal.
New Zealand Colonial Days
New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
(NZ) become a colony of Britain in 1840. Policing within NZ started the same year with the arrival of six constables accompanying Lt. Governor Hobson's official landing party to form the colony of NZ. Early policing was by a colonial police force, part police and part militia. With many of its first officers having seen prior service in either Ireland or Australia, this early force resembled a military police unit.
The New Zealand Armed Constabulary Act of 1867 established an organised structure for a group that operated along gendermarie lines. The Armed Constabulary took part in the New Zealand Land Wars
New Zealand land wars
The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872...
against Māori opposed to colonial expansion. Still part police and part militia, this organisation can be considered as the predecessor of military policing within New Zealand.
The Police Force Act of 1886 established a single centralised Police Force. At the same time, government moved the militia functions of the old Armed Constabulary to the forerunner of the New Zealand Defence Force called in 1886 the New Zealand Permanent Militia. The New Zealand Permanent Militia, and later the New Zealand Military Forces, did not have a formal military police element. However, during the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
(1899-1902) individual NZ soldiers served with the British Mounted Military Police in South Africa.
1914-1990
During World War IMilitary history of New Zealand in World War I
When the United Kingdom declared war on Germany at the start of the First World War, the New Zealand government followed without hesitation, despite its geographic isolation and small population...
NZ Military Police served on all fronts where NZ soldiers fought as part of 1 NZEF. They were all mounted, and the MP squadron with the Mounted Rifle Brigade in the Middle East was allegedly the subject of a very favourable report from Major-General Chaytor, commander of the NZ Brigade. After the Armistice, the NZ Military Police were disbanded.
During World War II
Military history of New Zealand during World War II
thumb|A 1940 poster, signed by Michael Joseph Savage, calling on New Zealanders to support the war effort.New Zealand entered the Second World War by declaring war on Nazi Germany with Britain...
, the NZ Military Police were re-established. The first detachment of NZ Military Police sailed for the Middle East in January 1940, where they served on all fronts and in all engagements with 2NZEF. Duties mainly included Battlefield Circulation Control, Policing and Investigations. Major E.W. Hayton was awarded the DSO for outstanding Provost Duties at the Battle of El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
as Assistant Provost Marshal, while Major R.R.J. Jenkin was commanding the NZ Divisional Provost Company at the same battle. Major Jenkin was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Deputy Provost Marshal in Italy. After the war ended, the Military Police were again disbanded.
On 18 February 1949 the New Zealand Military Police were re-gazetted, and re-formed on 24 March 1951. On 18 July 1952, Her Majesty the Queen granted assent for the title "Royal", and the Corps became the Royal New Zealand Provost Corps (RNZ Pro).
In 1952, a Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
was appointed to the Corps. The first was Colonel E.W. Hayton, DSO, ED and on his death in 1957 was succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel R.R.J. Jenkin, MBE until 1968.
In August 1955 the first peace-time Regular Force Commissioned Officer was appointed to the Corps. This was Captain D.J. McLeod who had first seen service with the Scots Guards
Scots Guards
The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
and later with the Special Investigation Branch
Special Investigation Branch
The Special Investigation Branch is the name given to the detective branches of all three British military police arms: the Royal Navy Police, Royal Military Police and Royal Air Force Police. It is most closely associated with the Royal Military Police, which has the largest SIB. SIB members...
(SIB) of the Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
. Captain McLeod was appointed Head of Corps RNZ Pro at Army Headquarters and held this appointment until October 1962 when a reorganisation of the Corps took place.
RNZ Pro personnel served with the New Zealand elements sent in support of the British response to the Malayan Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
and in the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation during 1962–1966 was Indonesia’s political and armed opposition to the creation of Malaysia. It is also known by its Indonesian/Malay name Konfrontasi...
. RNZ Pro personnel were also sent with NZ troops to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
On 1 October 1962, the first peace-time Provost Marshal
Provost Marshal
The Provost Marshal is the officer in the armed forces who is in charge of the military police .There may be a Provost Marshal serving at many levels of the hierarchy and he may also be the public safety officer of a military installation, responsible for the provision of fire, gate security, and...
of the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
was appointed: Lieutenant Colonel R.H.F. Holloway, OBE, RNZA. Following this, in 1964 the first Regular Force Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal, Lieutenant Burton, was appointed.
RNZ Pro personnel were stationed with 1 RNZIR in Singapore as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve
Far East Strategic Reserve
The British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve was a joint military force of the British, Australian, and New Zealand armed forces...
from about 1972 until 1989. They formed part of a multinational Military Police unit, along with Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
, Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps...
and service police from the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
and Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
.
From 1979 until the mid-1980's, RNZ Pro / RNZMP personnel provided security at the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
On 18 December 1981, HM Queen Elizabeth consented a title change and a new corps badge. The title was changed to the Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police.
Current Role and Employment
The current role of the RNZMP is: to police the force, and provide police support to the mission. "Policing the force" refers to activities focussed internally on own troops, while "police support to the mission" refers to activities applied on a military force's objectives.The five functional areas of RNZMP are:
- Policing Operations
- Investigation Operations
- Custodial Operations
- Security Operations
- Battlefield Circulation Control
Domestically (within NZ), RNZMP focus primarily on policing operations to prevent crime affecting the military community, and investigations into incidents involving military personnel or property. MP are also deployed on security tasks within NZ when required.
Deployed activities focus primarily on the policing/investigation and security functional areas. MP may form part of a multinational MP unit conducting own force policing and investigations, or may be deployed as a standalone MP element within an NZDF deployed force. MP also provide Close Protection to Senior NZ military officers and government VIP within military theatres.
Law Enforcement Jurisdiction
RNZMP Commissioned Officers are appointed Provost Officers , with the Non-Commissioned Officers warranted to act on behalf of them. This provides RNZMP with jurisdiction over all personnel subject to the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971, meaning all service personnel (whether Navy, Army or Air Force) and in selected cases other personnel .MP are also delegated specific powers that give them jurisdiction over all personnel, whether civilian or service person, within Defence Areas . A Defence Area includes military camps and bases within NZ, RNZN ships, and other areas (both in NZ and other countries) may be declared a Defence Area in specific circumstances .
When within New Zealand, RNZMP must refer the most serious crimes (e.g. murder, rape) to the NZ Police. While deployed in an operational theatre, RNZMP retain jurisdiction of all matters involving NZDF personnel up to and including murder and rape.
Structure
The Provost Marshal of the New Zealand Army (PM(A)) is an NZ Army ColonelNew Zealand military ranks
New Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom. The three forces have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services...
within Headquarters NZDF, usually within Human Resources. The PM(A) is not an RNZMP officer, and is a secondary appointment held by that officer.
The Colonel Commandant has in recent times been a senior NZ Police officer. They are given the Honorary rank of Colonel, and the role is generally one of advocacy, removed from the command structure.
The Corps of RNZMP has one major unit, 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
, which was until 2008 known as Force Military Police Company. The majority of RNZMP personnel are posted to this unit, though there are some posted to other units within the NZDF.
The senior technical MP within the NZ Army is a Major
New Zealand military ranks
New Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom. The three forces have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services...
, the Officer Commanding
Officer Commanding
The Officer Commanding is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit , principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term Commanding Officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery...
1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
. The senior Non-Commissioned Officer is a Warrant Officer Class 1
New Zealand military ranks
New Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom. The three forces have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services...
called the Provost Sergeant Major.
The sub-unit elements and locations of 1st (New Zealand) Military Police Company, are as follows:
- 2nd Military Police PlatoonPlatoonA platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
, located at Linton Military Camp - 3rd Military Police PlatoonPlatoonA platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
, located at Burnham Military Camp - 4th Military Police DetachmentDetachment (military)A detachment is a military unit. It can either be detached from a larger unit for a specific function or be a permanent unit smaller than a battalion. The term is often used to refer to a unit that is assigned to a different base from the parent unit...
, located at Waiouru Military CampWaiouru Army CampThe Waiouru Army Camp is a base of the New Zealand Army in the central North Island near Waiouru.Waiouru is often referred to by soldiers as the home of the army as it houses the army marae and is the base where all New Zealand Army soldiers complete their initial basic training called All Arms... - 5th Military Police DetachmentDetachment (military)A detachment is a military unit. It can either be detached from a larger unit for a specific function or be a permanent unit smaller than a battalion. The term is often used to refer to a unit that is assigned to a different base from the parent unit...
, located at Trentham Military Camp
Recruiting and Training
Soldiers within the RNZMP are recruited from personnel already serving within the NZ Army, they cannot join directly. All applicants undergo a selection process. On successful completion of selection assessment, soldiers attend the Joint Service Police Basic Course conducted at the Military Police Training Wing in Trentham. This 10-week course trains the individual in basic military and criminal legislation, police procedures, use of force (Defensive Tactics), advanced driving, and basic investigative techniques. If they pass this course, the applicants are accepted into the RNZMP and allowed to wear the MP brassard/patch.Officers accepted into the RNZMP conduct their initial training with the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps...
. They then attend the same RNZMP / Joint Service Police courses as MP soldiers, run at MP Training Wing. Additionally, RNZMP Officers attend the courses attended by all officers within NZ Army.
Through their career, RNZMP personnel regularly return to MP Training Wing for continuing professional development courses. MP personnel also attend courses conducted at the Royal New Zealand Police College
Royal New Zealand Police College
The Royal New Zealand Police College is the central training institution for police recruits and police officers in New Zealand. It is located at Papakowhai, approximately 2 km north of Porirua City....
, and by allied MP such as the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps...
and the Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
.
Military Police training was originally conducted at the Military Police School in Papakura Military Camp from 1949-1979. In February of 1979, the MP School was moved to Trentham Camp and later became a Training Wing of (then) Force Military Police Company. MP Training Wing now conducts all (Army) Military Police training, and Joint Service Police training for RNZN Naval Police and RNZAF Force Protection
RNZAF Force Protection
RNZAF Force Protection is the Royal New Zealand Air Force unit responsible for Base Security and Investigations, Ground Defence, Service Policing, Physical Fitness and Core Military Skills...
personnel.
Courses conducted at MP Training Wing include investigative courses, security / Close Protection courses, and police command and planning courses. Instructors on the courses include serving MP, Naval Police and (Air) Force Protection personnel; NZ Police personnel and various personnel from other Corps within the NZDF and other NZ Government Departments. Students attending MP Training Wing courses have included service personnel from Tonga, Fiji, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea.
All RNZMP soldiers and officers are trained in Close Protection and serious investigations (e.g. murder, rape, fraud) skills. There are no specialisations within the RNZMP.
Corps Colours
The Corps Colours are Royal Blue and White. Until about 2002, when the NZ Army changed all personnel to a single beret colour (dark green), RNZMP personnel wore a bright blue beret as opposed to the red worn by most CommonwealthCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
MP forces. It is thought that this is because the red colour was in use when the Corps was re-established , however a blue puggaree was worn on the NZ Hat
Slouch hat
A slouch hat is a wide-brimmed felt or cloth hat with a chinstrap, most commonly worn as part of a military uniform. It is a survivor of the felt hats worn by certain 18th century armies. Since then, the slouch hat has been worn by military personnel from many nations including Australia, Britain,...
by MP of World War II. Until the change in 2002, this was a useful distinction when dealing with own-force policing in a coalition environment.
- "Outside of any national feelings, there is something about the red cap of the Corps of Military Police that makes it resemble the proverbial red rag, particularly if a man has had a few drinks. The hat with the blue puggaree worn by our Provost Corps was much less offensive...as time went and men become tougher and war-weary, the arrival of the CMP undoubtedly caused irritation and sometimes bred increased violence."
The blue and white colours remain on the Corps Belt and on the MP Brassard or Patch. The MP Brassard is worn on the left arm with Service Dress while the MP Patch is worn on the right arm of camouflage uniform.
White Lanyard
The RNZMP Dress Distinction is the white lanyard worn with Service Dress, which stems from the silver chain lanyard used to secure the police whistle previously used by MP . It now consists of white knotted cord worn around the left shoulder, and affixed to the left breast pocket button, or second jacket button for women in Service Dress with jackets.Corps Birthday
The Corps of RNZMP birthday is 18 July (1952), the date when the 'Royal' prefix was granted.Patron Saint
The patron saint of the RNZMP is Saint MichealMichael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, as both the patron saint of police and soldiers.
Affiliations
The Corps of RNZMP has links with:- The Royal Military PoliceRoyal Military PoliceThe Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
- The Royal Australian Corps of Military PoliceRoyal Australian Corps of Military PoliceThe Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps...