Military Police Officer

Army General Service Officers are allocated to specific roles shortly before graduation from the Royal Military College - Duntroon. The allocation of roles is based on performance during training.

Military Police Officers provide commanders with an essential element of command and control through planning executing and commanding the application of the four main Military Police functions of Law Enforcement; Mobility and Manoeuvre Support; Security; and Internment and Detention operations. These functions are equally applicable in Australia and overseas through the essential tasks of Policing the force' and Policing in support of the mission'.

The Military Police law enforcement role is a critical component of the Military Justice System, whose purpose is to maintain military effectiveness and to maintain the reputation of Army. This law enforcement function is provided in Australia and overseas. This is referred to as Policing the force'. Furthermore, Military Police provide Army with a critical law enforcement capability assisting in the enforcement, enhancement, establishment or re-establishment of civilian laws and/or judicial systems and administering applicable international civilian law. This is referred to as Policing in support of the mission'. In short, your role is encapsulated in the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police motto - For the Troops and With the Troops'.

Upon qualifying as Military Police Officers, individuals are posted to Command appointments within the 1st Military Police Battalion. Follow on postings are based upon the service need, career development needs and individual preferences.

Military Police Officers may undertake specialist courses prior to undertaking selected tactical appointments as Lieutenants or technical appointments as Captains. These appointments are as follows:

Tactical Support Team

Selected (Regular) Military Police Officers may be appointed to command the Tactical Support Team within a Military Police Company of the 1st Military Police Battalion. Personnel within the Tactical Support Team, in addition to their generalist police skills and specialisation, are trained in advanced weapons systems, close quarter fighting, surveillance, reconnaissance and individual and team drills.

The Tactical Support Team provides a more advanced tactical capability and consists of two elements as follows:

• Tactical Support Element. All personnel in the Tactical Support Element are qualified Close Personal Protection Operatives. Close Personal Protection is provided to high profile personnel or VIPs who are likely to be terrorist, criminal or military targets due to their grade, assignment, symbolic value, vulnerabilities and/or location

In addition to the Tactical Support Team skills outlined above, Close Personal Protection Operatives are employed in Close Personal Protection duties, guarding military and non-military VIP, in all theatres of operations.

• Military Police Dog Element. All personnel in the Military Police Dog Element are qualified Military Police Dog Handlers. Military Police Dogs undertake tasks such as trailing and tracking, building clearances, search and rescue and crowd control

In addition to the Tactical Support Team skills outlined above, Military Police Dog Handlers are responsible for the training, husbandry and handling of Military Police Dogs that are used to detect human intrusion, track people, act as a deterrent in crowd control and apprehend personnel suspected of committing criminal offences.

Australian Defence Force Investigative Service

Military Police Officers (including Reserve) may be appointed to technical and / or command positions as Captains within the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service and may undertake the Australian Defence Force Investigators Course prior to undertaking the appointment.

The Australian Defence Force Investigative Service provides Defence with a serious, complex and sensitive investigative capability domestically and overseas. This includes tasks such as crime scene examinations, investigation of incidents and the collection, recording and subsequent presentation of evidence at judicial proceedings. Australian Defence Force Investigators also work with State, Territory and Australian Federal Police.

Reserve members with appropriate qualifications and / or relevant policing experience may also apply for direct entry to the ADF as Specialist Service Officer Investigator.

Professional Standards

Regardless of the type of entry (enlisted or Officer) and / or employment category you may choose, the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police are seeking individuals who personify the character, professional and ethical standards and qualities expected of Military Police, who, by virtue of their appointment, are placed in a position of authority and trust.

Military Police Professional Ethos

Military Police are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards and integrity associated with a position of trust and are expected to embody the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police qualities, exercising prudent judgement and discretion in their private and social life. Regardless of the environment in which they work, Military Police have continual contact with all ranks and Services and civilians. Military Police are required to understand and empathise with indigenous cultures, communicate across cultural barriers and interact in detail with the local populace that may involve accessing sensitive personal information as part of their police duties, including investigations; therefore the highest levels of personal integrity, discretion and tact are mandatory.

Royal Australian Corps of Military Police Qualities

In addition to the Army values of Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork, Military Police are expected to embody the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police qualities as follows:

• Commitment: motivation towards mission achievement, particularly in police duties on operations or domestically
• Integrity: reliability and suitability to exercise power over others, influence justice systems, and access privileged information
• Tradecraft: application of intelligence and investigative techniques, police procedures and legal authority
• Operational skills: ability as a planner, leader and soldier
• Communication skills: ability to provide, receive, obtain and assess information

Service Police Code of Conduct

The Service Police Code of Conduct binds Military Police, as part of the Service Police community, as follows:

A Service Police member must, at all times, engage in behaviour that does not call into question their standing to be a fit and proper person to undertake Service policing duties. In particular, they are to:

• Act with due care and diligence, including complying with all authorised Service Police practises and procedures in the performance of their policing duties
• Act with honesty, propriety and integrity, including not making improper use of position, resources or information obtained in the course of policing duties
• Act with fairness, reasonableness, courtesy and respect, without favour or discrimination, to all
• Persons, particularly with respect to victims and complainants
• Refrain from disproportionate and unlawful use of force
• Ensure private interests do not conflict with official duties, including acting with objectivity and
• Without bias influenced by person interests, beliefs, attitudes, or interests of friends, family or colleagues
• Display the highest standards of personal behaviour, including complying with civil and military law, whether on or off duty, so as not to bring discredit upon Service Police
• Report all alleged unlawful and criminal conduct, corrupt practices, dishonest or unethical conduct, breaches of discipline, conflicts of interest, and breaches of the Service Police Code of Conduct