Royal Military Police

The Royal Military Police (RMP) is the military police of the British Army. Colloquially, members of the RMP are also called RedCaps, which refers to their distinctive red umbrella hats or barettes.

History

The story of the RMP begins with William of Cassingham being appointed Sergeant of Peace by Henry III on 28 May 1241. The title was later changed to Provost Marshal, which remains the head of the military police. Initially, this position relied on a flexible and irregular arrangement, with some soldiers assisting the Provost Marshal.

It wasn't until the Napoleonic Wars that the system began to take shape. The Duke of Wellington formalized the system, but it was still not a regular or standardized unit. It wasn't until 1877 that a regular Military Mounted Police (MMP) was established, followed by the Military Foot Police in 1885.

In practice, these two units worked together as one, and in 1926 they were formally merged to form the modern Royal Military Police.

Roles and Responsibilities

The RMP is responsible for a range of tasks, including:

* Contract
* Transport rules
* Military security
* Law and order
* Mobility support
* Prisoners
* Respect for law and discipline
* Surveys and investigations
* Investigations into crimes and war crimes
* Protection of objects and persons

Organisation

The Royal Military Police is organized as follows:

### United Kingdom

* 3 Regiment RMP
+ 150 Provost Company
+ 158 Provost Company
+ 173 Provost Company
+ 174 Provost Company
* 4 Regiment RMP
+ 160 Provost Company
+ 116 Provost Company (Volunteers)
+ 253 Provost Company (Volunteers)
* 5 Regiment RMP
+ 101 Provost Company
+ 114 Provost Company
+ 243 Provost Company (Volunteers)
+ 252 Provost Company (Volunteers)

### Other Units

* 156 Provost Co