An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE THE MILITARY POLICE T he last twelve months have been a busy and varied time for the Military Police (MP) Corps. MP support to formation commanders as well as training and capability development have made up the bulk of this time period. OPERATIONS The MP Corps provided support overseas to the 124 Infantry Battalion commander in UNIFIL and also to the 68 Infantry Group commander in UNDOF prior to & during the withdrawal of the Irish contingent from the mission area. At home, the MP Corps continues to provide support to formation commanders in the form of investigative operations, mobility support, security, detention, and provost operations as well as ceremonial duties. TRAINING Upskilling, education and professional development continues of critical importance to the MP Corps. This ensures that the MP Corps embrace national and international best practice and that personnel are adequately prepared to conduct military police operations to the highest possible standards. Effective governance and management of MP operations is enhanced through targeted education and the development of MP personnel. Nine MP Corps personnel participated in the annual Exercise 'Angel Guardian' in Spain in June 2024. This included seven PDF personnel & two RDF personnel led by Capt Muiris O'Murchadha (2 Bde MP). This International Military Police (IMP) exercise trains and exercises MP units on NATO TTPs in relation to the conduct and execution of MP operations & promotes the strengthening of ties among MP services of NATO Allied & Partnership for Peace countries. MP personnel have also successfully participated in several other international courses and forums including the UN Military Police Course in Denmark, the NATO MP Command Senior Enlisted Forum and the NATO MP Junior Officer, Junior NCO, & Senior NCO course in the NATO MP Centre of Excellence (COE) in Poland. Domestically, the MP school continues to facilitate and run courses in coordination with An Garda Síochána, in order to upskill personnel and ensure best practice. These courses include scene of crime examiners courses, and the sexual gender based violence interviewing course. The MP school also successfully concluded the 69th MP Probationers Course in May 2024, which made up a total of 26 students & commenced the 70th MP Probationers course in October 2024, which consists of 32 personnel drawn from all services of the Defence Forces. The 26th MP Officers course & the 39th MP Standard NCO also took place during the year. Third level education is a key aspect of career development in the MP Corps, this year several personnel have commenced a number of courses in third level institutions ranging from areas such as financial crime investigation & photography to forensic psychology and criminology. CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT The MP Corps continues to strive to develop its capabilities in order to offer increased support to Defence Forces operations. The MP Corps is currently planning on conducting its first Close Protection (CP) course in Q3 of 2025, having recently received approval for its CP syllabus by the Defence Forces Academic Council (DFAC). This syllabus was developed by MP Corps personnel who underwent the Royal Military Police Close Protection Course in the United Kingdom. The course aim is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to provide CP to a designated person who may be at risk of any direct or indirect harassment, harm, or attack. MP Army Reserve (AR) personnel in coordination with the MP School are in the process of developing a military law manual for the MP Corps. When complete, this manual will offer a legal guide to MP personnel in the conduct of their duties. MP Operations will be supported with the introduction of upgraded equipment as part of the MP Corps procurement plan. Members of the MP Corps put under pressure during a Riot Control exercise in Spain BY COL DAMIEN COAKLEY CORPS Irish Participants of NATO Military Police Exercise Angel Guardian in Spain with exercise staff Capt Ashley O'Connor (back row, 3rd from left) on Completion of the UK Royal Military Police Close Protection Course

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