Royal Military Police: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Royal Military Police (RMP) is the military police arm of the British Army. Its members are generally known as the 'Redcaps' because they wear red-topped peaked caps or red berets. Like other military police around the world, they also wear white webbing and gaiters when on duty.

The post of Provost Marshal has existed since the William of Cassingham was appointed by Henry III on 28 May 1241 (the orginal title was Sergeant of the Peace), and he has always had men detached to assist him (an arrangement formalised by the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War), but only since 1877 has there actually existed a regular corps of military police. In that year, the Military Mounted Police (MMP) was formed, followed by the Military Foot Police (MFP) in 1885. Although technically two independent corps, these two effectively functioned as a single organisation. In 1926 they were fully amalgamated to form the Corps of Military Police (CMP). In recognition of their service in the Second World War, they became the Corps of Royal Military Police (RMP) on 28 November 1946 under Army Order 167. On 6 April 1992 they lost their status as an independent corps and, together with the Military Provost Staff Corps, became the Provost Branch of the Adjutant General's Corps. They were, however, permitted to retain the name Royal Military Police, together with their cap badge and distinctive insignia (such as the red cap).

The RMP are still headed by the Provost Marshal, now a Brigadier. Every formation has a Deputy or Assistant Provost Marshal. The RMP is divided into units called Provost Companies, divided into platoons and sometimes grouped into regiments. All RMP personnel are at least non-commissioned officers, being promoted to Acting Lance Corporal as soon as they complete training, in order to give them authority over other soldiers. Commissioned officers were once attached from other branches of the army, but can now be commissioned directly into the RMP. RMP personnel are not sworn in as constables, but do have police powers on military property.

The RMP is divided into three branches. Most personnel belong to the General Police Duties (GPD) Branch, which performs uniformed policing and security duties. The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) is the detective branch. The Close Protection (CP) Branch provides bodyguards for senior military officers and other key personnel in danger zones.