What is the name of the military police: structure, tasks and differences

The question of what the military police is called often arises not only among those interested in the army structure, but also among civilians who are faced with a document check or an incident near military facilities. For a long time in Russia, the military commander’s office performed the functions of maintaining order among the military, which created a certain confusion in terminology. Today, the situation has changed dramatically, and police It became a full-fledged, independent branch of forces, having a clear structure and broad powers.

Understanding the difference between the old commandant and the new police is important for anyone who is somehow connected with the army. This is not just a change of signage, but a fundamental reform that changed the approach to law and order in the military. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly name this body, what it does and how it interacts with civil law enforcement agencies.

Sometimes people mistakenly believe that this is an elite unit or an analogue of special forces, but their tasks are mainly law enforcement and regulatory in nature. Military police monitors discipline, prevents crime and ensures the safety of the movement of military equipment. Knowing these nuances will help to avoid misunderstanding when communicating with representatives of the law in uniforms.

Official name and history of appearance in Russia

The official name of the body ensuring law and order in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, - Military police (GP). This term is enshrined in legal acts and used in official documents of the Ministry of Defense. Until 2012, similar functions were performed by units of the military commandant’s office, which were part of the rear structure of the army and did not have such a wide range of powers.

The creation of the EaP was a response to the need to modernize the system of discipline maintenance. The old commandant system was often fragmented and dependent on unit commanders, which reduced the effectiveness of control. The new structure was intended to be an independent tool of command at all levels to restore order.

⚠️ Attention: The use of the term "military commandant's office" in relation to modern units of the EaP is legally incorrect, although colloquially it can still be heard from representatives of the older generation.

It is important to note that Military Police Day is celebrated on October 18, which is timed to the date of signing the relevant decree by the President of the Russian Federation. This event consolidated the status of the body and allocated it to a separate, significant structure within armed forces. Since then, the number and technical equipment of the units has been constantly growing.

Main tasks and functions of the unit

The military police cover a wide range of tasks, far beyond simply checking soldiers’ documents. The main objective is to maintain discipline and law and order. EaP employees are obliged to prevent crimes and offenses by military personnel, as well as to identify the causes and conditions conducive to their commission.

One of the key functions is traffic regulation. Military motorists are subject to special rules, and it is the EaP that controls compliance with the rules. PDD drivers of military equipment. This includes checking the rights, technical condition of the vehicles and investigating road accidents involving army transport.

• 🚓 Patroling places of mass stay of military personnel and protection of public order.
• 🚙 Regulation of the movement of military equipment and participation in road patrols.
• 🔍 Search for military personnel who voluntarily left part, and the detention of criminals.
• 🛡️ Protection of important objects and participation in anti-terrorism activities.

In addition, the tasks include escorting detainees and participating in security during mass events. Police officers They also work with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Interior Ministry and the FSB, in joint operations. This integration makes it possible to effectively combat crime at the intersection of the civilian and military sectors.

Differences from the Military Commandant and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Many people still wonder what the difference is between the old commandant and the new police. The main difference lies in the authority and authority. The curfew services were formerly part of the rear bodies and often performed auxiliary, economic functions along with the protection of order. Military police It is an independent body, subordinate directly to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.

Unlike the civilian police, the EaP military has jurisdiction over the military. However, in certain situations, for example, when detaining a criminal on the territory of a military unit or when suppressing a crime against military service, their powers may overlap with those of the authorities. civil law enforcement.

|Basic.

| Specialized (armored cars, special equipment)

It is also worth noting the difference in working methods. Modern units are equipped with advanced technical means, video surveillance systems and have in their staff canine gunners, explosive technicians and cybersecurity specialists. This makes them more mobile and effective in the face of modern threats.

Structure and specialized units

The structure of the military police is not uniform and is divided into various specialized departments, each of which solves its own range of tasks. There is. patrolThe most noticeable for the inhabitants, as these employees serve on the streets and in places of concentration of military. They provide visual control and prompt response.

Special attention should be paid to the road patrol service (DPS) of the military police. These specialists are exclusively concerned with road safety issues involving military equipment. They have the right to stop any military vehicles, check the travel lists and technical condition of the vehicles. Their work is critical to preventing accidents involving heavy military transport.

• 🐕 Cynological service: search for explosives, narcotics and search for people.
• 💣 Explosive units: ammunition disposal and cargo inspection.
• 🕵️ Operational and investigative departments: prevention and detection of crimes.
• 🚓 Special units: ensuring order in case of mass riots.

There are also units specialtyThey are involved in particularly complex tasks, including the release of hostages and the fight against terrorism. This multi-level structure allows you to flexibly respond to any challenges, whether it is hooliganism in the barracks or a serious terrorist attack.

Powers to detain and verify documents

The powers of EaP employees are strictly regulated by law. They have the right to check the identity documents of military personnel, as well as documents for the right to drive a vehicle. When violations are detected, they may hold up offenders and bring them to the commandant's office of the garrison or duty unit.

It is important to understand that during detention, an EaP serviceman is obliged to introduce himself, name his position and present a certificate on demand. Detention may be carried out in uniform or in plainclothes if the employee is on duty. In the latter case, he must present a service certificate before any action is taken.

⚠️ Attention: Resistance to a military police officer in the performance of his official duties is equal to resistance to a representative of the authorities and entails criminal liability.

Employees also have the right to use physical force, special means and weapons in cases and in the manner provided for by the Federal Law "On Police" and the Regulations on Military Police. However, the use of weapons is an extreme measure and is allowed only in the presence of a direct threat to life or to suppress particularly serious crimes.

Interaction with civilians and traffic police

The interaction of military police with the civilian population occurs mainly in two scenarios: when checking documents near security facilities and when participating in joint patrols with the civilian population. GABD. In large cities, you can often find mixed crews, where police inspectors and military police officers serve together. This allows you to effectively control drivers driving vehicles in camouflage.

Civilians are obliged to comply with the legal requirements of EaP employees if they are located on the territory of a military unit or a protected perimeter. Outside these territories, the jurisdiction of the military police is limited, and the main functions of public order are performed by the authorities. MVD. However, in the event of a crime against military service, the military police officer is obliged to intervene.

Often there is a question of checking documents from civilians. Military police are not allowed to simply check the documents of passers-by on the street, as does the civilian police. Their target audience is military personnel. The inspection of a civilian is possible only in the framework of anti-terrorist measures or in case of suspicion of involvement in a crime at a protected facility.

Development prospects and modern equipment

The military police continues to develop actively, adopting the best world practices. In recent years, the park of special equipment has been significantly updated. New armored vehicles entered service "Tiger." and Typhoon.equipped with video surveillance and communication systems. This allows crews to respond quickly to incidents anywhere in the country.

Special attention is paid to digital transformation. Uniform databases, biometric identification systems and automatic number recognition are being implemented. Digitalization allows real-time tracking of the movement of military equipment and the status of servicemen, which greatly simplifies the search work and prevention of offenses.

• 📡 Using drones to monitor large areas and parades.
• 💻 Implementing mobile terminals for breaking documents into the field.
• 🎥 Installation of body-cam cameras on the employee uniform to monitor actions.
• 🚁 The use of aviation to escort columns and search for violators.

Further staff expansion and the creation of new specialized training centres are planned. The profession of a military police officer is becoming more and more prestigious, requiring not only physical training, but also a deep knowledge of the law and the ability to work with modern technology.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions