1st Military Police Brigade

1st Military Police Brigade
Brigade Tactical Recognition Flash
Active1 December 2014–present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeMilitary Police
SizeBrigade
Part ofArmy Headquarters
Brigade HQMarlborough Lines, Andover
Website1st Military Police Brigade

The 1st Military Police Brigade (1 MP Bde) is a policing formation of the British Army, which is the only one-star command of the Royal Military Police. The brigade was formed in 2014 and is commanded by a brigadier, but is due to be re-structured and reduced to a colonel's command.

History

Army 2020

Prior to December 2014, the military police regiments of the Royal Military Police (RMP) were part of their respective commands: 1st Regiment under 1st (UK) Armoured Division; 2nd Regiment under Headquarters Northern Ireland (reformed in 2006, unknown history after 2007); 3rd Regiment under 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division; 4th Regiment under 101st Logistic Brigade; and 5th Regiment under 102nd Logistic Brigade. However, under the Army 2020 programme announced in 2013, following the Strategic Defence and Security Review of 2010, the Royal Military Police was rationalised and completely reorganised, among other things. Under this reform, the 2nd and 5th Regiments were to disband and their companies either disbanded or transferred to the three remaining regiments (1st, 3rd, and 4th). These three regiments would become 'hybrid' and 'integrated' police units, each with two regular provost companies and one territorial (reserve from 2015) company. In addition, the new Special Operations Unit, RMP which stood up in 2014.[1][2][3][4]

On formation on 1 December 2014, the brigade was organised as follows:[2][3][5][6]

From 2014 until the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the brigade formed part of Force Troops Command, with the 1st Regiment supporting the 1st UK Division and northern UK operations; 3rd Regiment supporting 3rd UK Division and overseas operations; and 4th Regiment supporting Force Troops command and southern UK operations.

Rather unusually the brigade, unlike the other formations of Force Troops Command, only remained under the command for administrative purposes. Because of the Royal Military Police's special role, the brigade retained investigative independence from the chain of command, thus being part of Army Headquarters operationally.[17]

On 1 December 2014, the brigade headquarters was established with the Provost Marshal (Army) taking control at Marlborough Lines in Andover, Hampshire known as the 1st Military Police Brigade.[3]

Army 2020 Refine

In 2017, a supplement to the Army 2020 programme was announced entitled the Army 2020 Refine which reversed many of the unit-level changes of the former. Under the 'Refine', the 4th Regiment RMP was disbanded in late 2019 and its companies dispersed to the other two remaining regiments[18][19]

The brigade's structure by 2021 was now as follows:

  • 1st Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison[7][20][21]
    • 110 Provost Company, at Leuchars Station[22][23]
    • 150 Provost Company, at Beach Head Lines, Catterick Garrison[22][23][24]
    • 174 Provost Company, at Parsons Barracks, Donnington[23][25][26]
    • 116 Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Cannock[27][28]
      • 2 Platoon, in Gorton, Manchester[28][29]
    • 243 Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Livingston[30][28]
      • 252 Platoon, in Stockton-on-Tees[30][28]
  • 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Wing Barracks, Bulford Camp[7]
    • 158 Provost Company, at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Camp[10]
    • 156 Provost Company, at Goojerat Barracks, Colchester Garrison – supporting 16th Air Assault Bde[10]
    • 160 Provost Company, at Provost Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
    • 253 (London) Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Tulse Hill[4]
  • Special Investigation Branch Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Ward Barracks, Bulford Camp[7]
    • No. 1 Investigation Company, at Imphal Barracks, York[15]
    • No. 2 Investigation Company, at Parsons Barracks, Donnington[14]
    • No. 3 Investigation Company
      • 37 Investigations Section, at Parsons Barracks, Donnington[14]
    • No. 4 Investigation (Special Crimes Team) Company
    • 83 Investigations Section (Army Reserve), at Bulford Camp[4]
    • 84 Investigations Section (Army Reserve), at Bulford Camp[4]
    • 85 Investigations Section (Army Reserve), at Bulford Camp[4]
  • Special Operations Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Longmoor Army Camp – later moved to Southwick Park[7][16]
    • Service Police Crime Bureau[14]
    • Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit
  • Military Provost Staff Corps, at Colchester Garrison[3][7]
    • Regimental Headquarters, at Berechurch Hall Camp
    • Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester Garrison
    • Headquarters Company
    • SCF Company
    • Detention Company
    • No. 1 Company (Army Reserve)

In 2019, under the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the entirety of the army's forces were reorganised. With this reorganisation, the 1st and 3rd Regiments RMP were moved to 101st Logistic Brigade, which was later reverted, and the brigade moved to Regional Command, which was also later reverted. By 2021, the brigade was re-organised into its pre-2019 structure, and the brigade moved under the administrative command of the 1st (United Kingdom) Division.[31]

Current organisation

The Special Investigation Branch Regiment was disbanded in 2022, and was replaced by the new tri-service Defence Serious Crime Unit.[32]

The brigade's structure now consists of:

  • 1st Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison
    • 110 Provost Company, at Leuchars Station
    • 150 Provost Company, at Beach Head Lines, Catterick Garrison
    • 174 Provost Company, at Parsons Barracks, Donnington
    • 116 Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Cannock
      • 2 Platoon, in Gorton, Manchester
    • 243 Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Livingston
      • 252 Platoon, in Stockton-on-Tees
  • 3rd Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Wing Barracks, Bulford Camp
    • 158 Provost Company, at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Camp
    • 156 Provost Company, at Goojerat Barracks, Colchester Garrison – supporting 16th Air Assault Bde
    • 160 Provost Company, at Provost Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
    • 253 (London) Provost Company (Army Reserve), in Tulse Hill
  • Special Operations Regiment, Royal Military Police, at Southwick Park[16]
    • Service Police Crime Bureau
    • Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit
  • Military Provost Staff Corps, at Colchester Garrison
    • Regimental Headquarters, at Berechurch Hall Camp
    • Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester Garrison
    • Headquarters Company
    • SCF Company
    • Detention Company
    • No. 1 Company (Army Reserve)

Future

In November 2021, the Future Soldier changes were announced which would radically transform the British Army. Alongside many brigade reductions, the 1st Military Police Brigade will be reduced to a colonel's command as the 1st Royal Military Police Group. According to the British Amy's 'Future Soldier Guide', the Provost Marshal (Army) will continue to command the brigade. The brigade will see some small internal changes with its regiments restructuring by March 2025. The brigade is due to remain under Army Headquarters for the foreseeable future.[33]

Commanders

Commanders of the brigade have all been Provost Marshals and held the title of Provost Marshal (Army) & Commander, 1st Military Police Brigade.[34]

Provost Marshal (Army) & Commander, 1st Military Police Brigade
Rank Name Term began Term ended Ref
Brigadier Robert (Bill) W. Warren MBE 1 December 2014 — (Provost Marshal since 11 October 2012) 22 July 2016 [35][36]
Brigadier David Neal 22 July 2016 19 July 2019 [37][36]
Brigadier Vivienne Buck 19 July 2019 15 June 2023 [38]
Brigadier Sarah Pringle-Smith 15 June 2023 — [39]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Transforming the British Army, p. 5
  2. ^ a b Transforming the British Army, p. 13
  3. ^ a b c d e "Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit" (PDF). Army Families Federation. 29 July 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Summary of Army 2020 Reserve Structure and Basing Changes" (PDF). British Army Website. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Ministry of Defence Report on the Regular Army Basing Plan sorted by Unit, Current Location, and Future Location" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Freedom of Information Act request regarding sub-units of the Intelligence Corps and Royal Military Police under Army 2020" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Written Question, Answers, and Statements: Ministry of Defence: Question regarding the Order of Battle by Manpower and Basing Location by Corps" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliament Website. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Typhoon aircraft relocate to RAF Lossiemouth". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  9. ^ "110 Provost Company Host the 1 RMP Commanding Officer's Cup at Leuchars Station". Facebook. 1st Military Police Brigade. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e "British Army units from 1945 on - Provost Companies 101 to 169". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Royal Military Police Re-Adapt For The 21st Century". Forces Network. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Google Maps - Catterick Police Station".
  13. ^ a b "British Army units from 1945 on - Provost Companies 170 to 260". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Ministry of Defence Paper: A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. November 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Ministry of Defence Paper: A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. November 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "Ministry of Defence Paper: A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. November 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  17. ^ Transforming the British Army, p. 10
  18. ^ "Freedom of Information Act request regarding the Army 2020 Refine changes by unit" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. Ministry of Defence. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  19. ^ "RMP Reserves". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  20. ^ King, Hannah. "Treasure Hunting With The Royal Military Police". Forces Network. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  21. ^ King, Hannah. "Royal Military Police March Across Europe". Forces Network. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  22. ^ a b King, Hannah. "Military Police Put Soldiering Skills To The Test". Forces Network. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  23. ^ a b c "110 Provost Company Host the 1 RMP Commanding Officer's Cup at Leuchars Station". Facebook. 1st Military Police Brigade. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Royal Military Police Re-Adapt For The 21st Century". Forces Network. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  25. ^ "A Batter Defence Estate Publication" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. November 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Shropshire base flying the flag for military future". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Army Reserve Centre, 156 Walsall Road, Bridgetown, Cannock WS11 0JB". British Army Recruiting. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  28. ^ a b c d "Freedom of Information Act regarding changes to Army Reserve units under the Army 2020 Refine" (PDF). What do they know?. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Army Reserve Units | Manchester Belle Vue".
  30. ^ a b "British Army units from 1945 on - Provost Companies 170 to 260". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Freedom of Information Act request regarding Army 2020 Refine changes since 2017" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  32. ^ "New investigative unit launched to handle serious criminal offences across defence". GOV.UK. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Future Soldier Guide" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications. British Army. 30 November 2021. pp. 100–101. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  34. ^ "Provost Marshal (Army) & 1 MP Brigade". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Headquarters, Provost Marshal (Army) letter regarding appointment of Colonel (for Brigadier) R. W. Warren MBE" (PDF). The Redcaps: Unofficial Website of the Royal Military Police Association. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Appointment of Provost Marshal (Army)". Facebook. 1st Military Police Brigade. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  37. ^ "New Provost Marshal (Army)". www.redcap70.net. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  38. ^ "As at 1230 hrs today, Brigadier Vivienne Buck has assumed the appointment of Provost Marshal (Army) & Commander 1 Military Police Brigade". Facebook. 1st Military Police Brigade. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Thursday 15th June 2023 witnessed the historical moment of the change of Provost Marshal (Army) and the symbolic transfer of the Provost Marshal's Sword of Office. The day was marked by a study day and a ceremonial Dinner Night where Brigadier Sarah Pringle-Smith said, "It is with immense pleasure and deep humility that I acknowledge the privilege and responsibility bestowed upon me as the 44th Provost Marshal (Army) since 1861"". www.instagram.com. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.

References