This article is about the military police of the Royal Marines. For the Royal Marine Police, the civil police force formerly responsible for guarding Royal Navy bases, see Admiralty Constabulary.
This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2017)
The Royal Marines Police, or Royal Marines Police Troop (RM Police Troop) is the Royal Marines element of the Royal Navy Police and the military police arm of the Royal Marines.[1] Members of the RM Police enforce service law and discipline.
Structure
In 2009 the RM Police came under the operational command of the Royal Navy Police for policing and investigations; providing more investigatory independence from their non-service police chains of command.[2] although it still exists as a distinct unit under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade.[3]
The overall head of the Royal Navy Police (including RM Police Troop) is the Provost Marshal - Navy.
As of August 2022 this was held by Commander Andy Williams, himself an ex Royal Marine Commando and ex Royal Marines Police member.[4]
Duties and responsibilities
The RM Police is responsible for providing garrison policing services – law enforcement and crime prevention as well as general security advice to the command – and provide personnel to the Royal Navy Police Special Investigations Branch (RNP SIB) section for the investigation of serious crime.
RM Police personnel are recruited from within the trained strength of the Royal Marines, following completion of a first posting to a rifle troop in a Commando.
In military operations, the Royal Marines Police Troop provide military police support for all phases of operations and peacekeeping operations including co-ordinating vehicle movements out of the beachhead, marking the main supply routes and providing convoy escorts.
It also conducts general police duties and provides close protection for the Brigade Commander. Personnel are eligible to undertake the close protection courses run by the Royal Military Police. Royal Marines Police personnel are also attached to other units.
For example, RM Police Troop marines were present at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2017, assisting other Service Police and civilian police.[7]
Powers and authority
Marines and Warrant Officers of the Royal Marines Police are not constables and have no powers in relation to civil law enforcement. However, they are Service Police persons and do have authority under the Armed Forces Act 2006.[8]
Equipment
For general policing duties (GPD) in the United Kingdom, very similar equipment is carried to civilian police forces, such as:
Black stab vest
Black (or high visibility yellow) equipment 'tac' vest
This is worn with the MTP No. 3B or No. 3D uniform. Normal green Commando beret is also worn. The tri-service 'black-on-red' patch is worn on the jacket/smock sleeve.
RM Police Troop, in the UK, do not generally carry TASER, incapacitant spray, or firearms.
The Royal Navy Police now have their personnel wearing body warn video cameras (BWVC).
