At the end of 1948 there was at least one Militia Provost Company in each of the five Army Commands. From this time period to present day not much has really changed. The militia provost was paid the equivalent rate as the Regular Army, on the basis of one half day's pay for each militia drill, duty or training parade attended with the unit. Militia Provost were issued the basic kit and clothing.
Summer Training was created to do large scale concentrations and training. An example of summer training would be an emphasis on training and qualifying Junior and Senior NCOs for that particular summer. The new provost members were given a course in basic provost subjects such as map using, road reconnaissance, traffic control and route signing. Officers and NCO's already qualified were attached to local Regular Force Provost Units or given appointments within the Camp organization to practice them in administrative tasks.
March 1949 - 8 newly formed Reserve Provost Companies exceeded that of the Regular Force units - 342 to 280 all ranks.
Just as in the present obtaining jeeps and motorcycles was sometimes difficult since these vehicles were not always available. Also some members of the Reserve Provost were Policeman with Municipal police forces. Thus allowing for some interesting training just as today. Although in LFCA there is a directive that this is a forbidden practice but is readily ignored by the Reserve MP organizations and cross training continues today.
During the reorganization of the Militia in 1966 the Provost Companies were disolved and the MP Platoons were placed in with the Service Battalion. The Provost was renamed to the Security Branch and by 1968 the Provost ceased to exist.
In 1971 the Regular Force MP units left the Service Battalions to be established as independent units.
1994 - The primary role of the Reserves is the augmentation, sustainment and support of deployed forces. The function of the Primary Reserve MP although less comprehensive than that of the Regular Force MP, includes: the provision of security and custodial services in both operational and non-operational theatres and on CF establishments; the protection of personnel, information and material against subversion, sabotage, espionage, terrorism and other forms of threat; the enforcement of discipline; the control and documentation of POWs; refugee and straggler control; rear area security; and NBC monitoring and traffic control in support of field operations. The Res MP must be capable of augmenting, supporting and completing all tasks performed to the same standard as the Reg MP.
April 1997 - The Canadian Army was restructured again allowing the Reserve Military Police Platoons to become independent units operating in support of the Brigades.
RESERVE MP TRAINING
After completing Basic training the Reserve MP is qualified to attend the Military Police QL 3 at the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) at CFB Borden. The Reserve MP course contains some of the following subject matter:
Laws of armed conflict / Regulations pertaining to Prisoners of War & detainees / control & process stragglers & refugees
Battlecraft / map & compass / platoon support weapons C6 - C9 / communications
Route reconnaissance / route signing
Traffic control (garrison & operational) / roadblocks
NBCD
Enforce military statutes & regulations / protect a crime scene / ISDRS & DCAARS
Organization & role of the MP / MP policies / MP service mandate
MP notebook / daily occurence book / other sundry duties.
After successful completion of QL 3 the MP is then able to take the QL 5 course the following summer at CFMPA. The QL 5 is particularly beneficial to the reservist whom wishes to be employed at a Regular Force Garrison Detachment. This course enables the reservist to work in the Security Operations Section within the Detachment, as this position does not need to be staffed by a "peace officer". The QL 5 subject matter encompasses the following:
Operations security / threats & countermeasures / physical security
Security violation report / security awareness program / security surveys / threat assessments
Reliability check / security clearance / personnel security / document security
Computer security - security infractions, breaches or malicious software, conduct an office security check and virus incident handling procedures.
Reserve Military Police NCMs and Officers are being deployed more then ever before. These volunteers take up to a year off from their civilian employment to help augment the Regular Force MP's in such operational theatres as Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
