NATO MILITARY POLICE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

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Events
in October 2017

The 5th NATO Military Police Junior Officer Course (MPJOC17) 25-29 October 2017

Start 25 Oct 2017 08:00
End 29 Oct 2017 16:00

On 25-29 October 2017, the NATO MP COE held the fifth edition of the MPJOC. During the event, representatives of 16 countries (in total 26 students) had an opportunity not only to gain theoretical knowledge, but also to practise their newly acquired skills during intensive small group works.

The attendees of the MPJOC17 had a unique possibility to contribute in practice not only to the improvement of education and training among Military Police personnel, in particular in the area of operational force deployment and in-theatre interoperability, but also to foster multinational cooperation within and among the worldwide MP family. The aim of the MPJOC17 was successfully achieved. 

on October 2017
The main efforts were put on providing initial knowledge focusing on issues of the multinational military cooperation in order to develop a common understanding of differences in capabilities and national cultures, therefore enhancing Military Police interoperability in NATO and NATO-led operations.
One of the guest speakers, OF-4 Gozdziewicz from the Joint Force Training Centre (JFTC), familiarised the participants with law regulations applied within NATO. Command and responsibility were also mentioned during the speech (use of force). The lecture was very helpful to understand the law process, for instance, the formal consent of the legitimate receiving authority, “what is needed to allow foreign military presence” was explained as well. He emphasised the basic rules of using force in wartime (key issue here – humanity, distinction, proportionality, military necessity) and underlined differences between the peacetime (main effort was put on the Rules of Engagement – ROE) and wartime. It was explained what self-defence is, what the ROEs are, where and when the force can be used (North Atlantic Council, national caveats, the purpose of ROE in operations), against whom and several additional crucial issues were also provided. The main focus was on the military issues. The attendees of the MPOC17 were familiarised with the ADL courses, their role, quality, quantity ant their value. Not only were the MP COE’s ADL courses mentioned, but the NATO’s, too.

The OPR for the course emphasised at the beginning of the course that he pinned huge hope on the MPJOC’s students. “You are the NATO MP FUTURE” he said. And after the course, during the Closing Ceremony, he confirmed those words. But he also added that was a really mesmerising course from his and facilitators’ perspective. Everyone was seriously engaged in the course activities. He mentioned that we (MPs) ought to remember that as policemen we have to remember about the facts. Our plan is to transfer unacceptable conditions into acceptable ones.
Thanks to a guest speaker from the Stability Policing Centre of Excellence (SP COE), the students had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the basic information linked to stability policing, for instance, what that is for or the knowledge connected with the Rules of Law (focused on local population). He underlined differences between Stability Policing and Security Force Assistance, he emphasised article 5 and non-article 5 in the SP NATO operations. All vital information was provided when he was talking about SP.
OF-3 Grzybowski from the NATO MP COE explained the role of ATP 3.2.3.3 and he emphasised that in that publication we can find the full description of measures to be taken. We ought to follow STANAGs, AJPs and other NATO publications. It is crucial in our daily duty work. The NATO core tasks were mentioned, e.g. collective defence, crisis management, cooperative security. Maj familiarised the students with knowledge connected with interoperability components, what the NATO standardisation is. He explained what the process of implementing a new definement looks like. The attendees gathered knowledge why they need doctrine.
Thanks to the MPJOC17, the students had a unique opportunity to familiarise with the NATO’s MP structures and main tasks of NATO.
The functional differences between the ACO (Allied Command Operations) and ACT (Allied Command Transformation) were shown, too. The role of SACEUR (Supreme Allied Commander Europe), ACO and Provost Marshal’s organisations were emphasised.
It was really a amazing and fascinating course. Probably one of the best courses, the students have ever participated in.
The course provided students with an introduction to MP functions and activities in order to develop a common comprehension of national capabilities, and showed how to best integrate them in support of multinational operations within the wider context of NATO and international community.
If you did not have an opportunity to participate in it – do not forget to register for it next year!
The NATO MP COE and the OPR for the MPJOC17 would like to thank the students, facilitators, lecturers and guest speakers for all engagement and keep smiling all the time!!!