Military Police on Town Patrol US Army Documentary 1955

This dramatized documentary film – originally titled as "Military Police (MP) Town Patrol" – is an episode of the U.S. Army's "The Big Picture" television series. It was officially released in 1955.

The film describes military police methods during town patrol. It shows how the Army's colorful MPs protect our soldiers by guarding and guiding them.

The scenes were shot on the streets of Augusta, Georgia, in June 1954. The taller MP looks like a young Bradford Dillman, the other one is probably Paul Burke.

BACKGROUND / CONTEXT

Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. Military police protect the lives and property of military installations. They enforce military laws and regulations and operate similar to a civilian police officer – only they are on a military base. Each branch of the Armed Forces of the United States (US Army, US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard) maintains its own police force.

Job Description:
The five main functions of military police officers are reconnaissance and surveillance, site security and response, law enforcement, internment operations and police intelligence. Military police are utilized in all branches of the military and may be used during offensive, defensive, civil support and stability operations. When a police officer retires from the military, he can pursue a career as a civilian police officer, private investigator, detective, corrections officer or bail enforcement agency.

Duties:
Officers of the military police lead small police units on installations and advise reservists and National Guard police units. During a military installation, military police monitor the gate and entrance activities, control traffic and respond to emergencies on the base. In some instances, they investigate crimes and guard inmates within military correctional facilities. While some military police officers start their careers on a base, others start during deployment. They supervise mobility operations and provide area security in conjunction with the local police force if necessary.

Job Training:
Individuals who want to become military police officers must complete basic training before job-specific training is introduced. They learn the fundamental rules and regulations of their selected military branch as well as security and law enforcement through the military branch’s schooling system. On-the-job training is often part of this process.

Military Police on Town Patrol | US Army Documentary | 1955

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NOTE: THE VIDEO REPRESENTS HISTORY. SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED DECADES AGO, IT HAS HISTORICAL VALUES AND CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A VALUABLE HISTORICAL DOCUMENT. THE VIDEO HAS BEEN UPLOADED WITH EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. ITS TOPIC IS REPRESENTED WITHIN CONTEXT. THE VIDEO DOES NOT CONTAIN SENSITIVE SCENES AT ALL!

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