military police
B2formal, technical
Definition
Meaning
A service within an armed force responsible for maintaining order, discipline, and security among military personnel and on military property.
A corps of soldiers who perform law enforcement and disciplinary duties within the armed forces. They may also operate in civilian areas during martial law or occupation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the institution/body, not an individual member (who is a 'military policeman' or 'MP'). Often conceptualized as the army's internal police force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'military police' (MPs). The US more commonly uses the abbreviation 'MP' for an individual member. The UK historically used 'Redcaps' informally, referring to their red-topped caps or berets. The UK's Royal Military Police (RMP) is the specific corps.
Connotations
Generally neutral. Can carry connotations of strict discipline, authority, and internal investigation within the military context.
Frequency
Term is standard and common in both. 'MP' as shorthand is more frequent in US media and speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [SUBJECT] was arrested by the military police.The military police [VERB: investigated, detained, patrolled] the incident.He joined the military police.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Join the Redcaps (UK informal)”
- “Play MPs and robbers (military humour)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contracts for security services.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and military studies texts.
Everyday
Used in news reports, historical dramas, or when discussing military matters.
Technical
Core term in military manuals, law, and regulations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sergeant was military-policed for being out of bounds.
- They decided to military-police the checkpoint.
American English
- The private got MP'd for the bar fight.
- The base commander ordered the area to be MP'd immediately.
adverb
British English
- The camp was run very military-police style.
American English
- The operation proceeded MP-fast.
adjective
British English
- He faced a military-police tribunal.
- The military-police vehicle was clearly marked.
American English
- It was an MP investigation.
- He was placed in an MP holding cell.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The military police help soldiers.
- They wear a different uniform.
- The soldier was late and the military police gave him a report.
- If you have a problem on the base, you can go to the military police.
- After the fight in the mess hall, the military police were called to restore order.
- The investigation into the missing equipment was handled by the military police, not the local authorities.
- The jurisdictional boundaries between the civilian police and the military police can be a complex legal matter, especially near bases.
- The efficacy of the military police unit was crucial in maintaining discipline during the protracted deployment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The police FOR the military, not OF the military (though they are soldiers). They police the barracks, not the borough.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MILITARY IS A STATE (with its own internal police force). DISCIPLINE IS LAW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'военная полиция' as it is a modern term; 'военная жандармерия' or 'комендантская команда' are more historical. The standard Soviet/Russian term was 'военная комендатура' or 'комендатурская служба'. The function is similar, but the institutional names differ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'military police' as a plural for a single person (e.g., 'He is a military police' - incorrect). Correct: 'He is in the military police' or 'He is a military policeman/MP'.
- Confusing with 'militarized police' (civilian police with military equipment/training).
Practice
Quiz
In informal British usage, what might 'Redcaps' refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually treated as a singular collective noun when referring to the institution (The military police is investigating). It is plural when referring to its members (The military police are searching the compound).
Shore patrol (SP) is a specific, temporary duty performed by naval personnel (which can include naval MPs) to maintain order among sailors on leave in port cities. Military police is the permanent, institutional law enforcement body.
Typically, their primary jurisdiction is over military personnel and property. However, under certain conditions like martial law, on a military base, or when a crime involves both military and civilian parties, they may detain civilians, often handing them over to civilian authorities.
It stands for 'Military Police'. A soldier wearing an 'MP' brassard, tab, or helmet marking is a member of the military police performing that duty.
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