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The Austrian Military Police (German: Kommando Militärstreife & Militärpolizei (Kdo MilStrf&MP)) is the branch within the Austrian Armed Forces tasked with law enforcement and the protection of the forces, military events and Austrian Armed Forces property. The increasing number of international operations with the participation of Austrian soldiers and new threat scenarios hugely expand the spectrum of tasks.
Contents
Military Police Command
The Austrian MP Command, located in Vienna, consists of the following elements
MP Companies / Locations
One MP HQ in Vienna, one in Graz and one in Salzburg, each composed of the following elements
Tasks
Additionally to its traditional domestic tasks, the formation now also fulfills tasks in international operations. In Austria the Military Police is only tasked with internal Armed Forces matters Abroad, the Military Police is tasked with extensive assignments. It closes the security gap between a conflict that has ended and a functioning society. A large number of experienced specialists and modern equipment are required to meet these demanding tasks.
National tasks
International tasks
Until national police units have been formed, the Military Police is responsible for all tasks which have to be fulfilled by law-enforcement agencies. These tasks are highly diverse and in every field require the employment of specialists with modern equipment.
Requirements
Selection
Professional and militia officers and non-commissioned officers take precedence. (International) experience in command functions of combat units is an advantage. The MP selection procedure can, however, already be undergone after the corporals' course. It is not before the second semester of the NCO training course, though, that the actual training to become a member of the Military Police begins. During the MP selection procedure, the candidates' psychological robustness is especially tested, besides general fitness and the ability to work in a team.
Training
Before admission to the MP selection course, every candidate has successfully to complete basic training 1, 2 and 3 as well as the corporals' course. Having passed the selection course, the candidate is admitted to the first semester of the NCO training course at the NCO Academy. During the second semester the candidate starts MP basic training at the Training Division of the Military Police Command in Vienna, after the successful completion of which s/he becomes a member of the MP.
Basic MP training
Special training
Basic MP training is followed by special MP training, in which MP members are trained in the task areas they are earmarked for.
Parts of the training take place in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the HQ Commandos.
Missions
The Austrian MP participates in the current mission of the Austrian Armed Forces
The MP-Command also holds a unit in readiness so that they can accomplish emerging missions worldwide at any time. Such missions could be Close-Protection missions or the evacuation EU citizens.