Latvian Military Police ( lv, Militārā Policija, MP) provide military
discipline
Discipline refers to rule following behavior, to regulate, order, control and authority. It may also refer to punishment. Discipline is used to create habits, routines, and automatic mechanisms such as blind obedience. It may be inflicted on ot ...
and legal order in the
National Armed Forces of Latvia. They were established in 1997. After merging with the
Latvian Security Service in 2009, the Military Police is also responsible for security of the
Parliament
In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
and the
President of Latvia
The president of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Valsts prezidents ) is head of state and commander-in-chief of the Latvian National Armed Forces, National Armed Forces of the Latvia, Republic of Latvia.
The term of office is four years. Before 1999, it w ...
.
Mission
The
Military Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
carries out military discipline and ensuring lawful provision functions with the right to perform investigations and operational activities, and prepares Military Police units for their deployment to international missions. It safeguards
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
and
strategically important sites, provides
escort and security of military transport columns, military cargoes, as well as of state and foreign officials. The Military Police provides for the exchange of classified materials between the state institutions of Latvia, institutions of
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
member states and other competent foreign institutions.
The main mission of the Military Police is to:
*Assist in the provision of security during military events and provide military discipline, law and order;
*Guard objects as ordered by the NAF Commander;
*Control military traffic, escort officials and guard military cargo.
Cooperation
One of their priorities is to establish an MP unit for participation in
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
-led international operations. MP soldiers have participated in the peacekeeping mission in
Kosovo
Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
since 1999. In addition, the first MP unit was deployed in
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
in 2003. MP soldiers are always well-prepared for their work on these missions, thus their input is always highly appreciated.
References
External links
Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia
{{Military of Latvia
Military of Latvia
Law enforcement agencies of Latvia
Military units and formations established in 1997