Since our last submission in December, the members of the CFMPA enjoyed a nice long Christmas break and returned to their duties refreshed and ready for the commencement of another busy period.  

​10 Jan 2017, saw the intake of the new QL3 and MPOC courses.  Our newest members quickly started to find their step under the helpful guidance of their staff members.  As stated in our last submission we introduced the concept of both courses being mentored by a MP veteran, and we are happy to announce that Sgt (Retired) Ken Neilson is mentoring the QL3 platoon, which is now called “Neilson platoon”, and LCol (Retired) Paul Thobo-Carlsen (one of the CMPA's two Directors of History and Heritage) is mentoring the MPOC platoon, which is now the “Thobo-Carlsen platoon”.  Both veterans proudly accepted the roles and challenge, and we are extremely excited to see how this relationship will unfold.  The Academy staff and students welcome both of these extraordinary mentors to the team.

25 Jan 2017 was Bell Let’s Talk Day - Leveraging the technology available in the Colonel Stone Building, Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) staff and students were able to listen in to the CAF, Bell Let's Talk Panel discussion held at NDHQ on January 25, 2017. CFMPA is committed to helping the members of the CF MP Gp build their resiliency skills through the continued instruction and development of the Road to Mental Readiness for MP.

​Demolition has begun on the old CFMPA lines in Borden.  Moving forward!

​Our pace at the Academy is quickly picking up momentum.  Within the next few days we will be preparing for the QL5 graduation which will see 27 MP members proudly accept their certificates and new qualification on 10 Feb 2017, and return to their units to start mentoring those newer members; and of course happily commencing the paperwork to start receiving their specialist pay. 

20 Feb 2017, will see the kick off of our 6B course, this is an exciting course as we get to see our future Branch Leaders sitting in our class rooms, ready and eager to make changes for the better.  We as staff learn just as much from these folks as they do from us.

The Academy CWO will be calling to order an Academy History Board which will meet quarterly to discuss history projects and work on the capturing and sharing CFMPA and Branch History.  Sgt Beswick (the other half of the CMPA's History and Heritage team) will be the President and we will be looking for two veterans who would be interested in joining our team, and contribute to this new initiative.   If you feel that this is something that you are interested in, please forward your name to the Academy CWO through one of the following reps:  John Corbett; Wayne Kendell; Bob Thomas; or; Bob Smith.

This captures all that is going on at your CFMPA, the Home of The Branch!  Until next time,

Securitas

​Greetings, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Home of the Branch - the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy!

​Since our last submission, we have been extremely busy ensuring that we provide the best learning environment and instruction to our students.  The past four months has seen us graduate a Close Protection Officer Course (CPOC); Force Protection Officer Course (FPOC); QL5A Course; Military Police Investigators Course (MPIC); QL3 course; and hosted a Problem Based Learning (PBL) course at our new facility.

Photo above:   QL5 Course 1603, graduated on our first real snow storm of the season (9 Dec 2016) so we thought it would only be fitting to capture this as a class photo.  This course was the very first QL3 course that the Cmdt of the Academy (LCol Battista) had put through during his tenure as the CFMPA Cmdt.

​The CFMPA held the Red Beret ceremony on 12 Dec 16, and we were honoured to have MCpl Klein, (2 CER Petawawa) attend and read the poem “I wear the Red Beret”.  MCpl Klein is the author of the poem and wrote it upon the request of his brother Padre Klein after the death of Matt Dinning and Randy Payne.  The emotional delivery of the poem was truly felt by all and the staff and students were grateful for the opportunity to have him attend the event.  The Red Beret Ceremony also saw the return of two of our CWOs who had been selected for key appointments within the greater CAF.  CPO1 Syl Bolduc and CWO Necole Belanger attended the ceremony and assisted in presenting the red berets to the QL3 course.

​QL3 Course 1602, graduated on 13 Dec 2016.  This was the first graduation in the history of the branch where all elemental Commanders granted permission for the parading members and those MP in attendance to wear the red beret while dressed in parade dress (1As).  We had 79 proud young men and woman on parade; and all parade positions were filled by students.  The parade was quite remarkable and the students proudly represented in front of one of the largest contingents of family and friends the academy has witnessed (well over 350).

​Once the Christmas holidays are behind us the CFMPA will be in full swing once again.  Our next QL3 course will be significantly smaller in numbers with only one platoon.  Under a new initiative to strengthen the ties between students and veterans we are going to trial a mentorship program where the platoon will be named after a veteran.  The veteran selected will then attend the Academy approximately four times throughout the course and will sit and talk with the students for around 30 mins each visit.  We are also going to trial this for the MPOC course.  

​The names of the two veterans selected for the upcoming courses will be announced in the new year once we have notified them.  Should you be interested in taking on the role of a mentor for a future course please contact John Corbett, Bob Smith, Wayne Kendall; or Bob Thomas.  They will then send the names to the Academy for selection.

​On behalf of LCol Battista and all members of the CFMPA we wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy happy and prosperous New Year.

​Until next time,

​Securitas!

LCol Adam Battista, CWO Crystal Krammer, and all members of the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) would like to cordially invite all distinguished MP Veterans to a Day of Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, November 4, 2016.

This ceremony will bring the Staff and Students together with our Veterans and former members to pay their respects and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving with the C Pro C, RCAF Service Police, RCAF Police, RCN Shore Patrol, RCN Police, and Canadian Military Police. 
 
Those wishing to attend should arrive at 1015 hrs, 4 November 2016 at the main entrance of the Col Stone Building (538 Cambrai Rd, Borden Ontario) adjacent to the cenotaph.  Guests should be seated no later than 1040 hrs. There will be a seating area for honoured veterans and or former members not wishing or unable to parade.
 
After the ceremony, all attendees are invited to attend The Thunderbird Centre, inside the Col Stone Bldg to enjoy a warm snack and beverages with past colleagues, staff, and students.

On 27 May 2016, CFB Borden hosted Health and Fitness day at the Base.  Sponsored by Personnel Support Programs (PSP), the event was designed to raise awareness of the importance of health and fitness to the defence community.

One of the day's events was 4-hour spin class marathon; teams consisting of two members would take turns pedaling while attempting to obtain the highest caloric consumption.  Pictured here are Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) staff members Sgt Elton Adams (right) and Sgt Jamie Deslaurier (left), who came out on top as CFB Borden’s Health and Fitness Day MP Spin-a-Thon Champions!

​CFMPA Commandant LCol Adam Battista also competed in a competed in the “Borden’s Fittest Soldier” competition. LCol Battista is pictured carrying an 80 lb sand bag as part of a timed obstacle course involving rowing, tire flips, a sled push and drag, an agility run followed by wall jumps, a 40 lb medicine ball throw and several variations of weighted carries.

On the 22 Apr 2016, family, friends and co-worker attended the Remembrance Ceremony of Cpl Matthew Dinning and Cpl Randy Payne.  Sgt Dave Houthuyzen requested to be the OPI for the event and he did an outstanding job.  The day started at 0600 hrs, with the “Payne training”. Candidates from the MP QL3, MPOC and 6A joined their efforts with the staff to complete this intense PT session.  At 1500 hrs, a ceremony of life was conducted in Stewart Square in front of the Cenotaph.  This very emotional ceremony reunited several friends and family that hadn’t seen each other in years.  All guests were invited afterwards to the Thunderbird Center for refreshments and of course war stories.   BZ, Sgt Dave Houthuyzen, you did an amazing job!

On the 30 Apr 2016, CFMPA hosted the 1909 Collingwood OPP Army Cadet Corps for the day.  This annual event is led by the candidates in house demonstrated through several stations all type of aspect of the Military Police trade.  From crime scenes to driving simulator the future generation were all smiles throughout the day. 

On the 1st May 2016, at 0700 hrs CFMPA loaded a bus filled with candidates and staff to participate in the Ontario Police Memorial Fund parade.  Yes, it was rainy and cold; however, all staff and candidates proudly represented the Military Police.  Other police agencies from all over were present and Military Police veterans also participated.   Overall it was a great day and the candidates really enjoyed participating in this significant event. 

On the 7 May 2016, MPOC and MP QL3 0016 conducted a BBQ/ Car Wash at Sobeys in Angus.  In a 4 hrs period they raised an impressive $900.00 for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children.  Apparently the highlight of the day was to throw a bucket of water on the RSM after getting the blessing from his wife!!!

On the 17/18 May 2016, the Red Beret and Graduation parade were held for the MP QL3 1601.  For the first time, CFMPA held an outdoor parade on its ground, hosting over 250 guests and graduating 85 new MP.  Through a revised training schedule, CFMPA staff combined their efforts (as always), and provide the best training to form new MP ready and eager to serve their Branch and Country.    Guardhouses across Canada are extremely happy to receive so many new MP.  It should be noted that the 3 MP QL3 platoons combined forces with the MPOC course and raised over $8000.00 for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children in 4 ½ months.  Congratulation to all and good luck. 

As part of the commemoration events of CFB Borden centennial, military units from CFB Borden, the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, RCMP, OPP, City of Barrie Police, District E Legion, and Cadets will be participating in the unveiling of the Memorial Wall at the north entrance of CFB Borden. (10:40 seated VVIP arrival 10:50). ​

On a personal note, this will be my last SitRep that I will provide in favor of CFMPA.  It has been truly a privilege to be CSM and RSM for this unit for the past two years and I will never forget what was accomplished here during this time.   Thank you to the Chain of Command for their trust, thanks to the staff for their support and dedication and also a big thanks you to the veterans for your friendship and helped us doing some amazing events throughout the last two years.  New challenges are coming my way with the CFNIS HQ and I would like to wish all the best to CWO Crystal Krammer who will take over the Academy CWO and Branch Chief positions.

​On 26 May 2016, Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) will parade on the occasion of the change of appointment between the out-going RSM, MWO Denis Cournoyer, and CWO Crystal Krammer, the new RSM.

​The venue for this event will be the Colonel Stone Parade Square, located in front of the cenotaph (Bldg E-211, CFB Borden).

LCol Adam Battista,  CFMPA Commandant, will oversee this change of appointment ceremony. A reception/BBQ will be held at Thunderbird Center following the ceremony.

​All are welcome to attend.

​Sequence of events: