Canadian Military Police Association
  • Home
  • News
  • About Us
    • Membership
    • Benefits
    • Constitution & By-laws
    • Departure Gift
    • Retirement Credentials
  • Media
    • Gallery 1 - Historical Photos
    • Gallery 2 - Badges/Identifiers
    • Thunderbird Journal
    • MP Branch Newsletter
  • MP History
    • Looking Back - Historical Articles
  • Memorial Roll
    • Criteria for Inclusion
  • Kit Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Us

Today in MP History

25/11/2018

0 Comments

 

​​25 November 1951

PicturePhoto: C Pro C Association
​​The 27th Brigade Provost Detachment was formed in Hanover, West Germany.  This unit would later be renamed No. 4 Provost Platoon in November 1958.  In 1968, the unit would undergo a 3rd name change – 4 MP Platoon and would remain in place until it was stood down in 1992 with the withdrawal of Canadian Forces from Europe.

​​The seven members of the Canadian Provost Corps shown in the above photograph are believed to have been serving in Germany in the Early fifties at the time the photo was taken.
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/9/2018

0 Comments

 

September 1982

Picture
The inaugural issue of "Thunderbird Journal" is published as an official periodical of the Security Branch.  The Thunderbird Journal would remain in print for nearly 16 years. 

You can catch up on back issues of Thunderbird Journal here on the CMPA website.

0 Comments

This Month in MP History

15/8/2018

0 Comments

 

August 1958

​10 Service Detention Barracks (SDB) moves to Edmonton from Calgary, while SDBs in Winnipeg and Esquimalt were closed.  A fourth, 14 SDB, remained open in Valcartier. 

10 SDB would later be disbanded and closed on 30 September 1968.  However, 14 SDB was eventually relocated to Edmonton, and on 1 August 1980, was renamed Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSPDB).  It remains in service to this day. 
Picture
An aerial view of the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSDB) in Edmonton, circa 2007. (Photo: Department of National Defence)
0 Comments

Today in MP History

17/7/2018

0 Comments

 

17 July 1974

​Cpl Farquharson and Cpl Worsnup of MP QL3 course 7403 become the first two female members of the Security Branch, and thus the first female MPs since unification.
Picture
Photo:  Canada. Department of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada
0 Comments

Historical Research: Seeking Info on Military Police and Security K9 Teams from 1972 to Present

29/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Military Police Dog Arras, CFB Trenton, circa 1989 (Source: Unknown)
​The CMPA’s co-Director of History and Heritage, LCol (Ret’d) Paul Thobo-Carlsen, is researching the history of CAF Military Police working dog programs from 1972 to present (after the RCAF Police Sentry Dog Program ended*) and is seeking relevant information and photos from anyone with knowledge of any of these locally-run K9 programs.
​To date, twelve MP handlers and eleven working dogs are known to have operated in support of MP operations from 1987 to present. These include:
  • Jacques Fortier and Arras (German Shepherd drug dog), CFB Trenton, circa 1987 to 91;
  • Paul Melanson and Baby (Rottweiler drug dog), CFB Gagetown, 1989 to 93;
  • Dave Balakowski [deceased] and Justice (German Shepherd drug dog), CFB Petawawa, circa 1990 to 93;
  • Ray McKenzie and Fudge (Border Collie, drug dog), CFB Lahr, circa 1990 to 92;
  • Hugh Devlin (1st handler), Bruce Mellor (2nd handler) and Hamilton (Labrador Retriever drug dog), CFB Baden-Soellingen, 1990 to 92;
  • Preston Mathews and Max (Golden Retriever drug dog), CFB Trenton, circa 1992;
  • Don MacLeod and Bubby (Belgian Malinois drug dog), CFB Shilo, 1997 to 2001;
  • Mario Fortier and Zento (German Shepherd, patrol/drug dog), CFB Edmonton, circa 1998 to 2000;
  • Dave Kimbers and Lahr (German Shepherd patrol/drug dog), CFB Halifax and 14 Wg Greenwood, 2006 to 11;
  • Bernie Parker and Roxy (Labrador Retriever drug dog), CFB Esquimalt, 2007 to 12; and
  • Justin Caron and Vimy (German Shepherd drug dog), CFB Halifax and CFB Petawawa, 2008 to present
Picture
Canadian civilian handler and security dog, CFB Lahr Ammunition Compound, 1991 (Source: Screenshot from Lahr Military Police Section video)
​Additionally, there were MP-supervised programs at CFBs Lahr and Baden-Soellingen in West Germany using civilian handlers and guard dogs to protect the base ammunition compounds.  These security dog programs included:

  • Contracted German armed security guards and dogs, CFB Lahr, circa 1975 to ?;
  • Canadian civilian (dependant) armed security guards and dogs, CFB Lahr, circa late 1980s/early 1990s; and
  • Contracted German armed security guards and dogs, CFB Baden-Soellingen, circa 1977 to 89.
​A significant amount of information is known about the three most recent MP K9 teams operating from 2006 onward.  However, much less is know about the earlier MP teams and the security dog programs in Germany.  
​Former supervisors or co-workers of dog handlers, or anyone with knowledge of one or more of these earlier programs, is requested to contact the CMPA.  Of particular interest are details on how these teams came into being, trained, operated and were supported at the MP unit and base levels.  Other historically relevant information includes photos of handlers and dogs, unit-level documentation (e.g. K9 SOPs, commendation letters, etc), newspaper articles related to MP K9 programs, stories about cases that K9 teams worked on, and amusing anecdotes.
​Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated to help shed light on an area of MP Branch history that has not been yet be well covered.
NOTE:  ​The recently published book by LCol (Ret’d’) A.J. Murtagh and Maj (Ret’d) A.W. Kendall (The History of the RCAF Police Sentry Dog Program: 1963-1972. Burnstown ON: Burnstown Publishing House, 2017) does an excellent job of telling the story of Canada’s only formal and sustained military working dog program.  If you're interested in purchasing a copy of this book, you can do so by visiting www.rcaf-sentrydogs.ca/order.html (website is not associated with the CMPA).
0 Comments

Trust Fund created for AFP/MP Sentry Dog and Nuclear Security exhibit at the National Air Force Museum of Canada

24/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
LAC Fred Davis and “Dole” patrolling a CF-104 dispersal area, 4 Wing Baden-Soellingen, circa 1965. Photo: DND
​The CMPA is working with the National Air Force Museum of Canada, at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton ON, to create a new exhibit showcasing the role of RCAF Air Force Police and CAF Military Police in securing the nuclear weapons used by Canada’s air force during the Cold War.
​The exhibit project lead is Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Paul Thobo-Carlsen, CMPA Co-Director of History & Heritage.  The project technical advisors are Major (Ret’d) Wayne Kendall, CMPA Director of Membership (Veterans) and a former AFP sentry dog handler, and Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Andy Murtagh, who organized and implemented the Sentry Dog Program while serving as a staff officer at RCAF 1 Air Division Headquarters, Metz, France.
​The exhibit will be implemented in two phases:
  • Phase 1, to be built in the next 12 months or so, will focus on the sentry dog program at Canada’s air bases in Germany (1963 to 1972) and will feature an AFP sentry dog/handler display (with full size mannequins and backdrop depicting a nuclear-armed CF-104 fighter-bomber in an alert area), along with accompanying storyboards and artifact display cases; and
  • Phase 2, to commence once the museum’s new expansion annex is completed in approximately 3-4 years, will see the display moved to the planned Cold War section and enlarged to showcase the wider role of AFPs and MPs in securing all air force nuclear weapon systems: the CF-104’s nuclear gravity bombs in Germany, and BOMARC nuclear surface-to-air missiles and Genie nuclear air-to-air rockets in Canada.
PicturePhoto: DND
​The National Air Force Museum of Canada has established a specific trust fund to collect the money necessary to create a professional looking exhibit.  The money collected in this trust fund will be used only to build and maintain the AFP/MP exhibit, and donors will be provided charitable donation receipts for tax purposes.

Donations to the trust fund may be made by cheque to the “National Air Force Museum of Canada.” Please ensure all cheques are clearly annotated with “Attn: Air Force Police Exhibit Trust Fund” to ensure they are appropriately directed.  Donation cheques should be mailed to:
  Executive Director
  National Air Force Museum of Canada
  220 RCAF Road
  Astra, ON
  K0K 3W0
Any former AFP or MP sentry dog handlers who wish to donate related artifacts in support of this exhibit should contact the CMPA (cmpa.apmc@gmail.com) with the details of all items for consideration.  Any artifacts subsequently accepted into the NAFMC collection will also be eligible for income tax receipts.
0 Comments

Today in MP History

15/6/2018

0 Comments

 
15 June 2015
The Military Police Branch celebrates its 75th Anniversary.  While celebratory events are held at locations throughout Canada, the centre of gravity was in Ottawa, where numerous events, including a Casino Night, Golf Day, the return of Thunderbird Challenge, and a Gala Dinner at the Canadian War Museum were held throughout the week to celebrate this auspicious anniversary. 
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/6/2018

0 Comments

 
​June 1976
The Security Branch flag was formally approved by the Chief of Defence Staff. 
Picture
0 Comments

MP Snapshots

11/11/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo: Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
​Peter and Marilyn Clark donate an original oil painting of Lieutenant Peter Seddon Oliver to the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy, Borden, ON, on August 2, 2017. 

Lieutenant Peter Oliver of the Canadian Provost Corps was killed on 19 August 1942 during the amphibious landing at Dieppe, France.  In honour of his sacrifice, the “Oliver Trophy” is awarded to the most outstanding MP QL3 candidate of every year.
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/11/2017

0 Comments

 

November 2007

PicturePhoto: DND
​Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CF MP Gp) was established, with Captain (Navy) Steve Moore, Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM), assuming command.

The CF MP Gp was established to group Military Police units that did not otherwise belong to the environmental commands (Army, Navy and Air Force) or operational commands (Canada Command, Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Canadian Operational Support Command, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command). 

This new CF Formation comprised the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), the Military Police Security Service (MPSS), the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSPDB), and Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA).

​
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/11/2017

0 Comments

 

November 2007

PicturePhoto: DND
​Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CF MP Gp) was established, with Captain (Navy) Steve Moore, Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM), assuming command.

The CF MP Gp was established to group Military Police units that did not otherwise belong to the environmental commands (Army, Navy and Air Force) or operational commands (Canada Command, Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, Canadian Operational Support Command, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command). 

This new CF Formation comprised the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), the Military Police Security Service (MPSS), the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSPDB), and Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA).

​
0 Comments

Canadian MP involved in 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis to Receive Posthumous Award

21/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
MWO Joss Labelle presenting a “Thunderbird Remembrance Day – Lest we Forget” memento to WO Claude Gauthier prior to his passing.
WO Claude Gauthier, MMM CD, will be posthumously awarded the Quebec Medal of the National Assembly in recognition of his contribution during the Tehran hostage taking incident of 1979.  Canadian embassy staff, including MP security guards, were instrumental in the safe passage and repatriation of several American Embassy personnel.
​The medal will be presented to Claude’s widow, Murielle Moreau, on by members of the Quebec National Assembly at the Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre in Montreal on 13 November 2017.  A delegation of Canadian UN veterans will take part. 
0 Comments

Today in MP History

1/10/2017

0 Comments

 

1 October 1982

Picture
The Security Branch is re-dedicated by the Chief of Defence Staff as a separate and distinct organization within the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Prior to this date, Military Police and Intelligence shared the same Branch.

0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/9/2017

0 Comments

 

September 1940

The first Canadian Provost Corps (C Pro C) training depot was formed in Aldershot, U.K. 

​Over a six-week period, transferees from other Canadian army corps were trained in motorcycle riding, military law, report writing, traffic control, map and compass, and police procedures.
Picture
Members of No.1 Provost Company (RCMP) undergoing training at Camp Aldershot are inspected by Superintendent W. R. Day, Company OC, and Company Sergeant-Major, George W. Ball. (Photo: National Archives of Canada)
0 Comments

Today in MP History

18/8/2017

0 Comments

 

18 August 1942

Picture
​41 members of No. 2 Provost Company participate in a raid on Dieppe, France. 

18 Military Police were taken prisoner of war by German forces during the raid, and one, Lieutenant Peter Oliver, was killed in action on 19 August 1942.  ​In honour of his sacrifice, the “Oliver Trophy” is awarded to the most outstanding MP QL3 candidate of every year.

0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/8/2017

0 Comments

 

August 2001

The MP Branch takes a massive step towards data automation as the first operational Security and Military Police Information System (SAMPIS) terminals begin rolling out to MP at CFSU (Ottawa), CFNIS, and CFPM HQ.  A training system is also deployed to CFMPA. 

​This initial deployment would last until September 2001.  SAMPIS would continue to roll out to all remaining MP units between September 2001 and July 2003.
Picture
Lieutenant Colonel Shelley Carey cutting the ribbon on the inaugural SAMPIS terminal at National Defence Headquarters in 2001. (Photo: Canadian Forces / Department of National Defence)
0 Comments

Today in MP History

15/7/2017

0 Comments

 

15 July 1986

A contingent from 4 MP Platoon (CFB Lahr, Germany) becomes the first Canadian MP team to participate in the annual Nijmegen March in the Netherlands.  This event, which was initiated in 1909, has seen Canadian involvement since 1952.  Canada sends teams every year to commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands by Allied Forces during WW II.
Picture
Photo:  Shawn Doolan
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

10/7/2017

0 Comments

 

July 1989

Corporal Eleanor Hodder is posted to Military Security Guard Unit (MSGU) London, England, making her the first female in MP Branch history to serve at an Embassy. 
Picture
Canadian Embassy, London, UK
Photo:  Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 
0 Comments

Today in MP History

24/6/2017

0 Comments

 
​24 June 1996
The 3rd annual Thunderbird Challenge competition commenced at 17 Wing Winnipeg.  MP from all Air Command bases competed in several combat-themed events over the course of 4 days.

Thunderbird Challenge was an annual event that ran from 1993 - 1999 in Winnipeg.  Over the years, MP from across the Branch competed against each other in pistol, rifle, and physical fitness events.  Not only did this event demonstrate the capabilities of our members, it forged lasting bonds of camaraderie and esprit de corps.

Although Thunderbird Challenge came to an end in 1999, a special one-time only version of the competition was held in Ottawa in 2015 as part of the MP Branch's 75th Anniversary.
Picture
Cpl Darrin Murphy of 17 Wing Winnipeg negotiates the obstacle course during the Fitness Challenge competition at Thunderbird Challenge. (Photo: DND)
0 Comments

This Month in MP History

1/6/2017

0 Comments

 
June 1946
Changes are made to the King’s Rules and Regulations to ensure the collective jurisdiction of all the service Policing groups over members of the Canadian Army, RCN, and RCAF.  Before this change was made, Military Police from the three services faced a variety of complex jurisdictional restrictions when dealing with persons from outside their services.
Picture
Bill Martin, a member of the Canadian Provost Corps, in Europe, 1944. (Photo: Unknown / Canadian Provost Corps Association)
0 Comments

Legends of the Thunderbird #9

1/5/2017

0 Comments

 
(Note:  This post constitutes our final "Legend of the Thunderbird")
Picture"Thunderbird and Sculpin", Trevor Hunt, 2009. Image: Cedar Hill Long House (www.cedarhilllonghouse.ca)
​“Once, there was a sea monster which greatly troubled the Nootka, for it would wait at the mouth of the river for children to swim when it would catch and eat them.  The Nootka did not know what to do for their children had to learn to swim if they were to catch Whale.  So they asked Thunderbird and he told them to make belts of the whale skin and put it on a brave child.  This child had then to swim out towards the sea monster and when he was swallowed, to shout “snake in belly” when the belt would kill the sea monster.  “For” said Thunderbird, “I have turned the magic of the double-headed serpent into the skin of the whale and it shall turn the poison against the sea monster”.  From that day on, the children of this child that slew the sea monster bore the crest of Thunderbird upon their canoes and his image shows where the shores are safe to the Nootka, to this day”.

  • A Nootka Tale
(As published in The Thunderbird Journal, Winter 1984)
0 Comments

Legends of the Thunderbird #8

1/4/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture"Thunderbird and Whale", Tony Hunt Jr, 2001. Image: Cedar Hill Long House (www.cedarhilllonghouse.ca)
​“When the Sun has his longest trail to cover, then must we consider what we must do to prepare to put out to sea and hunt whale.  At these times do we rejoice as sons of Thunderbird, that we can come together and talk of these things and seek his counsel.  For he is wise and has hunted whale since before the world began and is able to kill the double-headed serpent who can turn canoes to stone so that they sink.  Then at the end of this counsel shall be a great Potlatch and a great giving of gifts and shall each chief give all his substance so that none invited are offended by a small gift.  For from the wisdom of Thunderbird, shall we go out on the great waters and bring back whale, whose skin shall be made into a belt and whose flesh shall make us rich and whose bone shall be our treasure”.

  • A Nootka Tale
(As published in The Thunderbird Journal, Fall 1984)
0 Comments

Today in MP History

1/4/2017

0 Comments

 
1 April 2011:  The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM), Colonel Tim Grubb, assumed full command of all MP who are directly involved in policing duties with the formation of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CF MP Gp).

Under this new structure, Military Police environmental and operational command policing assets were placed under the full command of the CFPM, who now had the dual role of CF MP Gp Commander.  ​The Military Police Security Service (MPSS) and the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSPDB) were made part of the MP Services Group, while the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) and Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) remained directly under the CF MP Gp structure.

Picture
(L to R): LCol Gilles Sansterre, Col Tim Grubb, and LCol Rob Delaney at the ceremony acknowledging the new CF MP Gp command structure.
0 Comments

Legends of the Thunderbird #6

1/3/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture"Thunderbird and Split Killerwhale", Mark Henderson, 1977. Image: Coghlan Art (www.coghlanart.com)
​“The Mink is the son of the Sun and lives at Qalogwis.  He is foolish, amorous and full of curiosity.  He killed his friend Land Otter because he coveted his wife and Frog-Woman disliked him because he has a long face, small eyes and smells.  He is very greedy and fond of sea eggs.  He steals clams from the houses of the women by the shore and when they complain, he turns them into starfish.  Yes, Mink is greedy and covetous, but most of all he is foolish.  One day he thought he would carry the Sun in his father’s place.  So, arising early and before his father, he took the shining ball out to make the day, but he could not carry it and dropped it on the earth between Bella-Bella and Bella Coola where it set the forests on fire.  Then were all men and animals greatly afraid for they thought the whole world would burn.  They called out to Thunderbird who sent Tsona, his cousin.  He put on his magic garment and there was thunder, lightning and a great hailstorm which out the fire.  Even today, when the forests burn, Thunderbird will protect his people and spread his cloak and bring the rain.  For his cloak is the clouds, which bring the rain in season”.

  • Old Tsimshian Legend
(As published in The Thunderbird Journal, Spring 1984)
0 Comments

Legends of the Thunderbird #5

1/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture"Thunderbird Totem", Henry Hunt, 1969. Photo: Pegasus Gallery (www.pegasusgallery.ca/artist/Henry_Hunt.html)
​“There once was a woman named Gauo who had four grandsons.  Each of these grandsons began one of the four great Tsimshian tribes that we know today and men have wondered why they should have done so and where they received their crests of the Thunderbird as Thunderbird-World-Shaker, Thunderbird-Whale-Killer, Thunderbird-at-End-of-World and Thunderbird-Spirit-Corner.  This came to pass when Gauo’s father could find no husband for her and he call all men and leaders of the animals about him.  One by one he asked the men to marry his daughter but they would not.  Then he went to more and more powerful animals, each of whom told him what they could do, but would not marry his daughter.  Finally, a stroke of lightning came down from heaven and Thunderbird appeared in the guise of the handsomest and strongest of men and he took Gauo with him to heaven and they had many children.  But Gauo wished her kind to return to earth so she besought Thunderbird who permitted four grand-sons to return and these are the forebears of the Tsimshian today”.

  • Old Tsimshian Legend
​(As published in The Thunderbird Journal, Winter 1983)
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All
    Branch News
    CFMPA SITREP
    Committee News
    Defence News
    Events
    In Memoriam
    Job Opportunities
    Legends Of The Thunderbird
    Membership Benefits
    Merchandise
    MP History
    MP Snapshots
    Site News
    Veterans


    RSS Feed


Copyright © 2023, Canadian Military Police Association. All Rights Reserved.
​Droit d'auteur © 2023, Association de la police militaire canadienne. Tous droits réservés.
  • Home
  • News
  • About Us
    • Membership
    • Benefits
    • Constitution & By-laws
    • Departure Gift
    • Retirement Credentials
  • Media
    • Gallery 1 - Historical Photos
    • Gallery 2 - Badges/Identifiers
    • Thunderbird Journal
    • MP Branch Newsletter
  • MP History
    • Looking Back - Historical Articles
  • Memorial Roll
    • Criteria for Inclusion
  • Kit Shop
  • Links
  • Contact Us