Military Police Official

The main functions of the Military Police Division (MPD) is to provide policing within the South African National Defence force (SANDF) and to the general public by executing a variety of duties, including patrolling, arresting individuals suspected of committing crimes and testifying in court. Military police officials play a central role in the criminal justice system. They monitor criminal activity, take part in community patrols, respond to emergency calls, make arrests, investigate crimes, etc. whereby providing efficient service to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as well as national and international societies. The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Military Police Official. A Military Police Official provides military policing support to the armed forces and military community in peace time as well as during military operations. A qualified learner will be able to: • Provide support to armed forces in peace time and during military operations providing protection and mobility. • Apply principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) according to the Geneva Convention and of the UN, AU and African Charters to protect human life as well as human rights during peace support operations. • Apply the principles of operation and service delivery within a Client Service Centre in a military policing environment and during military operations. • Conduct crime prevention and detection duties in accordance with military policing principles. • Evaluate situations and select the tactical techniques and skills needed to execute policing duties and maintain safety of self and others. • Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation by gathering information and evidence, preparing documentation and giving evidence in a court of law.

The Military Police operate under various forms of legislation, including Defence Act, Military Disciplinary Code and International Military Law as well as the international United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Charters. They play a key role in the safety of the South African society as well as the international community. They fulfil a dual role: enforcing law and order during peace time as well as during conventional warfare, and are deployed at national and international levels. Military police officials provide mobility support operations moving the Force safely during wartime, area/site security and response operations, national and international law enforcement functions, internment/resettlement operations (military prisoners and prisoners of war) and international peace support operations. To achieve this, the South African Military Police Division needs officials who have embraced the culture of discipline, ethics and service provision and who are combat ready, aware and vigilant during day-to-day duties and who set a standard of professionalism. The aim of this qualification is to inculcate such organisational and personal ethics, values and professional conduct, ensuring the execution of crime prevention and detection duties in an endeavour to provide efficient service delivery to the military as well as international communities within which they operate. The South African Military Police Division is the only employer of learners who successfully complete this qualification. Competent learners will be appointed by the Provost Marshal General as per appointment card to maintain the peace, safety, and order of the military community and general public. Competent learners will be deployed across South Africa, including military and joint support operations in rural as well as urban areas, at the boarders of the country and internationally. Various organisations in the law enforcement environment were consulted, including Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South African Police Service (SAPS) and Correctional Services. Internal consultation included legal services, 7 Medical Battalion and the Logistical Division. Typical learners are recruits who completed Basic Military Training in the various Arms of Services. This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of the law enforcement sector that are expressed by employers and employees, both for current and future purposes. It provides the learner with competencies to be employed within the society, with specific reference to a law enforcement environment and provides the flexibility to pursue different careers in the broader military policing environment. Various specialisation options are available as a next step in the career path of Military Police.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 4 qualification with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

• Balance regulatory framework and legal rights of individuals with the competence to legally infringe upon those rights in the service of maintaining a safe and secure society, nationally and internationally.
• Apply principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) according to the Geneva Convention and of the UN, AU and African Charters to protect human life as well as human rights during wartime and peacetime.
• Provide deployment and protection to armed forces according to the prescripts of the Military Police Doctrine by identifying, analysing and solving problems appropriate to battlefield conditions during conventional warfare.
• Apply the principles of operation, service delivery, ethics and professional conduct within a Client Service Centre (CSC) in a military policing environment to enhance service delivery to the local and international military community and general public.
• Execute crime prevention and crime detection duties according to the principles of policing and International Humanitarian Law.
• Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation as first responder to a crime scene by gathering information and securing the crime scene as well as potential evidence.
• Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation as first responder to a crime scene by gathering information and securing the crime scene as well as potential evidence.
• Apply legislation pertaining to the controlling of traffic during peacetime and wartime.