Military Police in Lithuania

Military Police (Lithuania)
Insignia
Active	22 October 1998 - present
Country	Lithuania
Branch	Military police
Type	Agency
Role	Law-enforcement
Part of	Lithuanian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Vilnius
Website	Link
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Colonel Ričardas Pocius
Chief of Staff	Major Vidmantas Žilakauskas
Command Sergeant Major	Senior Warrant Officer Vilius Januševičius
Insignia
Flag

Military Police (Lithuanian: Karo policija) is a law enforcement agency operating within the national defence system of the Republic of Lithuania and is a part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Military Police are directly subordinate to the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania. Main tasks of Military Police include preventing of crimes and other breaches of legal acts, investigating and disclosing offences, enforcing law and order in military territories and in the armed forces and ensuring the security of military traffic.

History

On 22 October 1998 in the Parliament of Lithuania the Military Police Law of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was adopted which served as a basis for the establishment of military police.
In 1999 Maj Dainius Janėnas was appointed as Commander of Military Police.
In 2000 Vilnius and Kaunas Garrisons were established, in 2001 - Klaipėda Garrison, in 2005 - Šiauliai Garrison were established.
In 2004 Lt Col Sigitas Butkus was appointed as Commander of Military Police.
On 22 October 2004 Military Police colours were adopted.

Mission

The Military Police Law outlines the Military Police's competence, functions and tasks as well as organizational procedures, rights and responsibilities of military policemen and relationship with other law enforcement institutions. Functions of Military Police include:

• Implementation of measures to prevent crimes and other breaches of legal acts;
• Recording and control of crimes and other violations of legal acts;
• Investigation of committed crimes and other breaches of legal acts.

Keeping with procedures outlined in legislation Military Police carries out search of soldiers suspected or accused in crimes and violations of other legal acts, deserted or missing soldiers as well as pretrial investigations in cases that are in the competence of Military Police under the legislation on penal process, in cases stipulated in legislation, carries out the orders of interrogators, prosecutors, judges and courts. Military Police maintains military discipline and order by patrolling, security of military transport, escorting of military transport convoys, as well as guarding of key military objects, guardhouses.^[1]

Lithuanian military policemen during exercises

Military policemen participate in multinational operations and exercises. They already participated in international missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, missions in Iraq, multinational exercises Amber Hope, Baltic Challenge, Baltic Eagle, Strong Resolve, Rescuer-Medceur, where they maintained security of military transport and public order. Any person serving in the National Defence System or having served in the compulsory military service, after passing an established selection process can be accepted to Military Police.

Units

Military Police carries out its functions in accordance with administrative division of the Republic of Lithuania:

• Military Police Staff;
• Vilnius Garrison - responsibilities include Vilnius and Utena districts;
• Kaunas Garrison - responsibilities include Kaunas, Marijampolė and Alytus districts;
• Klaipėda Garrison - responsibilities include Klaipėda, Tauragė and Telšiai districts;
• Šiauliai Garrison - responsibilities include Šiauliai and Panevėžys districts.

Other Units:

• Control group;
• HQ;
• Currier section;
• Support units.

References

As of this edit, this article uses content from "Military Police in Lithuania", which is licensed in a way that permits reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, but not under the GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.

1. ^ Lithuanian Military Police activity