STANAG APP-12
The aim of Allied Procedural Publication 12 is to:
Set out the principles
relating to the establishment and functions of NATO MP acting on behalf of the commander appointed within NATO, when formations of one or more NATO forces are stationed or moving on operational territory. In the context of this APP the term
NATO MP may include forces composed of NATO, non-NATO or PfP nations.
Standardise doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures
to be used by NATO MP during NATO operations in the areas of:
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Investigations.
Traffic control.
Law enforcement.
Area security.
Prisoner of War (EPW) operations.
NATO Military Police specialised unit operations.
NATO Military Police intelligence operations (MPIO).
NATO Military Police standardised reports .
Provide staff guidance
on the employment of MP in NATO Combined and Joint
Operations.
Route Recon & Surveillance
– Reconnaissance along a specific route, to provide new or updated information on route conditions and activities along the route, or the reconnaissance of new or proposed routes.
Route Signing
- Emplacement of a route signing system on designated military routes
Route Enforcement
- The physical control of movement and flow of traffic along designated route. Which is subject to movement restrictions.
Convoy Escorts
- Escorting special convoys for movement support and/or security.
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STANAG APP-12
Heavy Equipment Escort
- Escorting heavy equipment transports from initial point to release point to implement requirements of the competent traffic authorities and to alert remaining traffic in time.
Straggler Control
- MP will provide the focal point in the efforts to locate, collect and arrange for return of stragglers to proper national control as soon as possible
Refugee Control
- Controlling movement of refugees through direction of their movement. capability includes reporting of refugees information to appropriate authority and liaison with
HN/Refugee Agencies.
Refugee Advice
- Provision of security, movement and police advice on administration of a refugee collection point/camp.
Intelligence Collecting/Reporting
- This is a continuous process involving collection and reporting of information on all activities that may affect military operations within an area of operation. MP s are best placed to provide this capability in the area of, or along, routes.
Information Dissemination
- Passage of advice and information including troop location, road condition, enemy activity or other hazards to friendly forces.
Host Nation Liaison
- Continuous process involving co-ordination with HN authorities, in particular emergency services.
Point of Entry Operations
- Providing special advice and assistance at points of entry, including the provision of customs control and security of restricted areas. Prevent the illegal movement of contraband.
Traffic Accident Investigations
- Investigations of traffic accidents as a first means to secure data and the site of the accident, including all measures to provide security at the site of the accident and first aid.maintained.
Law Enforcement
- Maintenance of good order and discipline through enforcement of military laws and, as appropriate, civil laws over military personnel and in certain legal conditions over civilian personnel assigned to the Force.
Criminal Investigation
- Investigation of military or civilian offences committed by or against a member of the Force or any other special circumstances requiring further inquiry.
Confinement Operations
- Provision of detention facilities for members of the military forces or components thereof.
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STANAG APP-12
Traffic Investigation
- Investigation and reporting of traffic accidents/incidents to determine the cause and fault to assist the judicial procedure and claims made against the Force.
Terrorism Counteraction
- Use of both reactive and offensive actions to defeat terrorist operations. Includes investigations, intelligence gathering, defensive searches, access control to vulnerable targets, raids and rescues.
Patrol Dogs
- MP working dog team used in one of the following roles:
 General patrol operations (e.g. seek individuals, crowd control, hold & restrain suspect)
 Arms and explosives Searches
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Narcotics searches
 Guard/Sentry duties
 Rescue/Recovery duties
War Crimes Investigation
- Investigation of crimes against humanity or crimes committed in violation of laws of armed conflict. This could include the apprehension and detention of persons indicted for war crimes.
Information Dissemination
Information Dissemination consists of the passage of information including troop locations, road conditions, enemy activity, NBC information and other hazards to friendly forces.
Area Reconnaissance & Security
Area Reconnaissance. NATO MP perform reconnaissance functions throughout their area of responsibility to obtain detailed information concerning terrain and enemy activity.
Area Security consists of those measures necessary to protect the Force and enhance unit freedom to conduct missions. NATO MP may contribute to area security missions, which include security of equipment, facilities and critical points.
NATO MP Intelligence Operations (MPIO) (Information Dissemination)
MPIO consists of those measures to collect, analyse and disseminate information and intelligence resulting from criminal activities, law enforcement, security operations, incidents that disrupt law and order and other operations.
MP intelligence developed and utilised by the NATO MP is divided into Criminal and
Operational Intelligence
Security Of Critical Facilities/Areas
This involves the security of key personnel and controlling access to critical facilities. In securing facilities, NATO MP normally operate a mobile security screen. This stand off protection detects and defends against the threat before it can move within direct fire range of facilities.
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STANAG APP-12
Physical security prevents unauthorised access to equipment, facilities, material and information as well as protecting against espionage, terrorism, sabotage, damage, misuse and threat.
Secure Special Loads (Intransit Security)
All commanders are required to take appropriate measures to prevent loss and compromise of arms, ammunition and explosives
(AA&E), high value, sensitive, or classified cargo during unit deployments and redeployments
(movements).
Secure Special Loads
- Security provided for special loads or equipment.
Base Response Force
- Reaction Force that responds to assist a base in defeating an enemy attack. It is best to keep NATO MP mobile, acting as eyes and ears for the commander. In defence, they are most likely employed in circulation control and area security missions.
Counter Incursion Operations
- Use of an appropriate force level to delay or defeat enemy activity in the rear area.
Terrorism Counteraction
- Use of both reactive and offensive actions to attempt to destroy terrorist operations. Includes investigations, intelligence gathering, defensive search, control and restriction of access to vulnerable targets, raids and rescues.
NATO MP conduct counter-terrorism operations to maintain control in areas vulnerable to terrorist actions. Anti-terrorist and counter-terrorist measures may include assessing installation vulnerabilities, developing procedures to detect terrorist actions before they occur, hardening likely targets and taking offensive actions to destroy terrorist elements when necessary. NATO MP may be tasked to provide VIP protection to key personnel to prevent terrorist actions.
Force Protection Operations. Commanders attempt to accomplish missions with minimal loss of personnel, equipment and supplies by integrating force protection considerations into all aspects of operational planning. Protection of the Force involves the following:
 Operations Security ( OPSEC ).
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Communications Security ( COMSEC ), Signal Security ( SIGSEC ), Information Security
( INFOSEC ), Computer Security ( COMPSEC ).
 Maintenance of neutrality.
 Protection of sites, accommodations and defensive positions, access and egress controls
(roadblocks/defiles, etc).
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Active and passive security measures (to include those embedded in combating terrorism and physical security).
Area Damage Control Operations
- Measures taken before during or after hostile action or natural or man-made disasters, to reduce the probability of damage and minimise effects.
NATO MP take measures to support area damage control before, during and after hostile
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STANAG APP-12 actions or natural and manmade disasters. MP provide support that includes, but is not limited to MMS, refugee control, straggler control, NBC detecting and reporting.
High Threat Persons (HTP)/VIP Security
NATO MP may be required to provide security to high threat persons (HTP) or VIPs.
EPW Advice
- Provide technical advice to formations and units on EPW handling and administration.
EPW Collection
- Manning of an EPW collection point in a forward battle area to process, collect intelligence and arrange rearward movement of EPW.
EPW Evacuation
- Evacuating EPW from collection points to cages and holding areas.
Includes manning of EPW cages and holding areas.
EPW Internment
- Establishment and manning of semi-permanent camps located in the rear part of the theatre of operations, home country (zone of interior), for the internment and administration of EPW.
Observe EPW Rights
- MP serving as an inspectorate of compliance with international law conventions and treaties concerning protection of EPW rights.
EPW Registration
- The collection of fingerprints and other pertinent personnel data concerning the EPW including that required by the Geneva Convention.
Information Gathering .
Information gathering is a primary activity for a NATO MPSU. It underpins the planning and execution of prevention and reactive operations. It includes
Criminal Intelligence activity that is particularly aimed to collect and to analyse information related to organised crime. Information gathering operations are specifically directed activities to collect information on Named Area of Interest (NAI s) and “Hot Spots”. The key elements are:
 Knowledge and understanding of local social, criminal and security situations gathered as a result of contacts with the local population, authorities and other agencies.
 Establishment of a wide network capable of providing information to support all possible operations.
 Establishing a detailed understanding of the local situation to enable considered evaluation of information to take place even when other sources are unavailable.
 Vertical and horizontal dissemination of information to appropriate levels of command and units as directed by the Force Commander.
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Local Area Control .
The MPSU will carry out Local Area Control through general patrolling activities in order to maintain a regular presence within the AO. Such operations are in support of the NATO Force routine patrol activity and allow the MPSU to interact with the local community. whilst deepening its overall knowledge of evolving criminal and security situations in the area. The key elements are:
 Reconnaissance and verification of the public security situation in possible areas of interest.
 Establishing contacts with the local population and authorities to increase confidence and update information gathered.
 Providing deterrence by presence.
 Intervening in cases of public order and promoting the intervention by appropriate local authorities.
 Planning for operations to include evaluation of the ground, attitude of the local population and co-operation and support of other units.
Public Security Operations .
Public Security Operations include deterrence and prevention operations. They are aimed at controlling specific areas and monitoring opposing groups, crowd and riot control and include intervention operations intended to directly affect a public security situation when violence is likely, or has already broken out.
Intervention Operations.
 Deployment of the NATO MPSU to restore Public Order with an intervention adequate to the situation.
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Assignment of a limited Area of Responsibility (AO) for the Unit to conduct operations.
 Planning and co-ordination of operations with other units and agencies involved in an operation including identification of reserves.
 Personnel will move with full equipment scales. This may include snipers, military working dogs and SWAT teams.
Intervention by phases:
 Movement . Advanced and main body to move in conditions of security.
 Negotiation . To convince opponents to stop actions and resolve problem peacefully.
 Deployment . Unit assumes formation in appropriate and timely manner to display willingness to intervene
 Warning Order . Clear statement to opponents that the Unit is about to intervene and that negotiations have been completed.
 Intervention . Resolution of the situation by the most appropriate means and tactics.
 Area Control . Prevention of similar problems arising in the period following intervention. d. Local Police Monitoring .
When the military force is tasked with monitoring the civilian police, elements of the NATO MPSU, with specific experience, may be tasked with the following:
 Monitoring the activities of local police on patrol.
 Ensuring local police implement force orders and agreements established at Joint
Commissions.
 Monitoring and inspecting Police Stations to verify that arrest, detention and treatment of personnel is conducted in accordance with international standards.
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STANAG APP-12
 Ensuring restrictions on carriage of weapons on patrol and storage of weapons in Police
Stations are enforced.
 Providing evidence of breaches of agreements to the Force headquarters.
Local Police Forces Specialist .
Activities in support of local police forces may include:
 Monitoring specific criminal activities.
 Advising on the use and application of special methods and procedures to address criminal operations.
 Training in specific areas of competence.
Law Enforcement .
Should the mandate require, MPSU will carry out effective law enforcement duties in substitution for, or support of, local police.
MPCIIGO include all measures to collate, analyse and disseminate information and intelligence collected during routine MP operations as the well as the collection of information and intelligence through specialised and directed operations.
MP information and intelligence is divided into two categories:
 Criminal information and intelligence . Collated and disseminated information and intelligence pertaining to, or in support of, investigations, crime prevention and force protection measures.
 Operational information and intelligence . Collated and disseminated information and intelligence pertaining to, or in support of, operational issues.
Non-directed MPCIIGO .
Whilst conducting routine operations (traffic control, law enforcement, area security, EPW) MP are able to obtain and disseminate a broad spectrum of information and intelligence by observation and interaction with potential targets and target groups. Although this information will be linked to the original task (eg route reconnaissance, witness statements), additional operational or criminal value might be developed through further analysis in close co-operation with other agencies or branches (eg G1-G5, Legal,
Media).
Directed MPCIIGO
. As part of a broader information operation or reconnaissance plan, MP may be tasked to collect, analyse or disseminate specified pieces of information and intelligence either as an independent tasking or in conjunction with other MP tasks.
Specialised MPCIIGO .
Although not necessarily limited to specialist elements, the MPSU
(see Chapter 8) or specialist MP elements will normally conduct specialised MPCIIGO.
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MP information and intelligence analysis and presentation .
As a key element of the whole process of MPCIIGO, all criminal and operational information and intelligence gathered through the aforementioned types of operation will have to be pooled, screened, analysed and the respective results customised for presentation and further dissemination. The main focus for the respective MP database, first analysis and presentation may vary between different scenarios and even change during ongoing operations. Nevertheless, figures and statistics on certain offences, incidents and accidents are going to remain standard values within any MP database.
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