In Ukraine, plans are underway to establish a Military Police. This force will have the authority to search for and detain offenders, stop vehicles, check documents, conduct searches, and gain access to residences. This was reported by TSN and Kontrakty.UA.
The corresponding bill (№6569-д) was supported by the Verkhovna Rada in its first reading. For more information about this new entity, read the article on TSN.ua.
What is Military Police
Lawyer Marina Bekalo explained that the proposed legislation aims to create a new entity – Military Police, which will be staffed by military personnel.
The Military Police will be tasked with maintaining law and order and military discipline within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the State Special Transport Service.
The Military Police in Ukraine will acquire new powers, including:
- Investigating circumstances, conducting inquiries, detecting, and preventing military offenses, particularly regarding military discipline, within military units and formations (including official inspections, escorting convicted individuals in military crimes to judicial and law enforcement bodies, and to places of detention)
- Ensuring law and order under the legal regime of martial law, including checking vehicles, establishing the circumstances of traffic accidents involving drivers and other individuals operating military vehicles of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Armed Forces, and the State Special Service
- Ensuring compliance with curfew
- Guarding prisoners of war
- Countering hostile reconnaissance and sabotage groups
- Protecting military facilities, military towns, and their inhabitants
- Restoring and maintaining order and discipline in military units
- And other powers as stipulated by legislation regarding the legal regime of martial law
Additionally, in urgent cases related to saving lives, property, or pursuing suspects, the Military Police will be able to enter residences or other properties with mandatory notification of investigative bodies and the prosecutor's office.
Failure to comply with the requirements or lawful orders of Military Police officials may result in a fine of up to 17,000 UAH for citizens.
The bill includes relevant amendments to the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Funding for the Military Police will be provided from the state budget through the Ministry of Defense, as well as from other sources permitted by international agreements.
How Military Police Interacts with Civilians
The bill primarily pertains to military service, the investigation and prevention of military crimes, and ensuring compliance with legislation concerning the legal regime of martial law.
“In other words, the project concerns special entities related to the security and defense sector, specifically the Ministry of Education and Science, the Armed Forces, and the State Special Transport Service,” explained the lawyer to TSN.ua.
Marina Bekalo noted that this project only pertains to civilians in terms of checking vehicles — surface inspections of personal identification documents and driving permits.
When will the Military Police start operating
The bill is currently being revised — amendments are being prepared for the second reading, taking into account the comments from relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada. The final version will be seen later.
Currently, the parliament is preparing legislative changes for the establishment of the Military Police, a specialized prosecutor's office, and military courts.
Why is Military Police needed in Ukraine
According to Marina Bekalo, the presence of a specialized law enforcement agency that deals exclusively with military offenses – that is, with a narrow specialization – is objectively necessary under wartime conditions.
“Due to the lack of specialized knowledge, clearly defined powers, qualifications, and competence in military affairs and military offenses among representatives of the national police and the State Bureau of Investigation,” says Marina Bekalo.
It is worth noting that a specialized law enforcement agency for maintaining order within the armed forces and other military and paramilitary formations has been established and operates in many countries around the world, including Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, the USA, Finland, and others.
Recall that we previously reported that the Rada supported in the first reading the establishment of Military Police.