The Royal Military Police (Kmar) is one of the four branches of the Dutch Armed Forces. It is a police organization with military status. You will encounter the Kmar in different roles and in different places.
History
The Corps de Maréchaussée was founded in 1814 and its mission was: ,a Corps of Maréchaussée will be established, intended to maintain order, ensure the implementation of the laws and ensure the safety of the borders and major roads,. During the period 1914-1918, the Marechaussee’s task consisted of police supervision of the mobilized Dutch army. During the Second World War, its military status disappeared and it was absorbed into the civilian police on the orders of the German occupier. After the liberation, the Kmar became ‘Royal’ again and regained its military status. In 1956, Princess Beatrix was appointed ‘Governor of the Royal Military Police’. In 1998, the Kmar became an independent Armed Forces unit.
Current Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is an organization with a varied range of tasks in both civilian and military services. It is the calling card of the Netherlands. During official visits by foreign heads of state, the Royal Military Police is ready in a guard of honor to welcome the guests.
The Royal Military Police is one of the four branches of the armed forces. In addition to the Royal Air Force, Royal Army and Royal Navy, it falls under the Ministry of Defense. However, to carry out 80% of its tasks, the Kmar falls under the authority of other ministries, especially the Ministry of Justice.
Tasks
In accordance with Article 6 of the Police Act 1993, version 2007, the Royal Military Police is engaged in the following tasks:
- ensuring the safety of the members of the Royal House
- performance of the police task on behalf of the Dutch and other armed forces, as well as international military headquarters, and with regard to persons belonging to those armed forces and headquarters.
- the performance of police duties at Schiphol Airport and at other aerodromes designated by Our Ministers of Justice, the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Defense, as well as civil aviation security
- the provision of assistance
- the performance of police duties at places under the management of Our Minister of Defense, at prohibited places designated for the purpose of national defense under the Protection of State Secrets Act, as well as on the grounds of the official residence of Our Prime Minister
- implementation of the Aliens Act 2000
- the fight against human smuggling and fraud involving travel and identity documents
- security on behalf of De Nederlandsche Bank NV
Layout
The Royal Military Police is divided into five districts:
- District West (The Hague Security Brigade, North Holland Brigade, South Holland Brigade, Utrecht Brigade, Criminal Investigation and Information Brigade)
- North-East District (Brigade Wadden area, Brigade Oostgrens-Noord, Brigade Oostgrens-Middle, Brigade Veluw, Brigade Drenthe-IJsselstreek, Brigade Investigation and Information)
- District South (Brigade Scheldestromen, Brigade Brabant South, Brigade Brabant North / Limburg North, Brigade Limburg South, Brigade Investigation and Information, Brigade Support)
- Schiphol District (Border Guard Brigade, Police & Security Brigade, Immigration Brigade, District Operational Support Brigade, Criminal Investigation and Information Brigade)
- District National and Foreign Units (Foreign Missions Brigade, Caribbean Brigade, Central Investigation and Information Brigade, Armed Forces and Operational Support Brigade, Special Security Assignments Brigade)
Where can you encounter the Royal Military Police?
You will encounter the Kmar at passport controls at, for example, Schiphol, Rotterdam Airport or Eindhoven Airport. You also sometimes see Kmar at border crossings with Belgium and Germany or at natural borders such as the port of Rotterdam.
Equipment
The Royal Military Police uses (armored) vehicles, motorcycles and surveillance vehicles. They also have a number of ships for surveillance along the Dutch coast. The Kmar uses the following weapons: Glock 17 and the HK416. Just like the police, fire brigade and ambulances, the Kmar works with the C2000 system, so that good cooperation can be achieved in the event of emergencies.
Course
The training center of the Royal Military Police is located in Apeldoorn and Eefde. Depending on your previous education and preference, you can work as:
- Marechaussee (security guard), training takes approximately 32 weeks.
- Watchmaster (non-commissioned officer), training lasts approximately 84 weeks.
- Officer, training lasts approximately approximately 4 years.