Royal Air Force Police

Royal Air Force Police


The Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) is the Service Police branch of the Royal Air Force headed by the Provost Marshal of the Royal Air Force. It was formed on 1 April 1918, when the RAF was formed by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It is responsible for the policing of all service personnel much like their RN or Army counterparts. The RAFP are usually based within RAF stations and installations.

RAF Police non-commissioned officers and warrant officers are noticeable by their white-topped caps (giving rise to their nickname of Snowdrops), which they have worn since 1945, and by black and red flashes worn below their rank slides (known as Mars Bars). RAF Police commissioned officers wear the standard peaked cap of all Royal Air Force officers, although they wear 'Mars Bars' in the same way as RAFP NCOs. Unlike their British Army colleagues in the Royal Military Police, RAFP personnel do not wear a distinctive red beret when wearing camouflaged uniform, although they do wear the same 'MP' badges, the internationally recognised symbol for military police personnel.

Read more about Royal Air Force Police:  Role, Organisation, Specialist Units, Training, Royal Auxiliary Air Force (Police)

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