Royal Air Force Police

Royal Air Force Police
Name	Royal Air Force Police
Dates	1 April 1918 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	United Kingdom
Type	Provost
Role	Military police, security, counter-intelligence
Command structure	No. 2 Group, RAF Air Command
Garrison	RAF Honington
Garrison label	Headquarters
Nickname	RAFP, "Snowdrops"
Motto	Fiat Justitia, (Let Justice Be Done)
Battles	Second World War, Falklands War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War
Commander1 label	Provost Marshal (RAF)
Identification symbol label	Tactical Recognition Flash

Royal Air Force Police. The Royal Air Force Police is the provost branch of the Royal Air Force, providing professional policing, security, and investigative services across the service. Established alongside the RAF itself in 1918, it operates globally to protect personnel, assets, and information. Its personnel, often nicknamed "Snowdrops" from their distinctive white-topped peaked caps, are integral to maintaining discipline, law, and order within the air force.

History

The service originated with the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, absorbing provost personnel from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. Its role expanded significantly during the Second World War, where it was involved in airfield security, prisoner of war handling, and investigations across all theatres, including the Battle of Britain and the D-Day landings. Post-war, it adapted to the Cold War, with detachments in Germany and during the Berlin Airlift. The RAF Police have been deployed on numerous modern operations, including the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan, often working alongside the Royal Military Police and Ministry of Defence Police.

Organisation

The RAF Police is commanded by the Provost Marshal (RAF), a group captain, headquartered at RAF Honington in Suffolk. It falls under the operational command of No. 2 Group within RAF Air Command. The force is structured into squadrons, flights, and units stationed at RAF bases worldwide, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. Specialist elements include the RAF Police Special Investigations Branch, which handles serious and complex crime, and dedicated units for close protection, military working dogs, and security.

Roles and responsibilities

Primary duties include general policing, crime prevention, and the investigation of offences under the Armed Forces Act 2006. A core function is the security of RAF installations, aircraft, and sensitive information, often involving counter-intelligence and force protection measures. The RAF Police also provides specialist support such as forensic recovery, personal security for senior officers and visiting dignitaries, and the handling of explosive detection dogs. They frequently operate in joint environments with the Royal Navy Police, Army, and international partners like the United States Air Force.

Training and recruitment

Recruits undergo initial military training at RAF Halton before commencing specialist provost training at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding, formerly at RAF Honington. This training covers service law, police powers, investigative techniques, and security procedures. Further specialist courses are available in areas such as special investigations, counter-intelligence, and close protection. Career progression can lead to commissions as officers, with opportunities for postings to the Ministry of Defence, Joint Forces Command, or attachments to organisations like the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Insignia and uniform

The most distinctive feature is the white-topped peaked cap, which earned the nickname "Snowdrops", particularly during service in Germany. The standard RAF uniform is worn, with the addition of a black Sam Browne belt and a provost armlet. Rank insignia follows standard RAF structure, but personnel wear the unique RAF Police badge, featuring the Royal Cypher and the motto Fiat Justitia. Members of the Special Investigations Branch wear civilian attire when conducting covert or sensitive investigations.

Notable personnel

Notable former members include John Nichol, the RAF navigator who was captured during the Gulf War and became a noted author. Wing Commander Andy Green, holder of the World Land Speed Record as driver of ThrustSSC, served as an RAF Police officer early in his career. The branch has also been represented by senior officers who have held the post of Provost Marshal (RAF), contributing to wider defence policing policy and cooperation with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and other national agencies.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military police units and formations of the United Kingdom Category:1918 establishments in the United Kingdom