Armed and ready

Arm of the law: A close-up of the old brassard (below) and the new one.(above). The old brassard was normally worn on the left arm..

AT A GLANCE

The RAAF Service Police was established on April 6, 1942, reaching a strength of 1000 members, including 50 officers. The first WRAAFs were enlisted in early 1943 and grew to more than 100 Service Police Women before the end of WW2. Dogs were first introduced during 1943. In June 1976, the RAAF Service Police changed its name to RAAF Police (RAAFPOL) in preparation for the disbandment of the RAAF Provost Unit in 1979. Headquarters RAAF Police was disbanded in 1981. In the early 1990s, the RAAF Police (RAAFPOL) mustering was renamed RAAF Security Police (SECPOL).

THE Air Force Security Police are now “armed” to meet their force protection roles in any operating environment with a return to the SP (Security Police) brassard featuring white lettering on a black background.

As with other musterings, RAAF Security and Policing Service (RAAFSPS) has undergone significant changes in recent years.

The front page photograph in the August 15 edition of Air Force News was probably the first time that many had seen the new brassard, although it replaced the previous version earlier this year.

Increased involvement in international security forces and UN operations provided the impetus for the change.

Service Police, more than ever, need credentials to be easily identifiable to our own personnel, coalition forces and civilians.

There is also a need to meet international standards, similar to the Law of Armed Conflict concept of using universally recognised symbols with colours, lettering size and background.

The new brassard is a standard part of the SECPOL uniform worn with DCPUs and working dress. Worn on the right arm, it is much easier to see at a distance because of the size of the writing.

The previous brassard, worn in Bougainville and East Timor, proved difficult to read because of the red lettering on a black background. And, as it was worn on the left arm, it clashed with the requirement for the UN brassard to be worn with the SP brassard.

Wing Commander Chris Osborn, Director of Security and Policing, said the mustering had returned to “something we had 30 years ago” with the reinstatement of the black and white SP brassard.

“Such changes are necessary to meet today’s operating environment. The brassard has already lifted our profile in the combined forces operating environment and should make it easier for all to recognise the role SECPOL play both in security and law enforcement,” WGCDR Osborn said.

Squadron Leader Andy Roberts, Security Officer at RAAF Base Williamtown, said the “brassard needed to be changed to meet international standards”.

The black and white brassard had been replaced in 1975 with the RAAF Police Badge. The change in name from RAAFPOL to SECPOL in the early 1990s required another change to the badge and brassard.

While change is inevitable and there is talk of the three Service Police specialisations becoming the ADF Service Police, the men and women (and dogs) of the RAAF Security Police will continue to meet any challenge put before them.

• By Flight Lieutenant
  Andrew Beggs

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