CANADIAN FORCES SECURITY BRANCH BADGES

Canadian Forces Military Police Branch

Badges and Insignia


crest

Upon the creation of the Security and Intelligence Branch a new design of cap badge was approved. A badge of uniquely Canadian design was adopted with a Thunderbird as it's central image:

Within a garland of Maple Leaves or, a cartouche argent edged or charged with a Thunderbird Proper, affronte head turned to dexter, beneath the cartouche a motto ribbon or, the whole ensigned by Royal Crown Proper.

In October 1982, the Intelligence Branch was separated from the Security Branch and separate badges and insignia were approved for that service.



Cap Badges

General Officers And Colonels

Normally the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal is a Colonel,however at least one was a Brigadier General. Canadian Forces General Officer and Colonel's cap badges are illustrated here as a point of historical interest.


The First Pattern of unification CF General Officer's cap badge was introduced about 1967. A unique Canadian design, it consists of the Royal Crest of Canada surmounting the crossed sword and baton, all surrounded by laurel leaves. It was worn by Army and Air Force General Officers and by Admirals until it was replaced by the current CF General's cap badge in the mid 1970s. A smaller version was produced as a beret badge.


The current pattern of General Officer's cap and beret badges.


Officers And Chief Warrant Officers


First Pattern Officer's Cap Badge

Second Pattern Officer's Cap Badge


Approved First Pattern
Officer's Beret Badge

Privately Manufactured
Officer's Beret Badge

The first pattern of Officer's cap badge was hand embroidered and was adopted around 1978. This pattern has since been replaced by an wire embroidered badge with a removable enamel center. Several variations of a smaller, wire embroidered beret badge have been privately produced.


Non Commissioned Members

RECRUIT

During Basic Military Qualification training all Canadian Forces recruits wear the CF Universal Pattern Cap Badge, commonly known as the "cornflake". Upon graduation, members are posted to their chosen Branch or Regiment for trades training and wear cap badges and other insignia according to Branch or Regimental custom. Military Police candidates are authorized to wear the MP Branch cap badge but without the red Branch identifiers.


BADGE

The first pattern cap badge is gilt and enamel. Introduced about 1970, it was originally worn by all ranks, although many former members of the Canadian Provost Corps and the RCAF could be seen wearing their old cap badges until the mid 1970's.



C1978 - C1985

1985 - Present

Embroidered Non Commissioned Members cap badges.
Introduced in the late 1970's, the backing was originally dark rifle green (left). A new badge with a black backing was introduced in 1985. The badge is worn on a red cloth backing on any headdress other than the red beret.


Collar Badges


First Pattern

Second Pattern

Security Branch collar badges were taken into wear shortly before the cap badge. A large number of collar badges in dark green on gold were produced in the early 1970s before being replaced by the full colour current pattern. Collar badges are worn by all ranks below Colonel on the CF Green jacket and Army DEU jacket.

MESS

Wire embroidered collar badges worn on the Army MP Branch Mess Dress jacket.


Distinctive Environment Uniform (DEU) Insignia

Navy (Sea Environment)

The Sea Environment MP trade badges closely follow the pattern of badges traditionally worn by Royal Canadian Navy ratings. The white badge is worn on the right sleeve of the white summer shirt. A miniature version of this badge in blue and gold is worn on the lapels of the blue Navy DEU jacket. Lapel badges are issued in left and right facing pairs, the top pistol is worn facing inwards.

These trades badges are not worn by officers.


Army (Land Environment)


Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Trades Badges For The Army DEU Jacket



Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Trades Badges For The Garrison Jacket


The trade badges worn by the Army are similar to the ones worn by the Canadian Provost Corps. Two patterns exist, one for the Army DEU, and a pattern for the discontinued Garrison Dress Jacket. The badges show both occupation and qualification level and are worn by NCMs of the rank of Sergeant and below.


Shoulder And Epaulette Titles

ARMY_DEU

ARMY_DEU

Upon the adoption of DEU in the early 1980s, metal shoulder titles were authorised with the branch motto SECURITAS. These were issued in right and left pairs and were worn on the epaulettes by all ranks.

ARMY_DEU

Following the redesignation of the Security Branch to Military Police, new DEU titles were brought into wear. They are of gilt metal and are either MP or PM depending on the working language of the unit.

ARMY_DEU2

MP or PM titles embroidered in dull yellow gold on a green slip-on are worn on the DEU shirt epaulettes.


Air Force (Air Environment)


Non Commissioned Members

Commissioned Officers

The Air Environment MP trade badges are similar to the "half-wing" badges worn by the pre Unification Royal Canadian Air Force. They are worn above the right breast pocket on the blue DEU service dress. The badges illustrated here are Officer's version with gold pistols and the Non Commissioned Member's version with silver pistols.


Combat and CADPAT Uniform Insignia

  Subdued insignia is worn on the Combat and new CADPAT uniforms. Subdued cap badges were worn on the combat cap and, rarely, on the green toque. Shoulder titles are sewn onto epaulette slip-ons and on the olive green combat brassard. In general, Regular Force MP platoons have a single number or simply MP on the shoulder title. "MP" is also found embroidered directly onto late 1970s - early 1980s vintage epaulette slip-ons.
New MP titles are currently being produced for the CADPAT uniform, in both TW and Arid patterns.
Reserve Force MP platoons have double digit numbers or wear the MP title. There is no known title for 3 MP Platoon and it is believed that the title of the parent formation (3 Service Battalion) was worn. Military Police assigned to duty as Regimental Police with Infantry Battalions (for example, the Royal Canadian Regiment)wear a miniature MP title above the Battalion title on the epaulette.
A combat title with the MP motto "Securitas" was developed and issued in small numbers for user trials in Halifax, but was not approved.

COMBAT
First Pattern
Combat Cap Badge
COMBAT
Variant First Pattern
Combat Cap Badge

COMBAT
Late Pattern
Combat Cap Badge
COMBAT
Variant Late Pattern
Combat Cap Badge


COMBAT
Late 1970s Embroidered Epaulette
RCR
MP serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment


OG Combat and CADPAT Epaulette Titles

OG Combat Titles 1970s - C 2003


Universal Canada Title
Combat
COMBAT
Universal MP Combat Title
English
COMBAT1
Universal MP Combat Title
French


1 MP Platoon

1 MP Platoon (variant)

2 MP Platoon


Believed to be worn
by 3 MP Platoon c1970s

4 MP Platoon

5e Peleton de Police Militaire
First Pattern

COMBAT5A
5e Peleton de Police Militaire
error
COMBAT5B
5e Peleton de Police Militaire
later version
COMBAT55
55 Peleton de Police Militaire


Canadian Forces School Of
Intelligence And Security

Security Branch
Trial Prototype

Military Police
Airfield Security Force

COMBAT30
30 MP Platoon
COMBAT30C
30 MP Company
SECURITAS
Service Batallion


CADPAT Titles


Universal Canada Title
CADPAT TW

Universal Canada Title
CADPAT AR
COMBAT2
Universal MP CADPAT TW Title
English

COMBAT3
Universal MP CADPAT TW Title
French
COMBAT4
Universal MP CADPAT AR Title
English
COMBAT5
Universal MP CADPAT AR Title
French

1MPR
1 Military Police Regiment
CADPAT TW
2MPR
2 Military Police Regiment
CADPAT TW
5PPMTW
5e Peleton de Police Militaire
CADPAT TW

RCAF
Air Force Military Police
CADPAT TW
(Obsolete)
RCAF
Air Force Police Militaire
CADPAT TW
(Obsolete)
RCAF
Air Force Military Police
OG 107


Garrison Uniform Insignia

During the 1980's and early 1990's a Garrison Uniform was issued to all Branches of the Canadian Forces. Known by the junior ranks as the "Paint By Numbers Jacket" it proved to be unpopular and was withdrawn by 1995. Special insignia was worn on the jacket, generally similar in pattern to Combat insignia but in a subdued old gold and green. Below are a few typical examples of Garrison Uniform Insignia.
18PLATOON
18 MP Platoon Garrison Shoulder Title
28PLATOON
28 MP Platoon Garrison Shoulder Title

SECURITY
Security Branch Garrison Shoulder Title

EPAULETTE

1 MP Platoon title and Corporal's rank insignia worn on the CF Work Dress or Garrison shirt.


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