Simply put, the military and political situation in the Republic of the Congo (formerly the Belgian Congo) in early 1960 was a nightmare. The Force Publique, a Belgian officered paramilitary police force, had mutinied, the mineral rich province of Katanga had declared independance and Belgian troops had invaded to protect Belgian commercial interests. Soviet backed guerillas were fighting Congolese government troops, Belgian troops and mercenaries. In June 1960, the President of the Congo, Joseph Kasavubu, requested the urgent dispatch of United Nations forces to restore order. United Nations troops began arriving in July.
The ONUC Military Police Company was made up of MPs from Canada, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Ireland and Norway. The Military Police Company Headquarters was in the Leopoldville, the capital and detachments were located there and at Kamina Base and Elizabethville. Military Police powers and responsibilities were the same as those detailed in the UNEF Regulations.
ONUC Force Regulations Chapter III Section 14, 15 July 1963
The Commander shall provide for military police for any camps, establishments or other premises which are occupied by the Force in a Host State and for such areas where the Force is deployed in the performance of its functions. Elsewhere military police of the Force may be employed, in so far as such employment is necessary to maintain discipline and order among members of the Force, subject to arrangements with the authorities of the Host State concerned, and in liaison with those authorities. For the purpose of this Regulation the military police of the Force shall have the power of arrest over members of the Force. Nothing in this Regulation is in derogation of the authority of arrest conferred upon members of a national contingent vis-a-vis one another.
The universal pattern United Nations cap badge was worn on a blue beret. The 25 Brigade patch as worn in Korea was adopted as the national insignia for members of United Nations Canadian Contingents. Early versions were made of felt, later versions are made of nylon mix and have a distinct border. This patch was worn on the left sleeve. A mission-specific United Nations arm badge was worn on the right sleeve by all UN personel in the Congo. There were a number of patterns of MP brassards, the most common was an American pattern, black with white MP lettering. Canadian Provost wore the Canadian Provost Corps shoulder title on both arms.
Sergeant Major (WO II) Rolland Beaudet wearing the UN blue beret and standard UN cap badge. The armlet insignia of Provost Corps title, Canadian Contingent patch and whitened rank insignia are clearly visable. The rank and status of the owl is not known.
 Officer's Pattern UN Cap Badge |
 Universal Pattern Cap Badge |
 Canadian Contingent Patch |
 United Nations Shoulder Patch |
United Nations vehicles are distinctive in that unlike all other military vehicles, the UN colour scheme is anything but camouflage. Essentially, UN vehicles are painted white, with prominent blue markings. The pictured vehicle appears to be a locally acquired Jeep CJ 5. The driver and co-driver are Canadian Provost Corps Lance Corporals, the Sergeant on the left is a Dane and an Indian Military Policeman is in the back of the jeep.
The same scene from a different angle. The Indian MP is a Lance Corporal, the UN cap badge is prominent on the front of his turban. The Canadian MPs are wearing the green Bush uniform with brassards on both sleeves.
