Army Slashes Military Police Force, Closing Dozens of Units Amid Strategic Shift

The U.S. Army is reducing an essential part of its military police (MP) force, following a pattern that will result in the service retaining fewer than 60% of the MP personnel it had in 2007. This week, the 91st Military Police Battalion at Fort Drum was officially inactivated, marking the closure of the 24th MP unit in just 18 months.

The Army has initiated a significant restructuring by standing down one brigade, four battalions, 15 companies, and four detachments. By 2027, the count of MP soldiers is projected to decrease from 14,000 in 2007 to merely 8,000.

Authorities indicate that this action signifies a broader shift in the responsibilities of military law enforcement. “The structure of the Military Police has been adjusted to ensure that essential capabilities are directed towards priority theaters and to bolster large-scale combat operations,” stated an Army spokesperson. The focus of the MP mission has shifted to encompass both combat support and law enforcement.

Colonel Jeremy Kerfoot of the 89th Military Police Brigade emphasized that this change will foster “a more professional soldier” who can concentrate on base security instead of alternating between policing and battlefield responsibilities.

The reduction in MPs in uniform has led the Army to increase its reliance on civilian police for on-base law enforcement duties. Organizations such as the Army Civilian Police Academy at Fort Leonard Wood have expanded to address growing needs. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has also undergone a shift in its leadership structure, adopting a more civilian approach that operates similarly to a federal law enforcement agency.

Members of Parliament are persistently engaged in challenging assignments, such as recent operations at the southern border and responses to civil disturbances. Army leaders maintain that the reductions will not jeopardize safety; instead, they aim to modernize military policing to better prepare for future conflicts and intricate logistics operations.