The Verkhovna Rada supported the creation of the Military Police: a new step towards reform

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine took an important step in reforming military justice by supporting the draft law "On Military Police" in the first reading. This initiative was widely approved by the deputies during the meeting on Wednesday, June 19.

People's deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on the results of the voting, noting that draft law No. 6569-d gained 247 votes for the basis. Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasized the importance of this draft law, registered in the Verkhovna Rada on May 31, 2024, and called on the deputies to prioritize it.

The idea of ​​creating a Military Police has been under discussion since August 2023. A working group on the basis of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement Activities worked on the development of an optimal model of military justice, a part of which will be the new Military Police as a separate military formation with law enforcement functions.

It is planned that the Military Police will become part of the system of the Ministry of Defense and will be created on the basis of the existing Military Service of Law and Order in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It will receive powers regarding operational and investigative activities and pre-trial investigation of war crimes, in particular in combat zones.

The main purpose of creating the Military Police is to maintain military discipline among the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service (SST). The new body will be engaged in law enforcement activities, prevention, detection and termination of war crimes, in accordance with the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code and military statutes.

Among the main tasks of the Military Police, operative and investigative activities, special prevention in the Armed Forces and the DSST, ensuring law and order and military discipline are also defined. In addition, the Military Police will be responsible for the protection of the rights of servicemen, state property and execution of punishments.

It is noted separately that achieving the compatibility of the Military Police with the relevant structures of NATO member countries is one of the key goals of this project. This will increase efficiency and cooperation with international partners in the field of military justice.

Thus, the creation of the Military Police in Ukraine is an important step on the way to the modernization of military justice, improvement of military discipline and protection of the rights of servicemen, which will contribute to the overall strengthening of the country's defense capabilities.