EXEMPLO DUCEMUS

Special Investigation Branch
www.rmp-sib.co.uk

Sadly Roger died on 14th November 2007 before he could complete his book "The Story of the Special Investigation Branch".  Many people have already contributed to the book but the future of the book, or who will complete it, if indeed it will be completed, is not yet known.  In the hope that someone will take up Roger's mantle and finish the book, his words below have been left as he first penned them and developments are awaited.

"As many of you will know I am working hard to write the history, or maybe a better description, the story of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police.

The project has been ongoing for almost a year and information of the highest calibre and integrity has been obtained during my research to date. Many people, from both within and without the Corps, have written to me giving their support and encouragement in my efforts. I am most grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement that I am receiving.

I have written to many former colleagues, including all past and present Commanding Officers. The book is all about showing and recording our beginnings, to where we are today, a highly accredited and internationally recognised detective force. In my view, the historical progression of our Branch should show in some detail, how the Branch has developed from its formation in 1940 to modern times. I have received considerable information from many former members covering many theatres of operation but I need more.

Rather than simply produce a clinical historical review, it is my intention to look at the idea of following periods of time, in conjunction with theatres of operation, in a logical sequence of events. During each period we shall hopefully identify interesting cases, investigations or incidents, of national, international or newsworthy importance, or indeed cases that we have dealt with, that may perhaps have been instrumental in changing legislation. I would like to illustrate some 'High Profile Cases' but without breaching areas of confidentiality, and also some of the 'bread and butter' type jobs we undertook. To show how an Investigator with only a note book and pencil and a few index cards went about his business, to where the SIB is now in the modern technical world of today.

I want to demonstate how the effects of legislation, scenes of crime techniques, forensic science, child protection, victim support, teaching and investigation techniques, have been applied up to the modern day, and brought us to where we are now. Unfortunately due to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 this has not been possible. Also many files of historic value have been destroyed and lost over the years, probably the most recent during a fire in BAOR, where hundreds of post war files were held.

I need to identify theatres of operation, and high profile cases in those regions where SIB served, for instance in wartime France and the UK, post war Germany, Cairo and Egypt in general, North Africa, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Singapore, Kenya during the Mau Mau period, Cyprus during EOKA, Hong Kong, Belize, Falklands, Gulf War, Kosovo, Bosnia and Sierra Leone. Anyone with information of SIB cases of interest from these theatres of operations, please contact me and have a chat. I shall be happy to visit you, within reason of course, so that we may record your experiences. Any information provided, will be on a strictly confidential basis and anonymity applied as appropriate.

I desperately need help from all former members of SIB, both commisioned and non-commissioned officers, with experiences to tell that can go into the annals of SIB history. This includes current serving members who are an important and an integral part of our history. Any information that you consider worthy of mention, including humorous events or stories, however small, will be welcome.

The story of our Branch has never been told, some say it never will, but this is our opportunity to rectify this omission so that our experiences can be recorded and take its rightful place in our Corps history. I do hope that you will participate and contact me if you have any input. It is not my intention to discredit the Special Investigation Branch, or the Corps of Royal Military Police, to which many of us have given lifelong service. I need your assistance just to put on record the story of an outstanding organisation with an outstanding record, performed by outstanding people.

Many thanks to those who have already contributed. Please keep it coming.

Best wishes to you all.