Issue and use of Truncheons
23. (a) Standard pattern truncheons may be carried when APMs are satisfied that all NCOs have been thoroughly instructed in the orders and exercised in the use of truncheons.
(b) A padded sack on similar lines to a bayonet sack marked with the four areas which may be struck should be used for trg,
(c) The specification of a standard truncheon is as follows :-
Length overall 14 3/4 inches
Length of grip 3 1/4 inches
Diameter at thickest part l 3/8 inches
Diameter at hilt 1 1/8 inches
Weight approx 12 ozs
Material Cocos wood or Partridge wood
Thong of leather 1/2 inch wide loop 9 1/4 inches measured from the wrist not including the part which passes round the grip.
The V.A.O.S. Cat. No is KA5498 Pattern No 8614 designation "Truncheons for WD constables and Military Prisons".
(d) Orders for the carrying of truncheons are given below
Standing Orders for the carrying and use of Police Truncheons by BMP Personnel.
(i) Issue and Maintenance of Truncheons
(a) Truncheons will be issued to all BMP Personnel on an individual basis. This issue will be recorded on AFs H1157.
(b) The truncheons will be issued in a highly polished condition and will be numbered.
(c) Under no circumstances will any unauthorised truncheon be carried.
(ii) Procedure to be carried out when Truncheons are carried on duty
(a) The truncheon will be carried in a separate pocket down the right trouser lag so that neither it nor its sling can be seen.
(b) All truncheons will be presented for inspection prior to mounting duty. The Officer/Warrant Officer/NCO 1C Duty will carefully inspect the truncheons and note any existing marks, scratches or indentations which are visible. A record of such markings will be entered in the DOB and signed by the Officer/Warrant Officer/N'JO 1C Duty immediately after the inspection is completed-
(c) A further inspection will be carried out by the Officer/ () Warrant Officer/NCO 1C Duty before NCOs are permitted to dismiss from their duties. Any fresh scratches, marks or indentations will be made the subject of an entry in the DOB and the NCO concerned will be ordered to submit a written report stating details of how the now marks occurred.
(iii) Orders to use Truncheons
The order to use truncheons will be given by the Senior Officer or NCO present, but a RMP NCO may use a truncheon to protect himself or another from serious injury provided he can justify his action.
(iv) Truncheons arc issued to the Riff to enable them to protect themselves if violently attacked. In using them, NCOs should aim at the arms and legs, as these parts of the body are least likely to suffer serious injury, and avoid the head as far as possible. The use of the truncheon is only to be resorted to in extreme cases, when all other efforts to arrest have failed and a prisoner is likely to escape through the RMP NCO effecting the arrest being ill-used or over-powered. Whenever truncheons are used, the matter must be reported to the Provost Duty Officer, who will examine them and make an appropriate entry in his report or in the DOB. The fact that truncheon was used should be included in the military police report accompanying the AF B 252.
(v) Action to be taken in. all cases when Truncheons are used.
(a) In all cases where truncheons are used a written report will be submitted immediately afterwards by the Officer/Warrant Officer or Senior NCO present and NCOs who actually used truncheons. ABs 466 will be entered up immediately shoeing place, date the time of use.
(b) The report will contain the following facts:-
(i) The circumstances leading up to the order for truncheons to be used.
(ii) What actual order was given and by whom showing the person by name.
(iii) The effect of the use of a truncheon or truncheons.
(iv) Any injuries inflicted as a result of using a truncheon, also what steps were taken to get medical treatment for the person injured.
(v) Details of the final inspection of the truncheon after an engagement showing minute details of any fresh marks, scratches or indentations which are sustained as a result of such action. (It is important not to remove any of these marks until the case has been disposed of).
(c) These reports will be carefully checked and initialed by the Officer/Warrant Officer or NCO i/c Duty, before the NCOs are permitted to dismiss.
(d) In cases where serious injuries have been accidentally inflicted the truncheon or truncheons will be immediately withdrawn from the NCO and kept under lock and key for evidence. A new truncheon will be issued to the NCO.
(vi) General
(a) This instruction will be entered as an Appendix to Company Standing Orders and will be read out to all NCOs once per month.
(b) Paras three (3) and four (4) will be learned by heart by all ranks RMP.