39th Military Police Detachment
POW&Detainee Processing Guide
POW&Detainee Processing Guide
POW - in the field, then in the base
- If the enemy is surrendering, do not lose sight of him. He may attempt to escape.
- If the enemy is wounded and lying down/unconscious, prioritize giving aid to your squad and securing the area around first.
- Secure the surrounding area. Make sure there are no more enemies around.
- Order the enemy to face the wall or lie down on the ground.
- Make sure at least one friendly is covering you. Approach the enemy.
- Apply zip ties to his hands. Briefly search him and strip all of his weapons, explosives and communication devices.
- RTB when your squad leader permits you. Stay with the POW at all times.
- Inform that you have a POW with you on the radio. Request MP backup at the gate.
- Stop the POW at the gate. Search him again for any contraband, this time thoroughly.
- Move the POW to the cells. Keep at least one friendly with you as an escort. MP preferred.
- Give the POW a POW uniform. Make sure he changes into it.
- Update the POW roster with his name. Check his tags or ask for it if needed.
- Feed the POW with an MRE and a water bottle three times a day unless ordered otherwise.
Detainee - in the base
Friendly soldiers should only be detained in the base unless they pose an active threat in the field. Inform the soldier that he is under arrest. Tell him the reason if he is unaware.
1 - If he complies:
- Tell him to face the wall and/or put his weapon down. Apply zip ties to his hands.
- Strip him of weaponry, explosives and communication devices.
- Move him to the cells. Strip him of his combat fatigues and any other contraband.
- Update the Detainee roster with his name. Feed him three times a day.
- File a criminal report and document it later.
2 - If he does not comply:
2a - If he is armed and there is a sign of him willing to use his weapon:
- Aim a live firearm at him. Warn him to comply and drop his weapon.
- Radio in for assistance immediately.
- If he at any time raises his weapon or attempts to run away, you have permission to fire your weapon at him.
- If he begins to comply, follow point 1.
- If he fails to comply after several warnings, have another MP fire a taser at him or take him down through other less-lethal means.
- Zip tie him once he is on the ground. Follow point 1 afterward.
- Aim a taser at him. Warn him to comply.
- Radio in for assistance.
- If he at any time unholsters a weapon or attempts to run away, fire your taser at him.
- If he begins to comply, follow point 1.
- If he fails to comply after several warnings, fire your taser at him.
- Zip tie him once he is on the ground. Follow point 1 afterward.