Visual Representations of Military Police

Introduction

Military police organizations are a universal presence in terrestrial militaries. Historical analogs have existed in armed forces for centuries. Sometimes called provosts, military police exist to enforce order among troops and provide various security roles. MPs wear distinctive uniforms and insignia to be immediately recognizable to soldiers and civilians alike. Despite the existence of military police being confirmed across the major factions of the Star Wars galaxy, no visual representations are currently known. It is certainly possible that military police have appeared without ever being identified as such. Whatever the case may be, galactic MPs would certainly stand out from the common troops as a highly visible security force.

Potential Examples

Judicial Stormtroopers

Of all the examples examined here, the Judicial Stormtroopers of The Last Jedi seem like the most likely    example of a military police organization. These stormtroopers are briefly seen attempting to execute former trooper FN-2187 and his companion Rose Tico. The Judicial Stormtroopers feature distinctive black markings and a First Order emblem on their shoulder armor. Enacting capital punishment would certainly fit within a law enforcement and security role. Promotional material has also referred to them as First Order Executioners, stating that they were not a distinct branch, but merely regular stormtroopers assigned to "executioner duty". Even for a regime as despotic as the First Order, it seems highly unlikely that a dedicated role for beheadings would be necessary. The Judicial Stormtroopers likely filled a much larger role as indicated by their distinct paint job. Color is of extreme significance in the First Order, most stormtroopers wear anonymous white armor devoid of any symbols. 

Riot Control Stormtroopers

Riot control stormtroopers fit the security role, though their purpose seems to be strictly for civilian law enforcement. Trained at the Imperial military academy on Yinchorr, riot troopers wore the standard white plastoid armor of the Stormtrooper Corps. The riot troopers are most likely internal troops or gendarmes, supplementing local police units and crushing riots. Like some terrestrial nations, the Empire has no restrictions on the military enforcing laws on civilians. 

Patrol Troopers

The Empire's patrol troopers appear quite similar in purpose to the riot troopers, possibly serving in the same units. Their role seems to be in civilian law enforcement, specifically highway patrol. These two types of troopers likely serve in planetary gendarmeries, assisting local agencies like the Corellian Security Force. 

 

Unofficial Appearances

Republic Military Police

The ARC Trooper Mod is a popular conversion mod for Star Wars: Republic Commando. One of the troopers designed for the mod are Military Police troopers. They wear distinctive black markings, the letters "MP" in Aurebesh, and sport rank colors when applicable. Curiously, they appear to use the DC-17m modular blaster system. Typically used by special forces, this weapon may only be a placeholder asset. Note the "MP" on the right bicep is mirrored.

Shock Troopers

Star Wars RP is a popular fan-made game mode for the sandbox video game Garry's Mod. In the mod, players take the role of Republic, Imperial, or First Order troopers. The game revolves around running a garrison or star destroyer, with the military police playing an integral role. Throughout the eras of the game mode, all MPs wear the iconic markings of the Coruscant Guard, otherwise known as "shock troopers". While Coruscant Guardsmen serve in some roles comparable to military police, their primary purpose is to protect the galactic capital. Having every MP in the Grand Army share the unit markings of the Coruscant Guard may cause confusion. If the Guard is organized like a terrestrial national guard, internal military police would still be necessary.