The formation of this Corps is comparatively a recent one, for
until the year 1880 police duties in times of peace were discharged
regimentally, and in times of war by more or less haphazard detachments
under selected officers known as Provost Marshals. The formation of
the Military Mounted and Foot Police, however, placed this important
work on more solid and organised foundations, and in war and peace the
members of the Corps discharge, in a most efficient manner, a large
variety of important duties few are aware of. The policing of camps,
lines of communication, supply bases and other important centres is
only part of their work, which include the custody of prisoners of war,
the safeguarding of general officers, and the execution of spies and
other condemned prisoners.