Introduction

A 2003 documentary about the British Army’s military police force.

Outline

This week on The Real Redcaps we hear the tale of Jo Lally, sentenced to 60 days in the Military Corrective Training Centre, in Colchester, for having a drink with the lads in barracks.

Before returning to her unit, she undergoes the same training and conditions as the men in the jail.

After a gym session, Jo is humiliated by the men who had to wait while she completed her shower.

On Christmas day the Commandant wakes the inmates with “Gunfire at Dawn” – a tot of rum in their tea before singing carols in the Chapel. Traditional Christmas lunch is served by the staff – and includes a can of beer for everyone and we meet Neil Barr the normally jolly ‘geordie’ who reveals the pain of separation from his family during Christmas.

Another kind of deprivation is found in Kosovo & Bosnia where Redcaps have worked closely with multi-national forces in a peacekeeping role for ten years.

Their work began when the Special Investigation Branch gathered photographic evidence of atrocious war crimes in the Balkans. Today they gather illegal weapons and lead by example, policing troops intent on breaking traffic laws.

The Real Redcaps Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Real Redcaps here.

Production & Filming Details

• Presenter(s): Robson Green.
• Release Date: 05 August 2003.
• Running Time: 60 minutes.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.