NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2009 31
News and information for serving personnel
Prosecuting body
‘wholly independent’
Reservists
visit old
A NEW independent
The SPA’s Mission Statement is as follows: “Led by the Director of Service Prosecutions, the Service
battlefields
prosecuting authority has been
Prosecuting Authority is a Tri-Service organisation that provides for the independent, efficient and
set up as a result of changes to
consistent consideration of criminal cases and offences contrary to military discipline.
● Tilly Clifton
the three Service Discipline “It will initiate prosecutions where justified and conduct fair and thorough proceedings in the of Baltic
Tilly wins
Acts.
Service courts of first instance and the Service appellate courts, whilst liaising effectively with the
As of January 1, the Director of
police and dealing with prosecution witnesses and victims of crime with care and sensitivity.
HISTORIC clashes and current
Service Prosecutions (DSP), Bruce
“Whilst maintaining independence from the service chain of command, the Service Prosecuting
operations were to the fore at the
Houlder QC, headed up the new
Authority fulfils its functions in support of operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces
fifth battlefield tour undertaken
reward for
Service Prosecuting Authority
throughout the world”.
by RN reservists from HMS
(SPA), the umbrella grouping President in London.
of the three individual Service
The review concluded that and criminal process, the SPA will the context in which actions and A group of 30 officers and
getting the
authorities.
combining the Service Discipline introduce streamlined working decisions are performed and made. ratings travelled to Tallinn and
Although the DSP and his
Acts into a single act, and reducing practices for the preparation and “It will be no part of my role to Helsinki to focus on the Royal
deputy, Brig Philip McEvoy of
the differences between the presentation of cases. ‘second guess’ a decision made in
Navy’s Baltic campaign of 1918-
the Army Legal Services, will act systems to the absolute minimum, Regular training will ensure good faith, and a decision perceived 20.
mail through
under the general superintendence would better support the Forces. a strong body of experienced by the Serviceman to be the correct That saw Rear Admiral Walter
of the Attorney General, he will The work of SPA will underpin a prosecutors for the future. decision at the time, provided that it Cowan support the Baltic states’
act wholly independently from the fresh, accountable approach to the SPA will also work closely was based on an honest judgement struggle for independence from
STAFF at the BFPO are getting chain of command, and will be administration of criminal justice through the Provost Marshals of
of the legal circumstances he faced the Bolsheviks – a campaign
their breath back after another free of all outside influences in his for those under military law. the three Services to encourage
at the time. which remains almost unknown in
typically manic Christmas period. decision-making. SPA is the culmination of a consistent and efficient working
“This will be so whatever the the UK, even amongst serving RN
And for one of them, the New Since taking up his post in May gradual process of evolution, arrangements between the consequences.
personnel, even though the Senior
Year brought a special delivery in 2008, the new DSP has been moulded by an ever-increasing independent Service police forces “Mistakes are made however
Service lost at least ten ships and
the form of an MBE. given a thorough grounding in body of rights-based judicial and the new authority. hard we try to avoid them.
107 sailors.
The British Forces Post Office relevant aspects of Service life decisions, and by a recognition Bruce Houlder said: “A “Crime and serious breaches
As well as studying the naval
works full tilt in the festive period and discipline, as well as the that there needs to be a modern comparatively tiny number of discipline, including neglect of
campaign, with visits to various
to cope with the huge increase in operational work of the three prosecution service that will of criminal acts have marred duty, tend to advertise themselves
historical sites in Tallinn, the tour
the volume of mail handled. Services in the UK and abroad. serve the public at large and the the deserved and honourable clearly, and it is this that I will be
party was also hosted by both the
Well in advance of Christmas, It is anticipated that in October
military in particular; and which reputation of Her Majesty’s Armed
concerned with. Estonian and Finnish navies.
Mrs Tilly Clifton, the Ships 2009, Parliament will implement
will continue to underpin the Services in recent years.
“The law is not there to punish The Finnish element saw a visit
Section Manager and Air the provisions of the Armed Forces
strong disciplinary imperatives “Sound lessons, and clear new
the honest, or those who have to the Upinniemi naval base and
Programmer in the BFPO’s Fleet
Act 2006 in full. and operational readiness of the training directions, have sought
tried to do their duty, or those 7 Missile Squadron, followed by
Mail Office, began liaising with
This will introduce a new system modern armed services. to banish poor discipline and bad
who act properly in performance a wreath-laying ceremony at the
ships due to be deployed over the
of Service law, and a single court As part of the work of SPA practice from all branches of the
of their duty yet make errors, and Finnish National War Cemetery.
festive period to ensure BFPO was
martial for all trials of criminal will inevitably involve cases arising Services.”
I shall see to the best of my ability It culminated in a visit to
as up-to-date as possible over the
and disciplinary offences referred in the course of joint military He added: “I have tried to
that this does not happen.” the Finnish Naval Academy in
proposed whereabouts of ships.
to the SPA. operations abroad, the creation reassure COs wherever I have
On the Royal Navy, Mr Helsinki, with the British group
All mail received up to the
This is a landmark piece of of this new authority is a further gone, that whilst I clearly have my
Houlder said: “The Royal Navy travelling there on Jumo-class fast
Christmas week was processed
legislation, and is the culmination reflection of the increasing need job to do, I am also here to support
has responded exceptionally to the landing craft.
in the BFPO HQ sorting office
of a thorough review of military for a tri-Service framework. the operational effectiveness of
need for someone in my position to Throughout the visit the British
at Northolt and was despatched
justice commenced by the Strategic In becoming the guarantor of fair HM Armed Forces.
have a full picture of the different reservists were accompanied
on time.
Defence Review in 1998. and evidence-based disciplinary “This requires me to understand
nature of the Navy’s work. by officers from the Finnish
When the BFPO sorting office “I have visited most naval bases
equivalent.
closed on Christmas Eve, all mail
had been dispatched; during
that final week, BFPO processed
161,233 packets to Operations Online clothing order
in the UK and the Maritime
Back in Tallinn, after the
Component in Bahrain.
HMS President group laid
“I have seen the Marines in
wreaths in the Anglican
training and in operational theatre,
Church and at the military
Telic and Herrick alone. and have spent time talking and
cemetery, the Estonian Navy
For deployed ships, the BFPO learning with Naval officers and
Ships Section completed 201
dispatches in November and
December totalling 1,363 bags or
system goes on trial
took over hosting duties.
ratings at sea and on land, and on
an SSBN as well.
There was a presentation on
“I feel most privileged to be
the navy and a tour of minehunter
9,672kg of mail. allowed to attach myself to such a
ENS Admiral Cowan – recently
The single biggest dispatch great and honourable tradition.”
more familiar in UK waters as
was to Dubai for HMS ROYAL Navy personnel in HMS tropical kit.
HMS Sandown.
Northumberland on December Ocean and at RN air station Clothing Online
21 – 156 bags which reached the Yeovilton are testing a new project shows what, and Captains of
An exchange of ship’s badges
further reinforced the spirit of
ship for Christmas. which could revolutionise the how many, items of
goodwill.
That kind of dedication paid supply of military clothing. clothing to which an
dividends for Tilly Clifton, Since last month members of the individual is entitled. industry try
Throughout the weekend the
British had the opportunity to
who was awarded an MBE in Logs and Executive department This personalised
explore the cobbled streets and
recognition for the outstanding job and 815 Naval Air Squadron have catalogue is based
she has done in supporting the RN been using elements of the New on an individual’s Navy methods
picturesque squares of Old Tallinn
and to enjoy the lively nightlife,
for 11 years as Air Programmer Clothing Solution (NCS) project. rank, rate, role and
which included meals in traditional
and Section Manager. Under NCS personnel will be function. A LEADING business
Estonian restaurants and a visit to
A number of personnel have able to order clothing via the Personnel are organisation has turned to the
a not-so-traditional (for Eastern
marina
asked for an update on the policy Internet and have it delivered to allocated a points Silent Service to help hone
European, anyway) Irish bar.
on unsolicited mail, or mail sent an address of their choice. credit against which bosses’ teamwork skills.
The battlefield tour was
to operational theatre without a Planners said NCS is in its early they can order Midlands members of Vistage
principally organised by Lts Tony
name in the address. concept stage and there is much clothing or, where the International, which bills itself
Scott and Roddy Urquhart – and
The National Recognition work to do to develop a case for user is not entitled to as “the world’s leading chief
as minewarfare reservists they
Study, published in May 2008, change. free exchange, they executive organisation”,
found the visit to Tallinn’s mine
suggested that members of the Integrating the different can purchase items travelled to Clyde Naval Base
museum of particular interest.
public, charities, companies and elements of the supply chain, from with their personal for a three-day retreat.
Lt Scott had only recently
the media might wish to send manufacturing to ordering, could credit card. There the bosses watched
returned from an exercise with
parcels to members of the Armed bring business benefits for the Nominated unit officers and ratings taking part
HMS Hurworth which had been
Forces on operations. MOD. NCS administrators in damage control exercises in
clearing historic ordnance from
A working group from the Parts of the supply chain and can allocate more
● Online ordering of clothing is under trial
Fleet submarine HMS Sceptre
the coast of nearby Lithuania.
DE&S considered the impact associated systems have been points to entitled and bomber HMS Victorious.
With more than 100,000 mines
on the supply chain of accepting modernised over the years, but personnel if necessary. Parcelforce will deliver the The visitors were let loose on
laid in the Baltic during the two
parcels to unnamed personnel this project looks at the whole All Clothing Online users are orders to the pilot users’ chosen a submarine simulator where
world wars – many remaining
and concluded that it could not clothing supply chain. asked to complete a satisfaction address, be it home, unit or any they were told to stabilise their
unaccounted for – as well as tons
be supported. A major part of the new survey once they have received other convenient location. boat following a torpedo attack.
of other assorted ordnance such
While such items were approach is the pilot of an online their order. For those in deployed ships the The visitors also learned
as bombs, shells and torpedoes, it
appreciated, the increased volume catalogue. Army personnel have The project team then compares BFPO mail service will be used. about the role played by the
is likely the pair will return to the
placed a strain on the supply been testing the pilot since March the pilot system feedback to Potential benefits for military RNR in military and civilian life.
area again at some point in their
chain, entailing extra helicopter 2008 and it was rolled out to feedback on the current clothing personnel include: Vistage chairman Richard
careers.
flights in dangerous conditions selected naval units last month to stores system. Easier, more convenient access Ward said: “As business leaders
marina
which could put lives at risk as understand the specific needs of All Navy personnel can give to clothing; and Vistage members we pride
well as slowing the flow of mail the Navy. their views on the current clothing A personalised clothing ourselves on our teamwork and
It’s your 2-6
marina
from friends and relatives. This pilot is an important store system by completing the catalogue; leadership prowess.
Some items would be available element in project development survey on RNCom – www. More control over clothing; “The officers of the Royal
NEED to get your message
marina
in theatre anyway, or available work, helping the project team rncom.mod.uk/ Better-fitting clothing; Navy showed us how these
across to the rest of the RN?
marina
through alternative routes, and understand how an online ordering Canadian company Logistik More convenient delivery. skills come into play at the
To feature in 2-6 contact
marina
there was also a need to focus system affects the customer and the Unicorp is providing the Clothing For more details, contact: highest levels.
Lt Cdr Gregor Birse (Fleet
on operational supplies such as people, organisations, and processes Online catalogue and help desk
Media Ops), 93832 8809.
marina Mrs Stephanie Hyde, NCS “Throughout our retreat,
ammunition, rations, equipment involved in the supply chain. for the pilot. Pilot Deputy Project Manager, tel we were extremely impressed
and medical supplies. A range of common clothing It has provided a similar service (9355) 68859, email stephanie. at the standard of training
The working group has items have been included in the for Canadian forces for the past hyde121@mod.uk and professionalism of all
recommended that alternative pilot catalogue, including No 3s seven years. or those involved, and how
arrangements should be explored, general working rig, No 4s action DSDA provides warehousing their magnificent teamwork marina Mr John Nother, Logs Spt
in liaison with charities, to allow working dress, C95, a range of and distribution, with staff at Commodities SO1, Ext (93832) empowered them to deal with
the public to show their support associated badges, insignia and Bicester clothing warehouses 5884, email John.Nother280@ a series of potentially-serious
for the Armed Forces. accoutrements, footwear and picking and packing orders. mod.uk incidents.”
News and information for serving personnel
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