Research Brief: Assessment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) Review Processes and Procedures in Royal Military Police (RMP) Investigation Cases

This paper examines the HET’s review processes and procedures in Royal Military Police (RMP) investigation cases (hereafter RMP cases). RMP cases involve the fatal shooting of over 150 civilians by the British army between 1970 and September 1973. It focuses on an “independent team” set up by the HET to examine all RMP cases. The team is made up of retired police officers from outside Northern Ireland. A number of issues, about the way in which the HET conducts investigations in RMP cases, are considered. Of particular note are apparent anomalies and inconsistencies in the investigation process where State agencies (in this case the military) are involved, compared to non-state or paramilitary suspects. This raises questions about the ability of the HET to undertake independent, impartial, effective investigations in cases involving State agencies.