Provost marshal

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A provost marshal () commands a group of military police (MPs). The title originated with an older term for MPs, provosts, from the Old French prévost (Modern French prévôt), meaning "person placed in charge" (literally "positioned at the front"). While a provost marshal is now usually a senior commissioned officer, the title can apply to a person of any rank who commands any number of MPs; historically, civilian officials could become provost mashalls, especially under conditions of martial law, or when a military force had day-to-day responsibility for some or all aspects of civilian law-enforcement (such as in some British colonies). A provost marshal may also oversee security services, imprisonment, fire/emergency services and ambulances.

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