An interview with Lieutenant Dieter Unterassinger from the Military Patrol & Military Police about foreign missions, challenges and special investigators.
Lieutenant, you are currently working as a logistics officer for the Military Patrol & Military Police – what kind of job?
As a logistics officer, I am responsible for equipping the right personnel with the right equipment at the right time. The job mainly revolves around coordinating all the equipment components so that we can deploy our support services for the troops accordingly. However, I am also responsible for sending the right people to the respective missions abroad.
You were in Kosovo yourself in 2011 as a platoon commander. How would you describe the tasks of the Imagine military police?
Our mission was to maintain public order and security. Structurally, we were embedded in an Italian battalion – we were the smallest element and were responsible for tasks such as gathering information as well as for contacts with local authorities, the local police and the population. This also included reconnaissance activities along the marching routes. However, we also set up checkpoints in cooperation with the Kosovan police and were constantly on standby for law enforcement operations in the event of demonstrations. We clearly felt the general rejection of KFOR there. Paint bags and stones were thrown at our people and there were also incidents of gunfire. Thank God nothing happened. All in all, a very challenging but interesting task.
What is most demanding in Austria?
The short-term nature of the assignments, because we are primarily service and support providers – so-called force providers. Our assignments cannot be planned in advance. I may have to coordinate special investigators for a foreign assignment within a week – to ensure that all equipment is available and that all employees are available.
You can also read the report “Flags, investigation & protection” from our troop visit to the military patrol & military police.
