Discussions

Recently went through a vehicle check whereby the CFB Shilo Military Police were conducting a "document verification check stop (not alcohol related). They were checking licenses, insurance and registration for drivers both entering and leaving the base.  
 
Is this a thing? Can a person be stopped by authorities under this guise?  
 
The event happened off base (from what I could tell), west of the vacant guard shack on what I thought was the Spruce Woods road. Does anyone know the jurisdictional boundaries on that road? Where does the base start/end?

The short answer to your question is yes they have a duty and the authority to randomly stop you to check your driver and registration documents.  
 
I cannot copy and paste the sections, but if you search Manitoba Highway Traffic ACT and check out sections 76.1(1) and section 76.1(4), I think you will find your answer.  
 
As for the Military Police authority beyond the base, I could be wrong but I believe they have Provincial Authority, which allows them to police off base.

I appreciate these random check stops. If they can get one drunk driver or unlicensed, unregistered person off the roads, I’m cool with that

How can you say "recent text or calls" should get charged? how can you prove that wasn't made with hands free, or that you pulled over to make a call a mile or 2 before the check stop.  
You are basically saying that if I stopped in the parking lot at gas station just before the base gate to call for directions (which I have done before), then pull up to the check stop at gate I should be charged for using my phone recently?

What if I am driving on any given highway and receives a phone call on my cell. I look for a safe place to stop and call back. After the conversation I put my cellphone away and proceed on the highway. One minute later I got pulled over by a police officer which check my cell phone and fined me for the call I made a minute ago while parked at a safe place. How fair will that be?  
Just asking.

Patrol the base only anything of base,they must be accompanied by the RCMP if it a military matter this is what I understood from talking to base personal

I’m pretty sure they have to catch you in the act of doing a crime.

As someone who grew up in that area. I was always under the impression the mp's could still stop people off base buuuuut all they can do if you are in shit for something is hold you at the base until the rcmp come and take over.  
 
I used to walk from the base home all the time and occasionally got stopped for id checks from the mp's. They have the right to atleast check your id to verify you are from the area and not a threat.

Yes, the police do have the right to stop you to check your license and registration, it's there job and the courts have agreed with this whenever it has come before the courts.  
 
Rivers Police are sworn Peace Officers within the Province of Manitoba, so they can stop you and give a ticket or arrest anywhere in Manitoba. I am not sure on the MP's though, but I would think they would still have the same powers since they are Federal Police.

An interesting tidbit of information. The base is a controlled access area and the guard hut is the entrance. MPs can search every car leaving the base regardless if you refuse or not. MP can request a search of every vehicle entering the base. You can refuse, but you have to turn around and won't be given access. MPs have jurisdiction over any military member anywhere. MP can stop people off the base for an offence witnessed on the base. An example would be someone taking off on the MP or an MP ran the plate and the return came back inactive but the car drove off base. Getting on base is not a right.

Know a guy that believes that since he is a taxpayer he has right to go on the base. Whined about the period that they had the gates active... Couldn't get it through to him that it's a MILITARY base and should be limited access .....

Any enforcement officer can enforce any law since they are powered to do so. Even a Fish and Game officer can stop someone for speeding if they wanted to. My dad was a Conservation officer back in Sask and under extreme measures he enforced the law even though it meant extra paperwork and justification but had the authority to do so. The MP's have a right to police the people who enter the base no matter what and they can deny access to people they do not see fit to enter.

So if I murder someone, I'm off the hook unless they witness me committing the murder!?  
 
Weird!

People don't realize that it's federal land and does not fall under the jurisdiction of many provincial acts. For instance , they sell liquor right off the grocery store shelves.

Military Police are recognized as police officers under the Criminal Code just like municipal police services or RCMP. The applicable section is CC s. 2(g)(i). Therefore the police powers of arrest apply. You can refer to CC. s. 495. As I detailed earlier MP have some unique powers under then ISDR (Inspection & Search Defence Regulations) and DCAAR ( Defence Controlled Area Access Regulations). Traffic tickets are federal tickets under the GPTR (Government Property Traffic Regulations) which allow MP to bridge the MB HTA under GPTR 6(1). If anyone have questions why these checks are being done ask the MP, as long as traffic is not line up behind you. There is a reason they are out there. I wish more police services had the time for proactive police work.