Russia will finalize setting up its military police force by 2012, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.
The idea of setting up military police units has been mooted for years, mainly in the context of brutal hazing and bullying practices in the Russian military.
"The creation of military police has entered its final stages with the focus on legal aspects," the ministry said in a statement. "We are planning to finish this work during 2011".
The ministry used extensively the experience of foreign countries while developing the concept of the introduction of military police in Russia's Armed Forces.
Military police are generally perceived as being responsible for policing military facilities, enforcing military discipline, and investigating crimes in the military.
Russian media earlier reported that some 20,000 personnel would be involved, the majority of them reservists.
RIA Novosti
