| Citation: | New Year Honour. 23492424 Staff Sergeant Geoffrey George Hampshire Brien, RMP. S/Sgt NCO i/c Police Detachment, HQ Allied Forces Central Europe. 22 Feb 1970 - 28 July 1971.Citation: Staff Sergeant Brien has now been 18 months at HQ AFCENT. he is the senior RMP representative of the RMP at this headquarters and was placed in charge of a detachment of 22 international policemen operating at the barracks at Tapijn, Maastricht. The main Provost Branch of HQ AFCENT is based at Hendrik Kamp, Brunssum. He has, therefore, had to accept a large measure of individual responsibility and control. He has shown right from the start that he has high qualities of leadership an a good depth of professional knowledge and common sense. His force of international policemen exudes an air of proficiency, smartness and enthusiasm. One of the most important aspects of his leadership has bee the manner in which he has been able to weld together an international body of men to act with complete cooperation and friendly coordination. Brian has achieved these results not merely by his personal qualities but by his complete dedication to his work for which he is prepared to work very long hours and, at times, to the detriment of his domestic circumstances. Brien spares no pains to continuously advise and guide his men and frequently, travels long distances at night to carry out spot checks and give necessary assistance. The Staff Sergeant's efforts and work were even more outstanding during the last exercise WINTEX for which he was initially much involved in the planning and preparation for police and security requirements at the exercise site and for arrangements for traffic control overall. Thereafter during the last 2 weeks he set up a control section from which he was rarely absent during night and day. The fact that the exercise was free from security incidents and traffic accidents was in a large measure due to the efficient planning and control of Staff Sergeant Brien. Tapijn Barracks is a sensitive spot for possible political incidents and because of the presence of highly classified equipment and an armoury. By their alertness the police were able to counter three intruder attempts over the last 18 months, and there is no doubt that this is due to the excellent organisation set up by Brien who had implemented a new system of guards and patrols. Staff Sergeant Brien has earned the respect of all who have served with him regardless of rank or nationality. He has made an outstanding contribution to police work at AFCENT and has acted always in the best traditions of the British Army and his own Corps. His loyalty and exceptional service and devotion to duty render him worthy of the award of the BEM for which he is strongly recommended.Recommended by: Wing Commander, Deputy Commander, AFCENT. Brig. HQ AFCENT. Commander in Chief, HQ AFCENT. |
