Military Police

[Xethorsiph]

I was perusing the government types and saw the military police statistic. In the past I ignored this, but in reading several guides on making the emporer jump, I read that this number is critical. They do not however explain what it is. So what do Military police do and what are they?

 

[Aabraxan]

Any military unit with attack and defense values (non-artillery units) can serve as Military Police. They help keep your people from rioting.

 

[Xethorsiph]

So what does the number mean? That I can only have two units within my city before my city riots?

 

[SublimeC]

The number is the maximum number of units per city that will perform military police duty. Each unit up to the limit will make one citizen content; any extra units (above the limit) will do nothing.

 

[MAS]

I was perusing the government types and saw the military police statistic. In the past I ignored this, but in reading several guides on making the emporer jump, I read that this number is critical.

I wouldn't call it critical.

They do not however explain what it is. So what do Military police do and what are they?

If you place 6 units inside a city. (units must have A/D values greater than 0)
Under Despotism, 2 of them give contentness effect to the city.
Under Monarchy, 3 of them give contentness effect to the city.
Under Communism, 4 of them give contentness effect to the city.
Under Republic, none of them give contentness effect to the city.

And republic is still better. Why? Because putting units inside cities ties up your military. it is more effective to use those units to conquer lux resources, those give happiness effect, then you won't need MP anymore. The commerce bonus from republic is enough to pay for happiness via the lux slider, plus more. At least until you've conquered the resources I've mentioned.

Even in the early game, when I have 1 city, and can't avoid being in despotism, I would rather send out my first couple of units to explore and use the lux slider to keep the city working than to tie up my units for MP duty.
That said, once I've build enough regular warriors, I use them for MP and save a few coins until the switch to republic.