Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Excuse me if this has been discussed ad nasueam, but I am wondering about this impending transition from MP/SF/MA to DoA/AF/N Police.

This transition is supposedly happening because of the demands being placed on MP's with the War in Iraq and War on Terror. But what happen when these wars end, or at least the troop committment dramatically decreases?

Wouldn't then there be a problem, because the Civilian Police would have taken over policing the bases, but now you have a whole bunch of MP's with almost nothing to do.

Excuse me if this has been discussed ad nasueam, but I am wondering about this impending transition from MP/SF/MA to DoA/AF/N Police.

This transition is supposedly happening because of the demands being placed on MP's with the War in Iraq and War on Terror. But what happen when these wars end, or at least the troop committment dramatically decreases?

Wouldn't then there be a problem, because the Civilian Police would have taken over policing the bases, but now you have a whole bunch of MP's with almost nothing to do.

Good question.

While I don't have an answer based upon factual information, I do believe that the "transition" had begun long before the events of September 11th, 2001. The MP Corps is evolving into a more deployable, combat ready force, and seems to be straying away from the law & order side of things.

That being said, I will comment on the fact that the school house has improved on their law & order training phase, as I observed this last trip around they've even added EVOC to the basic curriculum.

I heard that too about the switch over being planned before the war, I think that this just speeded it up.

So, they only started to teach EVOC now? How did they train MP's in emergency response driving before?

I think they've been transitioning for about 20 years. I don't think the Government can do anything fast except for spend money.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Especially with this administration.

So, they only started to teach EVOC now? How did they train MP's in emergency response driving before?

I was never an active-duty MP but from what I understand, it was taught entirely in-house at whatever installation you were assigned to. I can't even say for sure that every MP assigned to road patrol duties and the operation of emergency vehicles had completed an EVOC course. I know of some who didn't.

Im currently looking at Military options to get useful LE experience. The first thing that comes to mind is usually the Army MP. Will this give me valueable experience to pursue a career, or is MP experience generally not looked upon as that high of an accomplishment? I already have my degree, and my goal is to do investigative work, such as detective or criminal investigator, etc. So now I'm looking for the experience, and in today's economy and competition for LE positions, the military looks like another option for me to get experience. Any suggestions for an MOS?

Im currently looking at Military options to get useful LE experience. The first thing that comes to mind is usually the Army MP. Will this give me valueable experience to pursue a career, or is MP experience generally not looked upon as that high of an accomplishment? I already have my degree, and my goal is to do investigative work, such as detective or criminal investigator, etc. So now I'm looking for the experience, and in today's economy and competition for LE positions, the military looks like another option for me to get experience. Any suggestions for an MOS?

The intelligence/counter intelligence field within any branch is highly sought after within the 1811 community from what I understand.

If you're looking to become an MP to gain law enforcement experience, I must say that you're doing it for the wrong reason. MP may (I must stress may) provide you with a foot in the door to get an assignment as a Military Police Investigator or the MOS of CID Agent. The first of the two usually investigates misdemeanor crimes while the latter investigates felonies.

You've got to be a squared away Soldier to get those assignments, and must have command recommendations. Also, don't think that just because you get MPI or CID that you won’t deploy. A friend of mine who I'm deployed with is an involuntary recall, but while he was active duty he worked MPI in the gang section. He was deployed more than half of his enlistment doing general MP work, nothing to do with gangs, much less MPI.

Also, don't expect to do much road patrol work as an MP. Another former active duty friend of mine spent much of his time in a unit tasked with conducting law enforcement. Out of his 5 years of active service, when he wasn't in Iraq collectively for 2 1/2 years, he spent much of his time working in his unit's armory. I do recall that he mentioned he spent three weeks once working the road, but that was as a "second officer", only because they were short handed. I had another friend who was taken off the road in Germany for a month to fill in as a cook's helper at another installation.

In conclusion, I don't think being an MP is the best place to gain law enforcement experience. Unless you're willing to put in some serious years, I don't think you'll get what you're looking for. It's not like it used to be when the MP Corps was literally the Army's police force. Be a Soldier because you want to serve your country. Plus the Army's transitioning to civilian cops, even at some overseas installations.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks MP Steve. Being a CID agent sounds very similar to detective or PI work. To me, that is very interesting. Also, Im reading up on Military Intelligence Officer. While I would like to become a LE officer, I am also open to other areas of LE (especially involving investigative work, and basically solving problem, because I feel like I could excell at this). So I may talk to a recruiter, and find out what it takes to become a CID agent or MIO.

Thanks MP Steve. Being a CID agent sounds very similar to detective or PI work. To me, that is very interesting. Also, Im reading up on Military Intelligence Officer. While I would like to become a LE officer, I am also open to other areas of LE (especially involving investigative work, and basically solving problem, because I feel like I could excell at this). So I may talk to a recruiter, and find out what it takes to become a CID agent or MIO.

Do not speak to a recruiter about ANYTHING they can not guarantee you in writing. MOS's like Counterintelligence or CID Agent, or identifiers such as MWD (K9) Handler or MPI are NOT entry level jobs. You must get your command's endorsement to attend those schools or reclass to those jobs. Even if you are praised by your command, there may not even be slots open to do any of that.

Recruiters will fill your head with hopes and ideas that may not be readily available within your first 4 or 5 years. They have a job to do, which is get you in, but they will try to fill your head with all the glamorous things that you may or may not ever get to do.

Take whatever they say with a grain of salt.

Once again, thanks MP Steve for your advice. Trust me, I know I need to be careful when talking to a recruiter. But honestly, I don't mind putting in a lot of work if that's what I need to do. Here's the thing. I just got my $40k degree in Criminology, and I don't want it to go to waste! So I guess I am trying to explore all my alternative career options.

I have no criminal record, but because I admit to using drugs in the past, I have run into problems passing the background checks. And I figure that the military can be useful for several reasons. For one, I should be able to get into the military, and get my foot in the door, so to speak. Also, if I have any chance in LE, putting more productive time in between me and my blemishes shouldn't hurt. At least I hope.

I am very confident that I would make a good police officer, but that is not for me to decide. And if I cannot achieve that position, I need to continue moving forward and find another alternative that I can apply my degree to. I guess I could go to law school. But lately with all these background check forms where I feel like I have to prove myself, I am not too eager to have to convince people of even obvious things in a court room on a daily basis! But, I still think I could do it. Anyhow, like I said, I'm just trying to keep moving forward, and start a career! Constructive criticism and advice is always appreciated, so I appreciate it MP Steve.

Once again, thanks MP Steve for your advice. Trust me, I know I need to be careful when talking to a recruiter. But honestly, I don't mind putting in a lot of work if that's what I need to do. Here's the thing. I just got my $40k degree in Criminology, and I don't want it to go to waste! So I guess I am trying to explore all my alternative career options.

I have no criminal record, but because I admit to using drugs in the past, I have run into problems passing the background checks. And I figure that the military can be useful for several reasons. For one, I should be able to get into the military, and get my foot in the door, so to speak. Also, if I have any chance in LE, putting more productive time in between me and my blemishes shouldn't hurt. At least I hope.

I am very confident that I would make a good police officer, but that is not for me to decide. And if I cannot achieve that position, I need to continue moving forward and find another alternative that I can apply my degree to. I guess I could go to law school. But lately with all these background check forms where I feel like I have to prove myself, I am not too eager to have to convince people of even obvious things in a court room on a daily basis! But, I still think I could do it. Anyhow, like I said, I'm just trying to keep moving forward, and start a career! Constructive criticism and advice is always appreciated, so I appreciate it MP Steve.

As you already have your Bachelors, look into the commissioned officer route. You can't exactly pick which way you want to branch out, but you can list a preference. It's based upon the needs of the Army, and chances are with your Crim. degree you'll go MP.

Being a commissioned officer can do wonders for a resume, whether private or government sector (especially). That's what I'd like to do in the reserve once I get my BA, but my current situation in Iraq significantly limits my ability to achieve that in the amount of time I had planned.

Best of luck to you.

I was never an active-duty MP but from what I understand, it was taught entirely in-house at whatever installation you were assigned to. I can't even say for sure that every MP assigned to road patrol duties and the operation of emergency vehicles had completed an EVOC course. I know of some who didn't.

It has been a long time since I was in the Army, but when I was in, you didn't drive any Army vehicle without going to school and getting signed off on it.

It has been a long time since I was in the Army, but when I was in, you didn't drive any Army vehicle without going to school and getting signed off on it.

Your military drivers license gets an endorsement for GSA sedan. From what I understand there is an emergency vehicle endorsement, if you actually attend EVOC.

I am currently serving with two former active duty MPs who have stated that they had never been to EVOC or received any training in any aspect of emergency vehicle operations.

Norm, would it be that hard to believe that the Army would allow you to do something you've never been trained in? For example here in Baghdad, my unit: 1) issued me three weapons, two of which I am not qualified with. 2) has off and on assigned me as a driver to MRAPs and ASVs when I lack so much as a license to drive a HMMWV. 3) The 3 months I was on active duty before I arrived in theater, I collectively received maybe two weeks of training.

I could go on about the situation at our company level, but that's currently pending the outcome of a AR 15-6 investigation into our relieved company commander and 1SG who are more than likely not coming back. ;)

Your military drivers license gets an endorsement for GSA sedan. From what I understand there is an emergency vehicle endorsement, if you actually attend EVOC.

I am currently serving with two former active duty MPs who have stated that they had never been to EVOC or received any training in any aspect of emergency vehicle operations.

Norm, would it be that hard to believe that the Army would allow you to do something you've never been trained in? For example here in Baghdad, my unit: 1) issued me three weapons, two of which I am not qualified with. 2) has off and on assigned me as a driver to MRAPs and ASVs when I lack so much as a license to drive a HMMWV. 3) The 3 months I was on active duty before I arrived in theater, I collectively received maybe two weeks of training.

I could go on about the situation at our company level, but that's currently pending the outcome of a AR 15-6 investigation into our relieved company commander and 1SG who are more than likely not coming back. ;)


Oh I believed you Steve and lets just say that I'm not surprised.