MPs not allowed as civilian LEO?

[Springfeildkid585]

I am a current college student, double majoring in criminal justice and psychology. I have been in talks with a recruiter for the United States Marine Corps, my planned MOS is Military Police (becoming an Officer via PLC option.) I ran into a friend today that strongly advised against this, he claimed that civilian Police Departments were not allowed to hire MP's because military law is very different from civilian law. It sounds fishy to me, and this particular is not to be noted for his intelligence, but I wanted to follow up and do alittle research. After all, I'd rather ask a stupid question than end up being the stupid bugger who can't continue his career after leaving the Corps.

 

[Dennis The B]

I believe your friend is a bit short on actual knowledge. The civilian law enforcement agencies are full of military veterans; and you would probably get "brownie points" for prior military service.

I wouldn't give too much credence as to the differences between civilian laws and the UCMJ.

In the city I reside, there are lots of military veterans on the local PD.

And, if you have any doubts, I'm sure that local PD's would be happy to provide you with information for employment with them after your military service is complete.

 

[Faulkner]

It's BS. We absolutely hire military veterans and those with MP or SP experiance would get a preference with all other qualifications being equal.

 

[galena]

In my experience a lot of civilian agencies value past military LE/Security types. You will have to complete a civilian LE academy to be certified in the state where you want to work once you seperate, but you should have a leg up on the other students because of your experience. In my old AF outfit we had several reserve agents who were LE types in civilian life, and in my current civilian dept we have several former military LE types.

 

[Kanewpadle]

It is BS. My freinds son just got out of the Marine Corps. He was in Security Forces (MP basically). He has several departments after him to join.

A great number of cops that I know are prior military. And they weren't Navy Seals either.

 

[yaktamer]

I guess I must have snuck in under the radar. Most departments prefer military experience (especially Marine Corp). In my experience, they don't really care that much about your MOS. Even though I was an MP, I'd recommend someone planning on a civilian law enforcement career to pick something else. You'll get all the law enforcement training you'll need in the academy/on the job. Having a marketable skill in another field gives you more options if law enforcment doesn't work out or after you retire or for a side business. These days, MP's don't do a lot of patrol-type work. It ain't cops and robbers, it's guard duty, convoy escorts, quasi-infantry etc.

 

[jaykellogg]

As others have said, this fellow doesn't know what he is talking about. With a 4 year degree and Military justice experience I would be looking into one of the Government agencies, BATFE, FBI, Postal Inspectors, (probably not border patrol). With the US government it is possible your military time would count for seniority. I believe it would in the Post Office.

 

[yaktamer]

As others have said, this fellow doesn't know what he is talking about. With a 4 year degree and Military justice experience I would be looking into one of the Government agencies, BATFE, FBI, Postal Inspectors, (probably not border patrol). With the US government it is possible your military time would count for seniority. I believe it would in the Post Office.

Some state and local agencies also allow you to "purchase" credit in the retirement system for prior military service, although a lot of pension systems are undergoing changes these days so your mileage may vary.

 

[DeathGrip]

My friend is prior Secret Service and now works for the local PD.

Something about 2008 and change.

He's much better off now. Two baby girls. They're so cute.

 

[Class III]

Your friend is absolutly incorrect. Here is a link to the story that was in the Memphis Commercial Appeal last week. New class of Shelby County Sheriff's deputies takes ex-Marine as its president » The Commercial Appeal. I also had a customer this morning that is a captain with Memphis PD. She has been on for 19 years. Prior to going to MPD she was with the US Army as an MP stationed last at Ft. Sam in SAT.

Class III

 

[4506517]

Hmmmm.......we hire veterans, but your friend is correct in that military policing is different than civilian......similar, but different. From my understanding, there is a focus on what I was told is DL&O (Discipline, Law, & Order). We don't operate quite like that.

Most states have standards for LEOs and I don't know of a single military police certification that transfers to civilian law enforcement. You'll have to get certified in the state you live in. In my state there are similar, but different again, certifications for deputies and municipal officers.

In short, military policing may help you acquire some basic LEO skills, but in my opinion they are two different jobs.

 

[straightshooter1]

Our Academy classes have many, many vets and they generally do well.

One issue is that many, maybe most, of our local agencies do not hire tobacco users and that seems, I've been told, to cull out many otherwise qualified veterans.

I'm teaching a new recruit class starting next Monday, and I will bet 25% (about) will be veterans.

Bob

 

[Texas Star]

When I took a police exam many years ago, I had a 5-point veteran hiring preference. I made a score in the mid-90's on the written exam, and the vet score gave me a 100 points. But some had a 10-point preference for being wounded, or something. Check your local department.

There may also be hiring quotas for some races. Maybe not officially, but I'm quite sure that many departments hire partially on a race and gender basis.

I've nver heard of a department that rejected veterans.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I ran into a friend today that strongly advised against this, he claimed that civilian Police Departments were not allowed to hire MP's because military law is very different from civilian law.

I have an ex-BIL whose mind "worked" that way.

 

[nicky4968]

You were obviously speaking to an expert. In my business we have three types of witnesses: liars, damn liars, and experts.

 

[Iggy]

Expert.. Ex spurt.... A former drip under pressure....

 

[rwsmith]

I'm sure some re-orientation is.....

I'm sure some re-orientation is required because of the differences but that is worth getting an experienced applicant.

 

[safearm]

In Mississippi, if a veteran has completed military law enforcement and been assigned and qualified in LE duties (by assignment of MOS, AFSC, etc.), they do not have to attend the 10 week state LE academy, only the 3 week refresher. They must also have less than a 2 year break in service between military and civilian LE employment.

 

[4506517]

10 week state LE academy? Seriously? Our academy was 5 months not including 16 weeks of field training. Our training isn't even the longest in the state. There are agencies that are MUCH longer.

10 weeks? That's scary. You don't learn NEARLY enough about LE in 10 weeks.....wow.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

Thank you all, I was relatively certain he was mistaken. As I said, he's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.
I am aware that there are definitely differences between civilian and military law enforcement and that I will still have to attend the civilian police academy in most states.