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thedrifter
01-10-09, 04:15 AM
Civilians take on MP duties at crossroads, nationwide

1/9/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va — Civilian police officers have slowly begun to take on military police duties in an effort to allow many of the Marines currently holding those positions the opportunity to train and deploy more often with operational MP units.

About 20 prior service members, police officers and civilians have been recruited for the Civilian Marine Police Program since it was established in 2005.

‘‘We target former service members for recruitment, although all civilians are eligible, because we want to emphasize the respect, customs and courtesies aspect,” said the commanding officer of Security Battalion, Col. Rich Anderson. ‘‘You’ll see them saluting officers at the gate and rendering the appropriate military respect and courtesies to all.”

Besides having the traditional values of a service member, these individuals are also familiarized with the physical standards that go along with it.

Anderson explained that applicants must pass a physical fitness test and maintain a certain body fat percentage as well as be medically able to perform duties required such as manning the gates, patrolling, handling K9s and serving on the Special Reaction Team.

Along with the physical tests, individuals must pass a nine-week training course at the Civilian Marine Police Academy at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

These civilian police officers are given the same authority, jurisdiction and power of arrest as the MPs and receive even more law enforcement training as Marine MPs do initially.

Upon completion, officers are assigned to the Marine installation they applied at and can transfer to other Marine bases, or even other DOD installations if they choose to do so.

‘‘It’s beneficial because my wife is a Marine, so everywhere she goes, I can go,” said Officer Steven Brown.

Another benefit is a more stable and continuous police force since there are no deployments, Anderson added.

This is a long-term change. Anderson explained that within the next three years, most continental U.S. Marine installations will have 60 percent civilian Marine police officers and 40 percent Marine MPs.

Individuals who are interested in becoming a civilian Marine police officer may contact PMO for more information.

Ellie