These Soldiers Defend The Rule Of Law
- US Naval Academy
Stew Smith, CSCS, is a Veteran Navy SEAL Officer, freelance writer, and author with expertise in the U.S. military, military fitness, and its traditions.
The Army’s Military Police play an integral role is securing other military personnel and property at home, foreign bases and in forward bases in war zones. The Military Police, or MPs, also are trained in corrections and confining of inmates, prisoners of war, investigations and mobility security support around the world. Their main job is to protect and preserve the rule of law.
The Army categorizes this job as military occupational specialty 31B.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer
The process of becoming a police officer requires a significant investment of your time. The duration varies and depends on how quickly and accurately an individual completes the forms and assessments. This also depends on the police agency you apply at.
The CPS states that their process takes between 3-6 months to complete. The RCMP doesnt provide a set duration for the entire process their cadet training takes 26 weeks. At the VPD, the recruit training alone takes up to 44 weeks in total.
Generally, you can expect to set aside 6 months for your application process. We recommend that you contact the police agency that youre interested in to find out how long their process takes from start to finish.
Is A Career As A Military Police Officer Right For You
A day in the life of any police officer is tough, but it can be that much more so for military police. This is definitely not a job for just anyone. Military life can very very rewarding, but also quite difficult. It is also a tremendous commitment. Unlike other careers, you can’t just quit the military. Any decision to enter into a career as an MP should be undertaken with sincere and thoughtful consideration.
For those who are up for it, though, working as a military police officer can be a rewarding career in its own right, or it can be a wonderful stepping stone on your way to other great criminal justice jobs. A military police career can provide valuable and indispensable experience for any civilian or federal law enforcement job.
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What Is The Military Police Officer Salary
When youre in the military, you dont get paid based on your job title but according to your rank and years of experience.
That being said, the Army generally promotes its service members at a faster rate than other branches, so they would be the go-to branch for rising a little more quickly in rank . Keep in mind, though, that the Army military police salary wont differ from the pay youd get as a police officer in other branches.
The most amount of money you can make on a military police officer salary is just over $16,900 per month, but dont get ahead of yourself. That pay is for the highest-level officers with 40 years of service.
Lets get down to some real numbers ones you can actually plan on achieving. What is the salary of a military police officer? Though it can vary widely, the military police annual salary for the majority of police officers falls between $39,000 and $45,000.
That equates to approximately $3,200-$3,750 a month. This also means that the bulk of military police officers fall somewhere between the ranks of E-5 to W-1, depending on their years of experience.
Everyone has to start somewhere, though. The military police starting salary at rank E-1 for less than four months of experience is just $1,694 per month, meaning that the average salary for military police of the lowest rank is just around $20,000 per year.
Municipal Police Force Salaries & Benefits
In comparison to the federal police force, the municipal police agencies offer slightly higher salaries.
The Calgary Police Service offers a starting salary of approximately $66,000/year.
The Vancouver Police Department offers new hires $70,154/year with an incremental increase to $90,198 after 3 years. Benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental benefits and a BC Municipal Pension Plan membership.
The Toronto Police Service has a starting salary of $63,564.98 for their cadets. After year 3, police officers receive an annual salary of $90,836. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, parental/maternity leave and more.
Considering that the median income for individual Canadians was $36,400 in 2018, according to Statistics Canada, the starting salary for a Canadian police officer is an attractive one.
When deciding between the federal or municipal level, keep in mind that while the RCMP might have a lower salary, the role involves police duties at the international, federal, provincial and municipal levels with a much wider variety in operational and administrative opportunities.Some specializations that are unique to the RCMP are: Integrated Border Enforcement Team, National Security, Marine Services, International Peace Operations and many, many more.
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How To Become A Military Police Officer
If you’re interested in becoming a military police officer, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 36.8% of military police officers have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 6.3% of military police officers have master’s degrees. Even though some military police officers have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Training Information For Mos 31b
Job training for military police requires 20 weeks of One Station Unit Training and on-the-job instruction in police methods in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.
Youll learn basic warrior skills and use of firearms, military and civil laws and jurisdiction, investigating and collecting evidence, traffic and crowd control, security, mobility support operations and arrest and restraint of suspects.
Military police also train in non-lethal and lethal capabilities. Operations include peacekeeping, disaster relief and teaming up with foreign military and civilian law enforcement depending upon the location of the base military operations being conducted.
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What Does A Military Police Officer Do
There are certain skills that many military police officers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed communication skills, empathy and good judgment.
What Is A Military Police
Overview
If helping others is important for you, but you are also looking for a stable income and a job where career advancement is possible, becoming a military police officer might be the right choice.Military police are employed by armed forces in the U.S. and perform duties somewhat similar to civilian police, even if their role is more complex. They ensure base security, investigate crimes, control traffic, and enforce the law.As a military police officer, however, you might also be deployed to battle areas, where you would function as both soldier and peacekeeper. Providing security on military bases and performing patrols and make arrests. Overseas, in battle areas, you secure camps and outposts and perform police duties in occupied areas.
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Best Jobs After The Military For 2022
Not everyone who joins the Armed Forces spends their entire career in the military.
Therefore, upon completion of their military service, many members move on to jobs in the civilian sector.
There are several military careers that qualify Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines for excellent job opportunities outside of the military.
Here is a list of the 15 best jobs for service members to seek after the military.
One of the most sought-after professions in the legal field, paralegals are responsible for helping out with the day-to-day activities of lawyers.
They differ from legal secretaries in that paralegals have a deeper understanding of the law and how its interpreted.
Paralegals essentially work under the direct supervision of a practicing attorney and can tend to many of the same tasks that lawyers do.
According to Indeed, the typical salary for a paralegal hovers around $52,000 nationally.
Obviously that number can be much higher, depending on the firm at which you work, your experience level, and your location in the U.S.
Some of the military jobs that would prepare for a career as a paralegal include:
What Military Police Do
The Armys job description for MOS 31B, Military Police, includes the following:
youll protect peoples lives and property on Army installations by enforcing military laws and regulations. Youll also control traffic, prevent crime, and respond to all emergencies. Youll conduct force protection, anti-terrorism, area security, and police intelligence operations. Youll also train in corrections and detention, investigations and mobility, and security around the world.
Compare that to the Navys Master-at-Arms job description:
The Law Enforcement and Security community provides a wide range of critical services to every part of the Navy including:
- Security and physical protection
- Training others in security and shore patrol duties
- Security advising
- Waterborne security patrol and interdiction operations
- Preliminary investigations into Uniform Code of Military Justice violations
- Crime prevention programs
As you can see, the descriptions of the duties may vary, but the basic job requirements are very similar.
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Promoted Stereotypes Judge Says
In his decision, Pelletier said Lacoste, as head of military police officer training, should have been setting an example at the official holiday function.
“On the contrary, he appeared obviously drunk in the eyes of subordinates and civilians and indulged in remarks that undermined the dignity of people and the promotion of stereotypes which obviously cannot be tolerated within a disciplined military organization concerned with respect for the dignity of every person,” Pelletier said.
In a plea deal, Lacoste was convicted of drunkenness and fined $2,800, an offence and sentence that will not show on his criminal record or prevent promotions.
In the court martial document, Lacoste said he deeply regrets his behaviour and apologized to the victims.
What Is The Difference Between Military Police And Law Enforcement Officers
Military police are law enforcement officers who specifically work with military personnel and can be deployed into combat. They have expanded responsibilities compared to other law enforcement because they also have the duties of a soldier. Law enforcement officers are civilians that maintain law and order as part of a local, state or federal agency.
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How To Become A Police Officer After The Military
1. Start Planning Early
If you are an active service member who is interested in a law enforcement career, it is never too soon to begin your research into determining whether this is something you truly wish to pursue. If the answer is yes, consider creating a rough timeline for when you wish to complete the necessary steps, which might include getting the Verification of Military Experiences and Training form, applying for a job, preparing for exams, applying to college and more.
You should also begin planning and writing yourKSA statement. While only federal law enforcement jobs require this narrative summarizing the attributes that qualify you for a given position, the exercise of creating this statement will prove valuable for any law enforcement position including with a municipal, county or state agency.
2. Understand the Transition & Seek Out Transition Assistance
The Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program is designed to prepare you for some of the most important aspects of civilian life, including post-military careers. TAP provides information, tools and training to help you and your family prepare for and navigate the experience of transitioning from military service to civilian life.
The Transition GPS Curriculum
Meeting Career Readiness Standards
3. Gather Information About Different Agencies and Departments
4. Get Your VMET
5. Apply for the Job
- A letter of interest
- Completed application
- Recommendation letters
6. Prepare for Exams
Judge Notes ‘excellent’ Career Record
Lacoste is a decorated veteran, having served as a soldier in the former Yugoslavia and later as a police officer in Afghanistan. He also earned recognition for his volunteer work. Early this year, the provost marshal awarded him the Sacrifice Medal to recognize a serious injury he sustained while deployed.
Lacoste’s service was noted in his sentencing decision, as were his mental health conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder and excessive drinking, for which he said he obtained treatment.
The judge said his “excellent” career record suggested that “the actions he committed constitute probably isolated misconduct.”
He was also ordered to read the Operation Honour guidelines, which Lacoste would have been in charge of communicating to and enforcing for his students and staff.
“The French expression is: ‘Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.’ Nothing changed,” Drapeau said.
“We haven’t got the Canadian Forces leadership cadre that understands what’s required and understands to live by the rules, and understands that nobody should be above the law, whether you’re chief warrant officer or a general.”
The Canadian Armed Forces has not announced who will replace Lacoste.
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The Application Process For Police Officer Candidates
It isnt easy becoming a police officer. Potential candidates need to go through a stringent application process designed to weed out those who dont have what it takes to become outstanding police officers.
Police officers help maintain peace and order and ensure that members of the community stay safe. This job comes with immense responsibility. The application process itself is not for everyone.
Canadian police agencies generally follow the same process which involves a series of tests, checks and interviews, including:
- A polygraph exam
- A background investigation
Some of these tests require detailed paperwork but minimal preparation. For some tests, like the physical tests, you would be best prepared if you did a fitness training program, prior to, depending on your fitness level. Other tests, like the polygraph exam, require no preparation at all.
Applicants can be declined at any point in the stages listed above and even if a candidate passes every stage, an offer of employment is not guaranteed.
Once you have completed all assessments, your entire application package is reviewed and measured against other applicants to determine the most suitable candidates for the role as a police officer.
If you are recruited, you can expect a conditional offer of employment that allows you to advance to the final step before you become a police officer: cadet training.
Military Police Officer Responsibilities:
- Patrolling the facility to detect and address security breaches.
- Utilizing your combat and weapons training to maintain the safety of our grounds.
- Investigating and addressing suspicious activity on time.
- Detaining trespassers and violent individuals for transfer to another facility, if applicable.
- Transporting dignitaries, government officials, and criminals between stipulated locations.
- Traveling to foreign territories to set up and defend military camps, as required.
- Wearing the correct gear and remaining identifiable when on duty.
- Greeting and interacting with superiors and subordinates in the prescribed manner.
- Working alongside staff, including trained animals, to fulfill your obligations.
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This Is A First Step For Many Who Seek A Career In Criminal Justice
Most people who choose to enter into careers in criminal justice and criminology do so because they’re service-minded individuals looking to help others. Of course, they also want career stability, excellent training, and opportunities for advancement. There are few better places to get all of those than serving with the military police.
From Security Guard To Police Officer
While there are a fair number of employment opportunities, as you have seen in the information presented in this article, policy agencies hire only the most suitable candidates. So you need to do what you can to ensure that your application stands out from the rest.
Police agency recruiters advise applicants to significantly improve their chances of being selected through:
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What Do Police Look For In A Background Check
The background exam is a very thorough investigation of the applicants past. It is common for the hiring parties to speak to colleagues, family members, neighbours, landlords, as well as present and past employers. This helps to determine whether you have a track record of high ethical standards in all areas of your life. You will be required to provide your criminal record, driving record, credit history, and history of alcohol and drug use. Additionally, you will need to pass a polygraph exam that shows whether you have been dishonest or deceitful in answering any of the questions throughout the application process.
When applying to police agencies, you will be disqualified if*:
- You have matters pending at a criminal court
- You participated in any indictable offenses. These offenses are the mostserious of criminal activities, which include murder, sexual assault, and terrorist activities.
- You have a criminal conviction that has not been pardone.
- You participated in less serious criminal behaviour or activity within one year of applying. These activities are referred to as summary conviction offenses under the Criminal Code. They include illicit drug use, theft, and impaired driving.
- You have been dishonourably discharged or dismissed from any other law enforcement organization
- You have a pending or current personal bankruptcy