Department of the Army Civilian Police

Design and layout of the United States Department of the Army Civilian Police and Guard Badge

Department of the Army Civilian Police are the uniformed civilian police officers of the United States Army. They are also referred to as DoD Police. The Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP) are responsible for law enforcement on U.S. Army–owned and –leased buildings, facilities, properties and other U.S. Army assets. It is important to note that "Department of Defense Police" is a phrase that refers to any civilian engaged in police duties for the Department of Defense and its component branches of the US Armed Forces. There is no one unified agency that goes under the title "Department of Defense Police". There are several police forces that use the title "DoD police", such as the Pentagon Police, Defense Logistics Agency Police, Navy Civilian Police (NCP), Army Civilian Police (DACP), Marine Corps Civilian Police (MCCIVPOL) and Air Force Civilian Police (DAFCP).

Civil service series 0083

A Department of the Army civilian police officer (DACP) is assigned the federal occupational series code "0083", the code reserved for police and federal protective officers in the civil service. Some installations have detectives, which share the same occupational series code as police officers. These detectives investigate minor crimes that are not pursued by a special agent from CID. Beginning in FY 2011, the Installation Management Command began replacing contract security guards (CSG) with Department of the Army Civilian Security Guards (DASG). These civilian employees, GS-0085 series security guards, perform the primary access-control functions at Army installations.

Duties

At many installations, Department of Army Civilian Police officers augment military police personnel. Some smaller installations have only civilian police present. The officer can expect to perform a variety of law enforcement roles.

One major function of a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to conduct force protection duties. Department of the Army Civilian Police officers also conduct law enforcement patrols within the installation. Officers patrol the installation and check that physical security measures such as fences and lighting are in good working order. An officer can conduct traffic stops for motor vehicle violations. Each base adopts the surrounding state's motor vehicle laws under the Assimilative Crimes Act (see Federal Jurisdiction). There are two types of citations that may be issued: the DD Form 1408 Armed Forces Traffic Ticket, and the DD Form 1805 Central Violations Bureau Violation Notice (CVB). The type of citation(s) issued are authorized at the local command level. The DD Form 1408 does not have any monetary fines associated with it. The DD Form 1805 Violation Notice does however establish fines and a hearing system through the U.S. Magistrate. Department of the Army Civilian Police officers and military police personnel respond to all calls for law enforcement assistance that take place within the installation. If the crime is found to be a major felony, then the matter is generally referred to the special agents of the applicable military investigative agency (CID, Army Counterintelligence, NCIS, OSI, FBI, etc.).

There are increasing opportunities for participation in specialized roles. Department of the Army Civilian Police officers may serve as K-9 officers or members of a special reaction team (SRT).

Requirements

A major requirement of any potential Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to pass a medical exam. There is typically an uncorrected vision requirement, candidates must have normal color vision, depth perception, and sufficiently good corrected vision.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers are required to obtain and maintain a "Secret" clearance. The background investigation must show the candidate to be free of substantial debt or foreign influence. Under the Lautenberg Amendment, officers cannot have any convictions for domestic violence. Some installations may require an interview with the candidate.

Candidates are currently required to take and pass a physical fitness test. This test is a modified version of the test that is required by military members. Army regulations require the officers pass this test annually, something not typically required of local city or town police officers (though they may take one in their respective academies).

Whether or not a candidate has to attend a DA academy (see "Training" section below) depends on both the installation and the officer's experience. A candidate who has attended a federal DOD, Veterans Affairs or the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) academy is typically excused from attending a DA academy. As of 2014 the Department of the Army is no longer granting waivers to any patrol level officer, all interested candidates must now attend a 9-week academy at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Training

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers must attend a (resident) police academy approved by the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG). The U.S. Army sends their civilian officers to a police academy that is a minimum of nine weeks long. A waiver of training may no longer be given by the OPMG, unless reclassifying from an 1811 (Federal Agent) to 0083 (Federal Police). Or transferring from another 0083 (Federal Police) agency and have completed a DoD approved or VA approved course.

There is one academy in Missouri. They give an overview of topics such as IED detection, basic patrolling techniques, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, physical security concepts, and other police skills. This academy is designed around the specific needs of the US Army, and do not resemble a state or FLETC run academy. The curriculum in these academies is based upon the same topics that a military member would learn in their advanced individual training schools after basic training. Annual in-service training for the DACP (sometimes called "annual sustainment training") normally totals about two hundred and forty hours a year. This refresher training is conducted in conjunction with the officer's military member counterparts.

Officers selected for a position on an installation's special reaction team (SRT) must attend the same training as their military counterparts. Training is held at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers are highly trained and skilled professionals, many of whom have prior law enforcement and military experience. Post 9-11 Police Departments have tightened their professional standards. Both classroom training and physical training have been intensified in response to real world terrorist threats.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers wear typical police style uniforms, more often than not in a shade of dark navy blue. Many installations now issue solid navy blue or black BDUs/TDUs for officers with cloth badges and name tapes. These uniforms are worn with bloused pants and combat style boots. The pattern and style of Badges and patches is dictated by Army Regulation.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers carry pepper spray, a police baton (typically an expandable ASP), handcuffs, radio, spare ammunition (45 rounds, or three magazines of 15), a X-26 Taser, latex gloves, and other commonly seen police equipment such as a CPR mask. Bulletproof vests are issued. During higher threat conditions, officers could be equipped with Kevlar helmets and other protective equipment.

The vast majority of officers working for the branches of the Armed Forces are armed with the M-9 pistol. The military does not normally use hollowpoint ammunition due to the Hague Convention, however the Department of the Army has recently authorized the use of hollowpoint ammunition for DACP and Military Police law enforcement duties due to recent incidents involving active shooters on military installations. Thus, Department of the Army Civilian Police officers working on a military base have ammunition loaded with full metal jacket and/or hollow point ammunition.[1] Department of the Army Civilian Police Detectives can be armed with the M11 pistol. Other firearms that may be issued include the Mossberg 500 shotgun and the M16 rifle or M4 carbine.

Department of the Army Civilian Police vehicles vary widely, with vehicles ranging from Chevrolet Silverados to Ford Explorers and even Jeep Cherokees. However, most installations and agencies use the Ford Taurus or Ford Explorer. Vehicles may be marked or unmarked and utilize emergency blue and red lights from a variety of manufacturers.

Fort Irwin Police Department

The Fort Irwin Police Department (FIPD), a component of the Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP) are the uniformed civilian police officers of the United States Department of Army (DA) on the Fort Irwin Military Reservation, California. They are also sometimes referred to as Department of Defense "DoD" Police. The FIPD is responsible for law enforcement and security services on DA owned and leased buildings, facilities, properties and other DA assets. It is important to note that "Department of Defense Police" is a catch-all phrase that refers to any civilian engaged in police duties for the Department of Defense and its component branches of the US Armed Forces. There is no such unified agency that goes under the title "Department of Defense Police".

Civil Service series 0083

A Fort Irwin Department of the Army Civilian Police Officer is assigned the federal occupational series code "0083", the code reserved for police and federal protective officers in the U.S. Government civil service. This occupational series code applies regardless of what specific agency of the officer works for. Individual installations conduct the hiring process based upon local need, thus a person applying for a 0083 police officer position can apply to any installations that may be hiring. The FIPD has a Detective Section and those federal officers assigned to the section share the same occupational series code as the police officers. These detectives investigate both felony and misdemeanor crimes. The Department of Army's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigates all felony related crimes that has an Army interest which includes civilians as well as Soldiers.

Duties

At Fort Irwin, the Department of the Army Civilian Police are assigned to the Director of Emergency Services. Active duty military police members help augment the Fort Irwin Police mission. Officers can expect to perform a variety of security and law enforcement rolls.

FIPD Officers also conduct security and law enforcement patrols within the installation. Officers patrol the installation and check that physical security measures such as fences and lighting are in good working order. An officer can conduct traffic stops for motor vehicle violations. Each base adopts the surrounding state's motor vehicle laws under the Assimilative Crimes Act (see Federal Jurisdiction), for civilian violators and service members if there is no equivalent charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). At Fort Irwin, the type of citation that is issued is the DD Form 1805, United States District Court Violation Notice, which carries a monetary fine. Violators may be required to appear before a federal magistrate.

FIPD Officers respond to all calls for law enforcement service that take place within the installation. Fort Irwin is located in the high desert region of the Mojave desert. It has a total area of approximately 1,100 miles. Fort Irwin has a population of 4,960 active duty, 5,103 family members, 3,469 civilian employees and 4,000 to 6,000 rotational personnel at any given time. Within its territory on its western side lies the NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex.

The Fort Irwin Police Department (FIPD) consists of just over 75 officers. Fort Irwin Police Officers maintain full powers of arrest for misdemeanor and felony crimes committed within their jurisdiction.

There are increasing opportunities for participation in specialized roles. FIPD Officers may serve as Detectives, Traffic Accident Investigators, and K-9 Officers.

Requirements

Actual requirements vary from between service branches, agencies, and installations. There are, however, a few requirements that are nearly universal. A major requirement of any potential officer is to pass a medical exam. Candidates must have normal color vision, depth perception, and sufficiently good corrected vision. Additionally, candidates may take a psychological exam.

Nearly every officer is required to get and maintain a U.S. Government "Secret" clearance. The background investigation must show the candidate to be free of substantial debt or foreign influence. Under the Lautenberg Amendment, officers cannot have any convictions for domestic violence.

Candidates are required to take and pass a physical assessment test (PAT). This test could take the form of the same type of test that is issued to military members. Some installations require the officer pass this test annually, something not typically required of local city or town police officers (though they may take one in their respective academies).

Whether or not a candidate has to attend a DA academy depends on both the installation and the officer's experience. A candidate who has attended a state or FLETC academy is typically excused from attending a DA academy if they have worked 12 consecutive months of law enforcement within the 36 six month prior to start date. In addition to meeting these requirements, a waiver packet must be assembled by the candidate, and it must be sent to the Office of the Provost Marshal General for approval.

Training

New FIPD Officers, with no prior law enforcement experience, will attend Fort Leonardwood for training. They cover typical police academy topics such as firearms, defense tactics, baton training, OC aerosal spray exposure, Taser exposure, basic patrolling techniques, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, physical security concepts, and other law enforcement skills.

Officers selected for a position on an installation's Special Reaction Team (SRT) must attend the same training as their military counterparts. Training is held at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri also. For K-9 Officers, the training is held at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.

A vast majority of training received by officers at the FIPD is received at local police and sheriff's departments.

Equipment

FIPD officers wear typical police style uniforms, in a shade of dark navy "LAPD" blue. Some tactical and K-9 officers are now issue solid navy blue BDUs/TDUs with cloth badges and nametapes. DA badges and patches may vary widely between agencies and installations.

FIPD officers carry pepper spray, a police baton (typically an expandable ASP), handcuffs, radio, spare ammunition, latex gloves, and other commonly seen police equipment such as a Taser. Bulletproof vests are issued. During higher threat conditions, officers could be equipped with Kevlar helmets and other protective equipment.

The vast majority of officers working for the branches of the Armed Forces are armed with the Beretta M9 92F pistol. FIPD detectives are armed with the Sig Sauer P228 M11 pistol. On duty FIPD officers are armed with patrol weapons such as the Mossberg or Benelli shotguns, the M4 carbine rifle or MP-5 sub-machine gun.

FIPD police vehicles vary widely, with vehicles ranging from Chevy Tahoes to Ford Explorers, pickup trucks and cargo / tactical vans. However, the most widely used patrol vehicle is the Chevy Impala or Ford Crown Victoria. Vehicles may be marked or unmarked and utilize emergency blue and red lights from a variety of manufacturers.

Notable events

Officers killed in line of duty

  • Police Officer Harry S. White[8]
  • Forest Ranger John Sidney Mott[9]
  • Police Officer Albee V. Forney[10]
  • Sergeant Dennis H. Marcotte[11]
  • Police Officer Patrick Sirois[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "8 Hollow-point bullets OK'd for post police". Armytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  2. ↑ "Authorities ID Fort Bliss Gunman as Retired Army Sergeant". Fox News/Associated Press. 2010-09-21.
  3. ↑ "Bliss Gunman was Retired Army Sergeant". Military.com. 2010-09-21.
  4. ↑ "Man With Land Mine Arrested at Ft. Gordon". Military.com. 2010-06-16.
  5. ↑ Hylton, Hilary (2009-11-06). "Fort Hood Hero: Who Is Kimberly Munley?". Time.com.
  6. ↑ Schapiro, Rick (2009-11-12). "Civilian cop Mark Todd was REAL hero whose shots ended Ft. Hood masscare, says his mom!". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  7. ↑ "Fort Drum issues statement on soldier's shooting". MyABC50.com. 2008-02-10.
  8. ↑ "Police Officer Harry S. White, United States War Department - Muscle Shoals Nitrate Plant Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  9. ↑ "Forest Ranger John Sidney Mott, United States Department of Defense - Fort Bragg Conservation Law Enforcement, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  10. ↑ "Officer Albee Volney Forney, United States Department of Defense - Walter Reed Army Medical Center Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  11. ↑ "Sergeant Dennis H. Marcotte, United States Department of Defense - Selfridge Air National Guard Base Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  12. ↑ "Police Officer Patrick Sirois, United States Department of Defense - Fort Hood Police Department, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
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