Are Police in the U.S. Civilian or Military?

Question

Please explain. I have my own opinion, but I want to know what you think.

I forgot about military police. Don't worry about them for the purposes of this question.

Answer 1

American police are civilians. Military police are in the military. Two different things entirely.

Answer 2

"Armed Forces" are a law 'unto themselves'. When you enlist, you actually sacrifice some of your standard "Civil Liberties", and are subject to the military laws.

But The USA and other countires are run by civilian governments, Federal, State, Provincial, 'whatever'. They maintain and pay the "National" Police, who work under the counrty's laws.

The Police who do you for theft, drugs, no seat-belt or DWI are civilians.

If there are military involved - the two groups sort out who has jurisdiction - if you're a 'victim' - let the MPs take over. If the 'villain' is found guilty = worse than the "slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket" from so many civilain courts.

Answer 3

Considered civilian but many get training through the military as Security Forces with the intent of becoming police officers so they are technically, military. Not all of them mind you, just that instead of going to the police academy, they go through the military and get hired upon seperating into a civilian job.

I got pulled over by security forces the other day because I only stopped 2 seconds on base at a stop sign where there was no traffic. This dark skinned girl gets out of the car like she's the sh*t, u know, and comes up to the car and takes of her cliche sun glasses and looks at me with those colored contacts and I wanted to laugh in her face because she looked like an alien- honest to God. Anyway, that same "Im a bad@$$ attitude is the same I encounter off base with these people" *By these people, I mean cops* Now I am not prejudice, but when this girl swaggers out of her car and walks with an attitude just because I stopped for TWO seconds instead of THREE, man oh man the last thing I wanted to see was a 5'1 girl with a smirk and alien eyes. .

Now the Italian Carabanieri are cool. They are so laid back that they won't even chase you. They stand in the road with a red sign and if you are going too fast hold up the sign. If you fail to stop, a guy a few meters down the road shoots out your tires. They take your info, you pay the fine right then and are on your way. I have never tested the "shoot out your tires part" but they normally don't mess with me. They don't drive around looking for traffic violaters. When the weather is nice, they stand in a nice spot. They make their money out here with all the accidents.. and believe me there are quite a few.

I can't stand military security forces. They think everything is a friggin movie and they are the tough beat cop. These same arrogant people are the ones getting out of the military to work the streets at home.

Answer 4

Civilian. The military has their own Police.

Answer 5

Regular police are civilian and report to a city, county (sheriff) or state government. They work with the local district attorneys to prosecute crimes per local and state laws.

The US military has its own police forces (Navy Shore Patrol, Army and Air Force Military Police) to maintain order among its troops at US and foreign ports or bases. They work with their own judicial system using the laws of the uniform code of military justice.

Answer 6

Civilian.

On Military Bases, they are most commonly Military Police (which makes sense).

However, Civil Law and Military Law are two entirely different things.

Answer 7

Police officers in the U.S. are not civilians. How you look at this also depends on the way you define civilian. If you choose to consider every American citizen who is not doing military service a civilian then yes they would be. But that is not the test. When you are duly sworn to uphold the law and take and oath to do so you are no longer a civilian. Police officers, whether on duty or off have responsibilities that typical citizens do not.

Another way to think of it is, when lives of innocent civilians are at risk, cops and many other civil servants are excluded from that group.

Answer 8

Police in states, counties, and cities are civilians sworn to uphold all federal, state, and local laws. They are paid by the respective governmental agency who hires them. Military police, CID agents, etc are governed by the military. State and local authorities have no jurisdiction on Federal property unless invited by the federal government.

Answer 9

All police agencies in the U.S. are civilian. They are not connected to the U.S. government at all.The Feds have their own agencies, which are also NOT related to the military. This includes the FBI, DEA, BATF, ICE, etc.

Answer 10

Whatever anyone tells you, a policeman is a public servant. We pay their salaries, and public policy should dictate their behaviour.

Before anyone jumps on me for being against law enforcement, I am no. I strongly support law enforcement. I believe that the same laws that apply to the common man apply to the wealthy, the powerful and the law enforcers themselves.

Otherwise what we have is a police state.