Can a Captain arrest a Colonel?

Question

I saw a movie where a captain put a colonel behind bars.

Answer 1

I would really not recommend that you believe everything you see in movies, first of all. I'm sick and tired of people looking shocked and referring to "Hostel" any time I mention that I visited and stayed in Slovakia--if people are thick enough to actually believe movies like that, then hey--fewer annoying tourists to deal with next time I go to a beautiful, inexpensive, and non-touristy country like Slovakia.

That said, in certain circumstances a captain can arrest a colonel, yes, and usually in the capacity of official duty, such as being an MP or on guard duty (not that captains generally ever pull any kind of guard duty). In fact, most MP's who make arrests are of even lower rank than captain--they're usually privates, specialists, and various ranks of sergeant. You don't usually find colonels acting out of line or doing stupid things like getting drunk and getting into fights; but if one were to theoretically be so self-destructive, then yes, a lower-ranking MP could can his ***.

Answer 2

In any branch, yes, it can happen if the Captain is an MP and arresting a Colonel, or in the Navy's case, a Lieutenant arresting a Captain. But I know in the Marine Corps, even a Private MP can arrest a Colonel, but a Staff NCO or an officer MP must be present when the arrest is made.

Answer 3

A lot of ppl are saying that "as long as the arresting person is an MP" then they can arrest anyone...this isnt quite true.

The power of arrest doenst come from the fact the person has a police uniform on. They dont automatically obtain super arresting powers when they don thier cap in the morning.

The powers of arrest are obtained through the regulations that apply the authourity at the time.

The above instance of the "lance-corporal (or Specialist) HAS to have been given the authourity by a level equal to or greater than the rank of the person being arrested.

That means in order for our lower-ranked Captain to arrest a Colonel...he must have been issued (either through duty orders..or superior authourity) the right to do so.

If our little MP sees a Colonel drunk and disorderly...he cannot arrest him without first obtaining the right to..from another level (probibly the Provost Marshal or duty field officer). It is in the name/rank/title of this higher authourity that the arrest is made.
The answer is Yes...with an..."however" attached to it.

Answer 4

I'm sure there are provisions in the UCMJ where a Colonel can be relieved of duty and/or arrested by a subordinate, if, for example, the Colonel has lost his marbles completely, or if the Colonel is caught red-handed in some illegal activity. Things like that.

Answer 5

If he is ordered to by a Brigadier or a General ,yes.

By the way a Captain in the Navy is an equivalent rank to Colonel in the Army.

Answer 6

The answer is yes. As an above poster put it, a fresh e-1 can haul an 0-9 in.

When a soldier who is on duty and is acting in his capacity as "law enforcement", he is officially and legally (per UCMJ) acting as an officer of the court. This supersedes whatever rank you may have. Period. There are precisely zero exceptions to this. Additionally, our phantom e1 on motor pool guard duty can detain and arrest our o-9. Again, it is not rank but serving in an official capacity.

So yes, an E5 can haul a bird colonel in as long as the E5 is acting in his official capacity of MP, SP, CID whatever.

Answer 7

The Captain was most likely a 'military law enforcement officer' (Military Police, Shore Patrol, etc.) with the 'unusual' authority to arrest a senior officer, usually in a peacetime situation.

Answer 8

Yes... but mostly it's best if you leave the arresting to MIlitary Police (such as yours truly). But you answer your question, if the Colonel is breaking UCMJ then yes, he can be detained and arrested.

Answer 9

Yes . . . in the codes of military justice for various countries there are specific reasons why a superior officer can be arrested or relieved of command. Certainly even an enlisted man or an enlisted rank in the position of a military policeman can arrest a superior officer . ..

Answer 10

Lowest rank in British Military Police is a "Lance Jack" a Lance Corporal. He has the power to arrest any rank in the Britsh Army, even a General if it came to it.