I've heard that civilian police agencies wont hire former military police because of the fact that military law is so different from civian law. does any one have facts to back up or disprove this theroy?
2007-09-26 16:57:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I was a Commissioned MP in the Army and was hired by a civilian agency, don't believe that nonsense, civilian agencies love people that have prior military experience.
2007-09-26 17:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by El Guapo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I was a Military Police officer in the Air Force. This gives you a huge advantage if you're applying for any State or Government Agency where they will be issuing a test you will have Vet preference. Please understand that your Military background will be helpful, but to be honest you will be pretty green on the "civilian police" side of things. Most State Police Departments are made up of a great # of Vets. So, should have no problems find work in this career field, and no they don't have a problem in hiring us military police vets! Good Luck and keep us posted!
2007-09-26 17:09:27 · answer #2 · answered by logicboy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I spent 8 years in the US Air Force, and had no trouble getting a job with the WI State Patrol, and then a municipal agency where I am currently a Sergeant. And I wasn't even MP, I was a Television Equipement Specialist (I didn't even know the Air Force had TV repairman)
Knowing the law is a small part of the job. Knowing where to find the answers is all you really need to know. That isn't that difficult.
Civilian police agencies find military experience a big plus. Think about the similarites... you are used to wearing a uniform, you are used to the rank structure, they know you can take orders, know you can handle stress, know you won't snap if someone gets in your face, know you have a desire to serve, and as any military vet knows, you mature considerably in the military. What college teaches that?
I'd take 4 years of military over 4 years of college any day.
Good luck, I have little doubt you will get the job you want.
2007-09-26 18:35:45 · answer #3 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is just SO untrue. I worked at the Columbus, OH PD and many of our officers had been in the military before joining the department and many were still in the Reserves and served when called, leaving the PD job long enough to serve where they were needed.
Actually, someone in the military would be a better choice for several reasons. One, they already know how to respect the chain-of-command. Two, they already have background checks done and the PD only has to update the information. Three, they already have knowledge of weapons and are usually very quick to catch on to the new rules. Four, they are committed to following rules much more than some young kid off the street who has seen little discipline in his/her life.
Personally, having known officers from both walks of life, I'd say the military personnel were better suited for the job. They took their responsibility more seriously than some young person who was pampered at home and suddenly wants to go into a place where they bucked the rules and got into trouble all the time. From what I remember in the 25 years I worked there, fewer of the former military personnel got in trouble and lost their jobs because they used more common sense and they obeyed the rules more than someone off the street who thought they were a gift to the people. Cocky attitudes just do not go with guns.
Whoever is feeding you this information is full of it.
2007-09-26 18:09:29 · answer #4 · answered by KittyKat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They had to go back 25 years to make the map look a little bit full. If that had been one year you might have had an argument but for 25 years that is all the cases they were able to find. I read some of the stories and did not see a problem with some of them. They had a warrant and in some of the cases found drugs. Do police make mistakes. I am sure that they do. Should military be banded from being cops. NO. They served the country and already have some of the training needed. Look at your facts before you make your opinion.
2016-05-19 21:36:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure you can locate actual documented case files where m.p.s were shown to be favored or disfavored. As a retired cop, I can tell you the real issue isn't the difference between the UCMJ and civilian laws...a six week course can bring anyone up to speed. The real difference is the military mind set vs. police mind set. They're totally different. Police work takes diplomacy, military takes firepower. I'm guessing you may be an m.p., so don't take this next statement personally.
Historically, the armed services have placed servicemen into mp because there wasn't any other MOS they were qualified for. I realize some do volunteer...but a lot are essentially not suited for anything else except standing guard at the entrance to a military installation w/ an unloaded weapon.
Many cops are ex military, just not necessarily ex m.p.
2007-09-26 17:15:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is exactly the opposite civilian are glad to hire former military police they have to go thru the same training as every other officer to get certified in which ever state they will be working in the advantage is that they have experience in law enforcement and are easier to get up to speed then some one who is new to law enforcement
2007-09-26 17:18:21 · answer #7 · answered by tap158 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You heard wrong, former MP, current civilian police officer here.
2007-09-26 17:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carry on.
2007-09-26 17:20:24 · answer #9 · answered by MsW 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋