Any tips for an MP with 2 years thinking about transitioning into civilian law enforcement?

I would also go Reserve as many of your law enforcement brothers will belong to many of these units..doing many different MOS' It's sort of like a club or go talk with a Reserve or NG unit during weekend drill. or PD as many who followed in your same path can offer you advice... and tell their tale. Many times the First Sgt or Sgt Maj.. will be law enforcement.

My advice to you is apply now to as many departments you can in the location you're interested in. The hiring process is roughly 6 months on average and you might not get selected to your top choice. So I'd apply now

Since you already have a degree, I would definitely recommend state or federal level law enforcement. Better pay and benefits than a local department. If you do go to a local department, they'll be happy to hire you, but your MP time will pretty much amount to just good experience. I've had to go get recertified on everything I had in my 9 years on active duty.

It’s a transition but not bad. You’ll have to go through POST academy. Legal issues are more specific but the structure is less discipline intensive. Good luck.

Unless you simply live the city life and the daily driving around a town I would strong look into becoming a State Trooper. Not saying local LEO duty is a bad move. Either way you can check when and where the next recruitment exams will be held for either State or local. There are more laws a civilian LEO has to have knowledge of that an MP but the transition isn’t all that difficult.

I would test the waters and submit an application so you can see the in depth background questions they ask you Be honest as you will be given a polygraph. Make sure you are in shape and study the national police test. Once complete talk over your background form with the recruiter to make sure your good to go If all checks out I would say go for it. The sooner the better as some police departments have sweet retirement plans. Understand that you will do police academy and star from the bottom again, but your experience will show and you will promote quickly. If you have a GI bill you can use it, ask recruiter, while in police academy and while under probation, if its the 911 then thays a bah payment monthly for the area your in at the e5 without dependents rate. I hope this helped.

First know what you are getting into. Military police is totally different than civilian police. As a Security Forces member in the Air Force carrying a weapon for 21 years I did not want to step out and be a target in the civilian world. Carrying a gun and wearing a uniform makes you a target 24/7. Use your skills and youth to go finish school and be what you really want to be. Do not be a Security guard somewhere look into physical, personnel, information, or industrial security in the federal government.

My two pennies…

Regardless of what you decide to do, just keep your options open. You might have to take an entry-level position just to get your foot in the door. Experience is good, but it isn’t everything.

The transition is actually fairly easy; however, do not let your time in the military go waisted.. Go into the Reserve, get your 20 year letter so you are eligible for retirement from military service as well as civilian. I'd take the civil service tests before getting out though so you have somewhere to go as soon as you come off AD. It can take up to a year or more for the entire civilian process (test to hire). Go talk to someone at the Soldier for Life office (formerly ACAP), they should have leads for you and test dates.

Have you considered applying for a Special Investigator with civilian employers?