I am currently in an MPI position and with no credentials. Can the commander write a memo for me so I can do MPI duties?

You're stuck till you have the school. There is still plenty you can do. There is still tons of leg work that needs to be done on investigations. You need to know how to take statements and collect/log evidence without thinking about it before hitting school.

See if you can get the text books from somebody that has already been and read them. It is not a super hard course, but there is tons of information getting thrown at you. The more you got down before you go the better.

I know this has been answered several times over already, but AR 190-30 states installation provost marshals will ensure candidates have completed the Military Police Investigator's Course at USAMPS prior to performing investigative duties AND issue credentials only after completion of the course.

SFC (Join to see)
You won't be able to obtain creds until you finish MPI school. You can assist with interview and investigations but you are not allowed to run your own cases. I had MPI school en route to Germany last year and it took a couple months until I was able to get my creds so I was unable to run my own investigation. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me as I am currently an Investigator in Grafenwoehr, Germany. I'll help in any way possible.

As i remember you will have to finish V5 school prior to receiving your Creds. The school is what allows you to legally sy that the investigating were done iaw the way your were trained. I went to V5 back in 97 and that was the case then too.

I can't comment specifically, but I will make a general comment. Credentials and responsibilities are often combined for specific duties due to a legal requirement. For instance, if you do something without being properly trained, educated, or without a proper credential, even though your intent may be good, and something goes wrong, you and/or the company (or entity you represent) could be in serious trouble.

Until you graduate MPI School and receive your Creds. You'll be schlepping probie.

No you can't rwcieve creds until your have finished school AND your ojt process signed off by your supervisor....you shouldn't even be working cases by yourself...until complete with the process

I personally attended MPI school and attained the additional skill identifier. You would be able to perform certain aspects as an investigator as a Senior MP, however without Credentials and not having an allocation for a V5 spot. You will not be able to identify as MPI.

When I was in the Army, I was a 95BV5, I worked MPI. I Was an Evidence Custodian & Investigator. I never went to school, the NCOIC, always reallocated my class slot. The creds were always locally issued, there not DA issued creds. They are endorsed by the Provost Marshal, or Post Commander. Your higher ups just need to get the paperwork done, that's all. Good luck.

SFC (Join to see) You are an MP already, so I am assuming that you are simply going to be in "assist mode" until you have completed the training to "certify" you for the job. You should essentially be serving as #2 on cases, much like you would be upon graduation, and until you get your legs under you. I would take this time to learn about the transition from MP to MPI and essentially latch onto a squared away investigator and essentially let that person take you to "school". Formal training is what it is, and sets you up for the job, provides a solid foundation for you to grow on, however the value of solid local knowledge is irreplaceable, when learning the ins and outs of the job. And while many things are standard, there are always location specific preferences within commands.
Being an investigator is significantly different than being a traditional MP. Good luck. MPI was (cannot speak to it now) a very good school, a lot of information passed in a relatively short time frame. It will set you up for many opportunities down the road.

I know in the Navy the CO can, but usually you will be in a CID billet and will for FLW in route, then get what we call an Naval Enlisted Classifier (NEC 2002) or an identifier in the Army. Used be before the PSD course was established (NEC 2009), you also were the PSD overseas for the CO or other HVIs.

I spent 6 months in MPI waiting to go to school. You have to be V5 to have creds and work cases solo. You can assist other MPI on cases and learn. Other than that, you're going to be the additional duty guy. (Evidence room, AWOL, Civilian police liaison, etc)

It ha been many years since I worked MPI but last I remember the answer was no, It is required that you go through school first in order to be credentialed. You can OJT if the Commander allows it but you can't get credentials.

Hey battle I'm in MPI school right now, it's brutal but I am definitely learning a lot! I graduate March 8th so mabey we will see each other in passing. Best of luck to you!

You will not be authorized certain things, such as the issuance of credentials until you are awarded the V5 ASI. As far as evidence custodian goes, that is something that can be delegated to another position 31B20 or higher (311A series included) see 195-5, its not exclusively an MPI duty. Also IAW with 190-30 you won't be authorized a civilian clothing allowance until you're awarded the ASI. The best thing for you to do is determine purview IAW 190-30 and 195-2 Annex B. There is no difference in authority between MPI and a regular patrolman; just expertise and virtue of duty position. You may still wear civilian clothes if it is authorized by the commander or Provost Marshal. Ensure if you're taking over as NCOIC that the case tracker is up to date and that your subordinates aren't spending too much time (case review every week) review with PM every 30 days) on having cases open. Other than that, all other tasks are implied. Also, coordinate with other agencies (CID, FBI, OSI, NCIS etc.) to advance your own training as well as that of your soldiers. Ya know, NCO stuff.

Back in 1984 When i became a MPI We had no credentials to show for. Just the CID.

I can't speak for today's current regs but I was in the same position years ago and I was credentialed . Being school trained does not cause you to be credentialed. The school is just like any other service school. You get an additional skill identifier on your MOS. Credentialing is up to the local Provost Marshal. In fact I was working as a credentialed investigator for over a year, then I went to the school enroute to my nest duty station. When I arrived all of the MPI slots were filled and I wound up as a Desk Sgt. I never again worked as a credentialed investigator.

Continue with your training and OJT. Look into going to any Local and state Investigation courses you can. MPI will only give you a credential, but not make you an investigator.

Your commander has some discretion. Go with what your command says.

Lots of information. I was in the same spot before. The commander can write you a letter to carry out official duties. I'd recommend a MFR just to CYA.

Writing a memo does nothing but tell the commander he is putting somebody in the position. Your orders did that already. You must attend school to be official, but anybody can work the position of investigator as long as the person in charge has credentials. You would just work up under that person.

As an MP you can investigate, enforce, and uphold all regulations you are allowed to enforce on your base. Mp's can take statements, participate in investigations, (with guidance from CID), and do all kinds of things. You can do just about everything CID can. Just work with them and learn as much as you can until you go to school. Good Luck.

I was an MPI as an A1C and didn't go to school until I was a SrA. You can perform all the duties but will not be credentialed until after MPI School. Unless the regs state you are not allowed to carry out the assigned duties.

Continue to soldier on in your current position as an MPI assistant/helper. Learn everything you can about the actual duties and responsibilities of an Military Police Investigator. Take a lot of notes, that will help you when you go to school in March. Read SGT William's comment again, he is right on with his information and guidance. And Good Luck with your future assignment as an MPI Investigator.