Posted on Oct 13, 2015
SFC Military Police
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I am currently in an MPI position and with no credentials, my school is not until March. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? Can the commander write a memo for me so I can do MPI duties? Has anybody faced this kind of issue I need help…

Benish
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SGT William Howell
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Edited 10 y ago
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.
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TSgt James Reilly
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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.
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SGT(P) Military Police Investigator
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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.
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SFC Military Police
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
Graf? I put in for an RFA for a TMP car... With obrian (not sure on the name) did u guys hear anything about that?
Thanks for the response though and my school date is not until March... Blah!
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SGT Military Police
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>1 y
Sorry SSG Theobald, that is going to be with the NCOIC. I am currently in the middle of a PCS so I'm gone. Either call the office or e-mail one of the guys and they should be able to get you a status update.
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SGT Tim. Wilson
SGT Tim. Wilson
>1 y
Spent a lot of time in Graf, back when the unit was 536th MPs. Then moved over to Vilsec when it was still a little po-dunk post. I know that things have changed in the last 30years. Still wish I was in.
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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?
SFC Transfer Specialist / Precert Nurse
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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.
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CMSgt Mark Schubert
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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.
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SGT Francis Wright
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Until you graduate MPI School and receive your Creds. You'll be schlepping probie.
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SSG Military Police
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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
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SFC Military Police
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
Yup, I am not working any cases I’m just here trying to help out with whatever I can... So basically I can’t do anything?
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SSG Military Police
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10 y
Nothing you can do...the creds are issued through the PM but the name checks and background are FORSCOM level and they will want you to be school trained...back in the day, we use to vet you for an out process and give you creds until your school date but ar 190-30 outlines everything now
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SFC Military Police
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
Ya I already had my CRC check done... Just waiting on school date... March is the latest they can send me... Thanks for the input input in do appreciate it
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SFC Timothy N. Livengood
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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.
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SSG Mark Metzler
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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.
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SSG Mark Metzler
SSG Mark Metzler
9 y
I also was issued my clothing allowance as well. The V5 is on my DD FORM 214 when I retired in 1994.
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SGT Tim. Wilson
SGT Tim. Wilson
9 y
Yes, Mark is correct for our time period, really not sure about today though. I was given creds when I was stationed in Korea but had to give them up when I came back stateside. At that time if you hadn't been through the course then it was up to your CO and the Provost on who got creds and worked the unit, but once you made it through the course the creds assigned at graduation became permanent, even if you were not assigned to an MPI office.
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SGT Steven Bolander
SGT Steven Bolander
11 mo
I'm certain that the issuance of MPI creds are now dependent upon completion of the MPI school. However, during my service time in the early to mid 1970's, all of us who were already working as MPI's prior to the creation of the school were automatically grandfathered in as V5's without having to attend it. (Had I continued my career with the Army, I'm sure I would've had the opportunity to eventually attend the MPI school.)

Consequently, when the Army-wide official MPI creds were created, they were issued to all of us "old-timers" without any problem since it was the local Provost Marshal who had the authority and discretion to issue/sign them.
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SGT Steven Bolander
SGT Steven Bolander
11 mo
SGT Steven Bolander - By the way, I host a Facebook group page where there's a wealth of information from current and former MPI's regarding this and many other related topics. It's called "Victor 5: Military Police Investigators" and qualified individuals are welcome to join us.
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CMSgt James Nolan
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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.
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SFC Military Police
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
Thanks for the response
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