MP to Civilian Law Enforcement; what do civilian departments think of hiring MPs?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:17:39 -0400

I have heard some law enforcment agencies don't prefer hiring MPs, is this true and how come? Just curious since I am set on going into civilian law enforcement.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 18 at 2015 11:35 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:35:36 -0400

What I was told is that the Military Police have habits that some civilian departments don't want to have to train out of you. The rules of evidence, probable cause, and search and seizure are not the same.

This is especially true, I am told, of departments that do not have their own organic academy. I was also told tat getting your AA in Criminal Justice can help in a large way.

hope this helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 11:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:54:17 -0400

Your MP credentials won't mean anything, at least that's what I'm discovering. You'll have to attend a police academy. Everything I've checked says that. It's like you've never been Police before; I'm in California. Not sure where you're headed, but definitely look into that aspect. You'll want to try to sign up for an academy spot prior to your ETS. Some agencies will pay for you to attend, and some will not, or you'll even have to pay to attend the academy. Best of luck!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 19 at 2015 1:11 AM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:11:55 -0400

SPC Seth Lund, good cops always verify, so stop listening to others and apply.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 19 at 2015 9:26 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 09:26:32 -0400

Good question SPC Private RallyPoint Member. I would say it depends. USAMPS has started a pilot wherein eventually all MPs who graduate OSUT and successfully meet/pass the Missouri POST (peace officer standardization test) will also be certified as a police office in Missouri.

It depends, for a few reasons.

1. Some Soldiers, MPs, people with previous experience can be hard headed, and hence to train as they think they already know everything. I would say with MPs transitioning to civilian law enforcement, this could be especially true. So, be humble, and don't be too full of yourself. You have a good basis, but you will still be a new guy... so listen, learn, and don't be a know it all.

2. I would say Soldiers (Service Members) are attractive to law enforcement as they bring discipline, fitness, values, and all the other things you gain in the military.

I think you will find a mixed bag, of former military and former military police.

They key is to make yourself as competive as possible, and be humble.

I applied to be State Trooper (AK) when I was a young troop, as was offered and academy seat, and I applied for the FBI as a young captain, and was offered a position there.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 9:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 09:48:33 -0400

The department I used to work for actually bumped me to the top of their hiring list because of my military LE training. Now, I came in before MO started recognizing military LE school as equivalent to POST training, so I had to go through civilian academy, but it was cake comparatively.

They viewed my prior experience as a bonus to the dept & to other officers. I made FTO in a year at my new dept based on prior experience.

A lot of it, I guess, has to do with the political environment the department is dealing with, unfortunately.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jun 19 at 2015 10:04 AM

SFC Jeff L. — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:04:28 -0400

Legally they can't discriminate on that basis. I encountered the same thing when I got out where I was told off the record by other cops that they prefer not to hire MPs because of the differences in tactics. They didn't want the nonsense associated with un-training bad habits. I doubt it really makes much of a difference these days since the line between para-military LE agencies and actual military is more blurred than ever.

If you're concerned about it, then tailor your resume to emphasize your security, anti-terrorism, and combat training, and downplay your LE training. Either way you'll still have to pass their physical agility test, background investigation, and, in most places, a polygraph.

You might also want to look into US Marshals, Air Marshals, US State Dept, and DHS Police.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 19 at 2015 10:13 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:13:01 -0400

From speaking with local law enforcement in the past, they do prefer hire veterans, especially combat arms, BUT Military Police are difficult because they have to be retrained. The things you take for granted in the military just do not fly in the civilian world.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 11:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:28:24 -0400

COL. Williams is correct. USAMPS is leaning more towards proffesionalizing the Military Police Corps. The Leason plans are writen the testing made they are just waiting for someone to pull the trigger and say go.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 11:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 11:32:14 -0400

I have several MP friends who are on the force in St. Louis, two in SWAT. They never mentioned having any problems with their civilian counter parts regarding difficulty making the transition to civilian law enforcement.

Response by PO2 Brittney Ryan made Jun 19 at 2015 1:03 PM

PO2 Brittney Ryan — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 13:03:31 -0400

Not sure what state you're in but I know in Mississippi they don't have a problem with it

Response by SPC Brian Wilcox made Jun 19 at 2015 4:31 PM

SPC Brian Wilcox — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 16:31:24 -0400

When I applied at several departments I was told that they didn't count being an MP as experience. I eventually did get a job but it took a while.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jun 19 at 2015 7:02 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:02:47 -0400

I know some departments that are heavily staffed with MP vets and reservists. Lately they have become cautious because of the heavy deployment of guard and reserves, leaving them unable to fully protect their communities. So one captain has described being a little gun-shy about guys in the guard and reserves - the department can't survive if half of its staff deploys.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 11:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 23:47:08 -0400

I am a LEO in my civilian job. My agency likes to hire veterans. With that said there is no preference (or prejudice) for MPs.

I will say that I had a former MP in the Academy with me (22 years ago) and at one point the instructors had to tell him "we don't care how you did it there, this is how you do it here".

If you are an MP going to a civilian agency be humble, keep your mouth closed and your ears open there are many things that may be different. At least until you get off probation!

Response by SGT Kristjan Rahe made Jun 20 at 2015 12:28 AM

SGT Kristjan Rahe — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 00:28:49 -0400

My military police experience aided me in gaining my job, but MP training does not in any way come close to civilian law enforcement training. There are extensive differences particualrly in use of force, legal aspects, etc. I was and am proud of my MP backgound but it did not equate to civilian cop training. I always thought that the Army would benefit from a refit in training to make MP training more like civilian or, like the Air Force, seperate LE from the Security /Field side. MPs are an essential part of the Army and I truly believed the Motto 'Of the troops and for the troops' MPs would be better if they were soldiers with a few years under their belt, maybe field MPs, or in my case I worked physical security, then Law enforcement , maybe more like the Master At Arms of the Navy.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Jun 21 at 2015 2:33 AM

SGT Francis Wright — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 02:33:45 -0400

Just show the willingness to go to the Academy and learn something new. You should have no problem being accepted.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 21 at 2015 2:40 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 02:40:09 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, Who cares what people think. Apply to an agency and find out. Honestly, I have had a few motorists on a traffic stops who thought MPs were not real LE and I schooled them up and down and issued them citations.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 11 at 2015 7:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:13:00 -0400

The reaction is varied. I wonder if the bias is police dept centric.

Response by SSG Ralph Jeffries made Jul 11 at 2015 8:14 PM

SSG Ralph Jeffries — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:14:14 -0400

Spread the wealth....
What you learned in the MP Corps has great value. If a department is too narrow sighted to see that, it's not an agency you want to be a part of.

Response by PVT Bobby Bollinger made Jul 15 at 2015 2:32 PM

PVT Bobby Bollinger — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:32:22 -0400

As a professional civilian law enforcement trainer, I can tell you for certain departments in the midwest love to hire prior military, regardless of MOS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 4:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:35:23 -0400

It honestly depends on the Agency. A decent sized Law Enforcement Agency won't dismiss the training you've already had and find a way to utilize it. Also, you have Veterans Preference, which will help you get the job.

Response by SPC George Long made Jul 27 at 2015 11:11 PM

SPC George Long — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 23:11:23 -0400

Interestingly I got out in 1971 and only on the west coast were MP's shunned. Seems the West Coast had their own way of doing things and did not like being told by a 23 year old MP that their actions were unconstitutional. Well many Supreme Court decisions and retraining of the non prior MP's straightened that up...took about 20 years. By the late 90 MP's were in demand due to how violent crime had become and MP's had experience dealing with armed violent criminals and gangs. If your back ground and schooling are up to speed you will have no problem becoming a civilian in law enforcement. But if your file stinks you will not get hired. Good MP who are recognized as such inside are easy hire outside. My family goes back to 1932 in LE and its been the family business a long time.

Response by SMSgt David Popwell made Sep 26 at 2015 1:18 AM

SMSgt David Popwell — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 01:18:14 -0400

I am a Chief of Police, 47 person department in Florida. I would take any Military Police (Army, Navy, USMC, USAF or any military person) they receive hiring points due to any military experience.
All military have an advantage, they know chain of command, follow orders, show up on time, do the job, give 110% and put service before self above all else. I am always looking for former military come to Florida.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2015 2:53 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 02:53:05 -0400

I've heard both sides - it appears that it depends on the LE agency and it's leadership, the way the run it! During TRS, I've had quite a few of MP's with me, and ALL were going to be a LEO after they get out, and I've talked to them about the whole stigma, and for the most part, they had a positive experience. One particular PD told one of the guys he needed to wait a bit after getting out to be normal again - something along those lines, don't quote me. Personally, if I was a hiring official I'd prefer veterans with those skills, as long as he/she isn't unstable or crazy.. :D

Response by SSG Mike Sommer made Oct 17 at 2015 11:54 PM

SSG Mike Sommer — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 23:54:48 -0400

Police departments nation wide are having a hard time finding qualified PEOPLE. They don't care where you came from they care if you are qualified. Its a tough process to get through. Test, Oral board, background check, psychological, academy, coaching trip.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 10:46 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 10:46:28 -0400

I think that no matter what department that you apply for, each one will evaluate differently. Some are more pro military than others. While it shouldn't be a negative factor, you are more likely going to be competing with current and former law enforcement children and friends. If you are thinking of joining the military reserves, there are usually quite a few LE that drill. Or if you have some LE friends, feel out the organization first.
If you want to be a cop, apply. Don't worry about stupid rumors from people who didn't get hired because they have something hiding in their past that caused them to get disqualified. Then they claim that they were discriminated against because they were military.

Response by PFC Kathryn Eubanks made Nov 21 at 2015 2:31 PM

PFC Kathryn Eubanks — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 14:31:36 -0500

I left the Military Police and was hired by the State of Oklahoma Police within a year of separation.

Response by SP5 Mark Cunningham made Jul 27 at 2017 7:05 PM

SP5 Mark Cunningham — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:05:36 -0400

I would choose a federal agency, pay your 7% of the pay you received in the military so you can count your military time towards your federal civilian retirement. Feds have a far superior retirement than any civilian agency. When I first got out of the Army an officer with a suburban agency outside of Chicago told me the Chief would not hire Vietnam Vets cause he was afraid we would go up on a roof with an M-16 and go off! I was later hired into a federal agency and due to life situations went to work for a couple of County Sheriffs after that. I used my federal experience to over shadow my MP days. Then I got wise and went back into the federal side of thing and am now retired w/full benefits into retirement at the same rate I was paying when I was with DHS.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 6:49 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 06:49:19 -0500

Military service gets 10 points "veteran preference" so are usually hired

Response by SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell made Nov 21 at 2022 11:45 PM

SGT Gerald “Jerry” Harrell — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 23:45:01 -0500

I had no problem. Granted that was in 1989 lol. That said, with recruitment as it is for law enforcement agencies….. they would be happy for applicants and over the moon for qualified applicants. I retired as part of the administration of a 150 person department. Former active military is generally always a plus.
Just remember that you still have to interview and test. Be confident and not cocky, admit your shortcomings and if your opinion is asked…. Give your opinion and not what you think they want to hear. If you believe what your saying you can defend it better.