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

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

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.

Good question SPC (Join to see). 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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.