Should MPs Be Issued/Wear Badges?

2016-05-12T13:20:10-04:00

I have been in the military almost 20 years. I have worked with Local, State and Federal LEOs. I have worked with and taught Sister Service LEO’s. But what has always got me is that USAMPs are the only Military LEOs that are not issued a Badge. I have heard the old arguments that “Joe” will mis-use the badge somehow someway. But now with LEOSA and Military LEOs able to carry wouldn’t it make sense to issue badges and wear them while on duty.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 1:38 PM

2016-05-12T13:38:55-04:00

At my current duty station, MPs have vest with badge on it at the gate and I think it set them apart from the usual Joe. Badges carry the same affect. In order to ovoid miss use of a badge, tough consequences must be implemented.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 12 at 2016 2:27 PM

2016-05-12T14:27:17-04:00

Honestly, I'm surprised they don't already. Despite the fact that every Marine knows who the MPs are because they're the only ones visibly armed on station, I always would have assumed that they would have been issued badges when they graduated MOS school. Not to mention, I don't know how it works on other bases, but I know our MPs work hand in hand with civilian authorities, so I would have guessed that the MPs would work with LEOs off base as well.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 2:31 PM

2016-05-12T14:31:38-04:00

I voted on the "Badges? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges " when on duty MPs are supposed to wear the brassard showing all show authority they have Provost Marshal has divested to him/her. The PM gets that authority from he Post Commander. The ultimate display of that authority as an MP is the MP's professionalism. Wear a badge and act like a schmuck ... all anyone's gonna see is a schmuck with a badge.
On the flipside, I don't abide with the argument that "“Joe” will mis-use the badge somehow someway" that can be applied to anything ... Why let Joe drive, take leave, have free time? So if Jose abuses that part of the uniform and authority ... I've seen MPs relieved for cause and ART 15'd for less.
Great topic BTW.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 12 at 2016 3:46 PM

2016-05-12T15:46:33-04:00

NDW Naval District Washington, Badge #9. Master at Arms to Chief of Staff Commander Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. I wore a Badge in DC although my primary Rate was Still CTO1 and my Primary Function was as Leading Petty Officer Technical Control CNO WWMCCS.

Response by TSgt William Meyer made May 12 at 2016 5:13 PM

2016-05-12T17:13:41-04:00

In the Air Force we wear a patch on our uniform which displays our badge, also our beret distinguishes us from other airmen. But when I deployed to Qatar we also wore armbands with our duty uniforms.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-05-12T20:50:10-04:00

They wear them here in Hawaii.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 13 at 2016 12:32 AM

2016-05-13T00:32:09-04:00

"Don't mistake your rank for my authority."

Shore patrol in the Navy are under arms and wear cuffs on their arms. There is no doubt about who they are.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 13 at 2016 3:20 AM

2016-05-13T03:20:55-04:00

Issue the badge and hold the GI accountable. In the AF, SPs are issued a badge as soon as they complete tech school. If they abuse it, the commander handles it by Art 15 or other means.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Nov 29 at 2016 12:26 AM

2016-11-29T00:26:37-05:00

My first MP unit issued us badges in 1981 and we wore them on the uniform. However, my second unit did not provide them (in 1983). I don't know why or what the policy is (or was) on issuing badges.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jul 3 at 2017 2:14 PM

2017-07-03T14:14:58-04:00

I assume you are referring to armed permanent Military Police. If so, then Yes give them badges as they should have received the proper training to be armed. But if they are temporary then no, the MP arm band should suffice. Our permanent Shore Patrol (SP) (that being their jobs) might get badges, I can't speak to that. Our other Shore Patrol is made up with sailors from the ship and other ships present that have duty that day and are assigned to be Shore Patrol ashore and report to the Shore Patrol officer that day. I was one of the two Ships Shore patrol officers and all we had, as well as the duty Shore patrol, was SP arm bands, a duty belt and batton! I think the battons would have been better than any badge in a drumken bar brawl!

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 3 at 2017 11:07 PM

2017-07-03T23:07:29-04:00

Hell Yes, next question....Hell Yes, they should have jurisdiction over military personnel ANYWHERE and be authorized to carry concealed EVERYWHERE Nationwide. (Even in California). They should be allowed to act as Deputy US Marshals.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 3 at 2017 11:54 PM

2017-07-03T23:54:41-04:00

We should be issued badges upon graduation, just like you would at the police academy and this goes for retired now that we are covered under LEOSA.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 4 at 2017 2:34 PM

2017-07-04T14:34:41-04:00

Besides the argument "but I just want one because everybody else has one"

I base my answer of no need on my personal observation of 28 years seven months private e1 to Sergeant Major E9 not once not, ever did I come up on the situation where I thought or said "OG he's an MP boy I didn't know that if He only had been wearing a badge"

If the original poster of the question can explain the specific situations where a badge makes all the difference to been identified as an MP in a timely required manner where the supplied ID card would not I'd be all for it but as a non-MP that is had a significant amount of interaction with MPs I just can't come up with an instance or a badge would've made a difference

Response by SFC James Welch made Aug 6 at 2018 10:55 AM

2018-08-06T10:55:13-04:00

Yes,allLaw Enforcement Officers should have a Badge if their Office!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 24 at 2018 12:01 AM

2018-10-24T00:01:54-04:00

Not only yes, but I think that, in the performance of their duties, for example, while on shift, MP's should not wear rank at all, but little badge insignias in it's place. That way you can't have senior personnel try to "flex" on junior MP's.

Response by SSG Ryan Rink made Mar 6 at 2019 11:46 AM

2019-03-06T11:46:12-05:00

1st will that Badge make you better MP or some sort of Super MP Like CPT America and his shield. Would it make you more professional or compassionate?
Do you really think that people (Soldiers and Civilians) don't know who you are or maybe its a inferiority complex that MP's have or something.
How much would it cost the taxpayers and would that MP be help financially liable for damaged, destroyed or lost, stolen Badges, because he uses it to mentally believe he is Bruce Willis. I could go on and on. But for my closing point. We know who the MP's are before they do and that PV2 MP already believes that he is God. As a SSG I'm not standing at parade Rest for you either, here's my license and registration (through the driver's window). And a badge is not going to stop a a$$ whooping on side of the road for treating someone like a mass murderer that only has a busted taillight.
JSIMHO

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Mar 28 at 2019 5:36 PM

2019-03-28T17:36:58-04:00

Issue CaC cards with MP on it!