Do Military make better LEOs in the civilian world?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:10:57 -0500

Who is better trained to be Law Enforcement Officers in the Civilian world?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 9:54 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:54:11 -0500

I think ex-military make great LEOs in the civilian world.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 17 at 2015 10:57 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 22:57:42 -0500

I didn't vote, but according to my civilian LEO buddy, it depends on the age. If the ex-military person is older, that is okay. If the ex-military MP is a first termer, they don't hold out hope. I don't know, it is just what he told me...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 11:02 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:02:30 -0500

That should be a no-brainer. Military are trained in a rigid, ever-changing, often in a fast-paced environment where they have to be ready to use firearms.

Patrolmen deal with no different of an environment and definitely must be ready to deploy firearms. They must also adhere to and enforce local, state, and federal rules, similarly to their time in the service.

Being a 10 year veteran Master at Arms I can attest firsthand how much better it is to have a prior military on the force

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Jan 18 at 2015 8:45 AM

CPL Rick Stasny — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 08:45:01 -0500

I don't know if you could consider it better, but it does give a person a firm foundation to build from. It definitely helps in understanding rank structure and ability to follow orders. As well as working under dangerous conditions. No matter what the background a LE type job is not for everyone. The most important aspect of this line of work is communication.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jan 19 at 2015 9:02 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:02:10 -0500

I stradle the fence, but overall lean to "yes."

Military Vets have the discipline. They have the conformity to a paramilitary environment. They have been inoculated to stress. They're probably not afraid to use their hands if needed. They've normally got a level head.

However, in the flip side, some Military Vets are a bit "heavy handed" with the use of force.....

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Jan 22 at 2015 8:44 AM

MSgt Rob Weston — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:44:23 -0500

It depends on the veterans occupational specialty. Army and Marine MPs, Navy MAs, and AF SPs have the law enforcement background and are able to readjust to Civil LE easier. Ultimately, it is the person not specifically their military background that makes a good LEO.

Response by SSgt June Worden made Mar 9 at 2015 8:56 AM

SSgt June Worden — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 08:56:46 -0400

As a retired Lt. with the New York State Police, having served as an Academy Training Officer and Sergeant, I can honestly say that our former military recruits were better prepared for the task at hand when it involved stress and tactics. As for civilians, most had the upper hand academically. This is not to say that individuals within each of these groups weren't "the whole package." I preferred prior military to say the least.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 9 at 2015 8:57 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 08:57:57 -0400

If you were prudent and excelled in the military, yes you would probably make a good officer, if you sucked, you would still suck!!!

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Mar 9 at 2015 10:55 AM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 10:55:26 -0400

My bride has worked with state police and she feels military vets do indeed make for better civilian law officers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 1:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:47:09 -0400

Service members inherently bring a level of discipline to the LEO ranks that civilians generally do not. They are also already accustom to a chain of command and rank structure. They already have weapons and hand to hand training as well. This along with many many many more attributes make service members better LEO candidates over civilians.

Response by PO2 Pualani Ralph made Mar 9 at 2015 2:48 PM

PO2 Pualani Ralph — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:48:31 -0400

I think Ex-Military would make better LEO's because of the training we have. The basic concepts, gun control, respect, loyalty, risk assessment, leadership, diversity..I could go on but overall I think yes.

The only real difference is the civilians are trained the way that particular department wants them to be trained. We never lose our roots. So Ex-military may butt heads a lot with the way things are taught/ran and that could cause issues.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 21 at 2015 3:55 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:55:40 -0400

I am not a Police Officer; however, I would decidedly say so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:35:00 -0400

One of the reasons to choose a Veteran, regardless of MOS, is they have discipline and understand rank structure. Plus, they can shoot.

If I were an administrator, I'd take a Qualified Veteran over a Qualified College Graduate any day.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:55 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:55:56 -0400

As a TR in AF Security Forces and a civilian police officer I have to admit that the military discipline is a plus, however, I have seen it go both ways within my department. Some ex-military make great cops, others forget that there is no rank structure outside of the military and are terrible with people, which is key to LE. I've seen civilians that I would have swore came from the military, but never joined. Bottom line, ex/current military is typically a plus, but not a guarantee.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Jul 22 at 2015 1:01 AM

SSG John Bacon — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 01:01:03 -0400

But not ex-military Police, For some reason they tend not to transition to Civilian Police very well. Coming from experience.

Response by SSgt Tim Frost made Jul 22 at 2015 3:32 PM

SSgt Tim Frost — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:32:52 -0400

I believe that former military personel have an advantage in the testing process and in assimilating into the police culture. They show up for work, rarely if ever call in sick, look sharp, and can follow instructions both in normal and high stress situations. I have worked with a lot of great police officers, some vets and some not. Both backgrounds bring different things to the table but I do believe that former military have an easier time with their new culture.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jul 23 at 2015 1:46 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:46:51 -0400

I think having military training/background provides a great platform to build upon. Military LEO is a bit different than civilian LEO, but the basic premise is the same. I believe the biggest difference is understanding the Wyatt Earp syndrome and avoiding it's pitfall. I wasn't military LEO, but did a stint as a State LEO when I first got out.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 23 at 2015 3:16 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:16:59 -0400

Since the civilian is not trained at all, someone with some training is going to be better trained. This does not mean that there are not great civilians or terrible soldiers but overall, someone trained, at least a little, is better trained.

Response by TSgt Steve Waide made Nov 8 at 2016 1:03 PM

TSgt Steve Waide — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 13:03:35 -0500

This is a very good question SSgt Private RallyPoint Member. I think that it could go either way. Yes, prior military personnel can bring a different skill set to the table, and the fact that you served in an honorable capacity proves that you can be trustworthy, disciplined, and a trainable mentality. On the other hand, some civilians can do the same thing. They can bring a certain skill set to the table depending on their backgrounds and previous experiences.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 8 at 2016 2:35 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 14:35:57 -0500

the majority of the prior service LEO are better trained and have been stress tested more than the Off the street LEOs... the Key issue is time and experience...