United States Marine Corps Police

The United States Marine Corps Police is the name given to all law-enforcement related duties and persons, within, or to do with, the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

Not to be confused with United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division.

United States Marine Corps Police
Badge of USMC Military Police
Country United States
AllegianceUnited States
Branch United States Army
TypeMilitary Police, DoD Police
Part ofU.S. Department of the Navy

Organisation
Cpl. James Willaman (foreground), a military police patrolman and Patrol Officer Tony Brienza (background) at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, at main gate.

There are generally two main types of Police in the USMC.

The first is the active duty military Marines who are "Military Police". Their military occupational speciality for non-supervisory (MOS) is 5811.[1] For supervisory it is MOS 5803.[2] They are generally divided into the following sub-groups.

  • Provost Marshal's Office (PMO) (base law enforcement)
  • Law Enforcement Battalions (combat support or "field MPs")

The second is the civilian, who are the USMC Civilian Police, properly called the "Marine Corps Law Enforcement Programme" (MCLEP). This is made up of civilian federal police officers.[3]

Training
USMC MPs during training.

USMC MPs undergo basic training, as all Marines do, but then go to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (a US Army installation), where they undergo the Military Police Basic Course.[4]

The USMC trains its civilian MCLEP officers through its Marine Corps Police Academy Basic Police Officers Course (BPOC) which provides them with the tools to do the job, alongside their active duty counterparts.[5] This includes law enforcement training, force protection, first-aid, self defence and firearms.[6]

Duties

The duties of the USMC Police (civilian and military) are as follows:

  • Ansewering clals for service
  • responding to emergencey calls
  • Force protection
  • Access control
  • Active shooter response
  • Crime prevention/physical security
  • Traffic control.[7]

This is typically done through the following ways:

  • vehicle patrol
  • foot patrol
  • communications.[8]

There are options to work as a despatcher and promote to supervisory positions.[9]

Uniform and Equipment
USMC MPs stand in front of a K9 vehicle Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Uniform

USMC Military Police (MPs) wear standard USMC uniform, but with a USMC Military Police badge (shield), generally on the left side of their uniform (for general base law enforcement duties).

This is generally the "Blue Dress C" (khaki long-sleeved shirt & tie, blue trousers, white peaked cap) or "Blue Dress D" (same as Dress C, but with short-sleeve shirt and no tie). Alternatively, the Service Uniform (green and brown) may be worn, or the Utility Uniform (MCCUU) (combats).

Civilian MCLEP officers wear a dark blue uniform, similar to other DOD Police, but with "Marine Corps Police" shoulder patches and a USMC Police badge (shield).

Equipment

The equipment for USMC Police (MPs and MCLEP) consists of a M9 duty sidearm (pistol), expandable baton, OC spray, two-way radio, Taser, handcuffs, torch and gloves. Other weapons include the M1014 Joint Services Combat Shotgun[10] Equipment will be worn around the waist on a duty belt, with shield on left breast.

Vehicles
USMC Police Vehicles at MCLB Barstow. The vehicles assist police officers with duties such as patrolling areas, responding to incidents and transporting criminal suspects.

For base law enforcement, marked police vehicles are used. These are similar to other DoD Police and civilian police vehicles. They are generally equipped with red/blue lights, siren & PA system, computers and radios.

See also

References
  1. https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Units/Southwest/Marine-Corps-Detachment-Fort-Leonard-Wood/MPIC/Military-Police-Basic-Course/
  2. https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/how-to-become-a-marine-corps-police-officer/
  3. "Marine Corps Civilian Law Enforcement Programme (MCLEP)". Camp Pendleton. US Marine Corps. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Units/Southwest/Marine-Corps-Detachment-Fort-Leonard-Wood/MPIC/Military-Police-Basic-Course/
  5. https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Unit-Home/MCLEP/
  6. https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/ppo/Units/Security-Division-PS/Law-Enforcement-and-Corrections-PSL/SELE/Police-Academy/
  7. https://www.cool.osd.mil/usmc/enlisted/5811.htm
  8. https://www.cool.osd.mil/usmc/enlisted/5811.htm
  9. https://www.cool.osd.mil/usmc/enlisted/5811.htm
  10. https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/ppo/Units/Security-Division-PS/Law-Enforcement-and-Corrections-PSL/SELE/Police-Academy/
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