Department of the Army Civilian Police

Last updated
Department of the Army Civilian Police
US Department of the Army Police-Guard Badge.png
Badges of the Department of the Army Civilian Police / Guard
AbbreviationDACP
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency United States
Operations jurisdiction United States
General nature
Operational structure
Parent agency United States Department of the Army

The Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP), [1] also known as the Department of the Army Police (DA Police), [2] is the uniformed, civilian-staffed security police program of the United States Army. It provides professional, civilian, federal police officers to serve and protect U.S. Army personnel, properties, and installations. DACP personnel represent the Department of the Army's contribution to the Department of Defense Police program. DACP law enforcement officers primarily work alongside the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, the Army service members who hold law enforcement military occupational specialities. DACP officers are supplemented by Department of the Army Security Guards, who are uniformed and armed federal security officers, primarily responsible for entry control and basic security tasks. Although the Army Criminal Investigation Division employs civilian special agents, it does not fall-under the DACP nor DoD Police umbrella.

Contents

Civil service series 0083 (Police)

A Department of the Army civilian police officer (DACP) is assigned the federal occupational series code "0083", the code reserved for federal police officers and detectives in the civil service. These detectives and police officers investigate crimes that are not pursued by the CID.

Civil service series 0085 (Guard)

US Army Civilian Guard badging ceremony US Army Civilian Guard badging ceremony.jpg
US Army Civilian Guard badging ceremony

A Department of the Army Guard (DASG) is an armed, uniformed, civilian guard that provides physical security and access control at US Army locations, in conjunction with DACP. [3] [4] [5]

The uniform is almost identical to DACP, but with "GUARD" rather than "POLICE" on the shoulder patch and badge. [6] The equipment and firearms are the same as DACP. The authority and jurisdiction are also identical to that of a DACP which is described in detail in the Jurisdiction and Authority section below.

Jurisdiction and authority

According to the Department of the Army Regulation 190-56 (2013), [7] both the Department of the Army (DA) Civilian Police (CP) and Security Guards (SG) have the authority to apprehend individuals who are found to have committed felonies, misdemeanors, breaches of the peace, threats to property of welfare, or actions that are detrimental to good order and discipline.

The authority for AR 190-56 originates from the US Constitution, which provides Congress the power to impose rules and regulations over the property of the United States (U.S. Const. art. IV., § 3, clause 2 [8] ). Congress then authorized the Secretary of Defense, military commanders, and other authorized military officers to create defense property security regulations such as AR 190-56 (Internal Security Act of 1950, 50 U.S.C. § 797 [9] ).

Apprehension is the equivalent to arrest in civilian terminology (Joint Service Committee on Military Justice, 2019, Rule 302 [10] ). These apprehensions can only be conducted by military law enforcement officials. These individuals include security police, military police, master at arms, shore patrol, and other authorized persons (whose duties include investigative, guard, or police duties). Specifically listed in the following discussion paragraph are police, guards, civilian police, and civilian guards. The authorising regulations show no distinction between DACPs and DASGs regarding authority. As such, both DACPs and DASGs are listed as “military law enforcement officials”.

DACPs and DASGs authority is subject to limitations imposed by AR 190-56 and the Posse Comitatus Act. Execution of their authority is restricted to the bounds of the installation when on duty (Department of the Army, 2013 [7] ). DACPs and DASGs are also limited on aid to civilian law enforcement (Posse Comitatus Act, 18 U.S. Code § 1385 [11] ).

Duties

At many installations, Department of Army Civilian Police officers augment military police personnel and are distributed throughout the chain of command of each installation's Directorate of Emergency Services.

Some installations have only civilian police (Fort McCoy) present while others work closely with military police. A newly hired officer can expect to perform a variety of law enforcement roles including patrol, crime-prevention, investigations, special reaction team, and police administrative functions.

Force Protection and Patrol

One major function of a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to conduct force protection duties. Department of the Army Civilian Police officers conduct law enforcement patrols within the installation and, depending on local policy, in areas off of the installation where military affiliated personnel frequent.

Officers patrol the installation and check that physical security measures such as fences and lighting are in good working order.

Traffic

An officer can conduct traffic stops for motor vehicle violations. Each base adopts the surrounding state's motor vehicle laws under the Assimilative Crimes Act (see Federal Jurisdiction).

There are two types of citations that may be issued: the DD Form 1408 Armed Forces Traffic Ticket, and the Central Violations Bureau Violation Notice (CVB).

Calls for service

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers and military police personnel respond to all calls for law enforcement assistance that take place within the installation. If the crime is found to be a major felony, then the matter is generally referred to the special agents of the applicable military investigative agency (Army CID, Army Counterintelligence, NCIS, OSI, FBI, etc.) depending on the agency's purview.

There are increasing opportunities for participation in specialized roles. Department of the Army Civilian Police officers may serve as K-9 officers or members of a special reaction team (SRT).

Requirements of DACP Officers

A major requirement of any potential Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to pass a medical exam. There is typically an uncorrected vision requirement, candidates must have normal color vision, depth perception, and sufficiently good corrected vision.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers are required to obtain and maintain a "Secret" clearance. The background investigation must show the candidate to be free of substantial debt or foreign influence. Under the Lautenberg Amendment, officers cannot have any convictions for domestic violence. Some installations may require an interview with the candidate.

Candidates are currently required to take and pass a physical fitness test. This test is a modified version of the test that is required by military members. Army regulations require the officers pass this test annually, something not typically required of local city or town police officers (though they may take one in their respective academies).

As of 2014 the Department of the Army no longer grants waivers to any patrol level officer, all interested candidates must now attend a 9-week academy at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Training

A DACP officer training on a firing range. A Department of the Army Civilian Police(DACP) officer with the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, Directorate of Emergency Services engages targets on the military police qualification course (MPQC) March 25, 2013 130325-D-OE523-839.jpg
A DACP officer training on a firing range.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers must attend a (resident) police academy approved by the Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG). The U.S. Army sends their civilian officers to a police academy that is a minimum of nine weeks long. A waiver of training may no longer be given by the OPMG, unless reclassifying from an 1811 (Federal Agent) to 0083 (Federal Police). Or transferring from another 0083 (Federal Police) agency and have completed a DoD approved or VA approved course.

There is one academy in Missouri. They give an overview of topics such as IED detection, basic patrolling techniques, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, physical security concepts, and other police skills.

This academy is designed around the specific needs of the US Army, and do not resemble a state or FLETC run academy. However, the DACP Academy is accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) organization. FLETA also accredits FLETC, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and numerous other federal law enforcement agencies.

The curriculum in these academies is based upon the same topics that a military member would learn in their advanced individual training schools after basic training. Annual in-service training for the DACP (sometimes called "annual sustainment training") normally totals about two hundred and forty hours a year. This refresher training is conducted in conjunction with the officer's military member counterparts.

Officers selected for a position on an installation's special reaction team (SRT) must attend the same training as their military counterparts. Training is held at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Department of the Army Civilian Police officers are highly trained and skilled professionals, many of whom have prior law enforcement and military experience. Post 9-11, Police Departments have tightened their professional standards. Both classroom training and physical training have been intensified in response to real world terrorist threats.

Rank Structure

DACP rank structure is similar to other police, federal police and DoD law-enforcement agencies. Rank insignia is very similar to the US Army's rank insignia. [7]

Table

Rank structure of the Department of the Army Civilian Police [7]
RankDirector/ChiefDeputy Director/Deputy Chief Captain Lieutenant Sergeant Officer
Insignia US-O5 insignia.svg US-O4 insignia.svg Captain insignia gold.svg US-O1 insignia.svg AK - Trooper Sergeant.png No insignia

Uniform and Equipment

Uniform

Department of Army Civilian Police wear a dark blue style uniform, similar to other DOD Police, in two formats:

[12] Some officers, on certain duties, may wear an overt equipment vest with "POLICE" or "DASG" markings and DACP/DASG insignia as appropriate.

There is a specific DACP shoulder patch, badge and the rank insignia is worn on both uniforms. [13]

DACP officers who serve in a game warden capacity wear a tan-brown uniform, but keep the DACP patches and badges.

Firearms and Equipment

DACP Police Officers are armed with a Beretta 92, designated as M9 service pistol, or the Sig Sauer P320 designated M17 in Level 3 retention holster, spare magazines in pouches, as well as a Taser stun gun, [14] baton, OC spray, handcuffs in pouch, radio, torch, first aid kit and notebook & pen. [15] [7]

Wet weather kit, traffic vests and cold weather kit is also issued when necessary. [7]

DACP also may use flak vests (body armour), Kevlar helmets, protective masks and the such like. [7]

Vehicles

DACP Police use the same vehicles as their active duty counterparts in the Military Police, such as the Chevrolet Impala and Ford Police Interceptor, with a wide variety of liveries, colours and decals. All are equipped with red, blue, white - or a combination of - flashing beacons. [16]

Notable events

Officers killed in line of duty

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Coast Guard</span> Maritime law enforcement and rescue service branch of the U.S. military

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the United States military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters and a federal regulatory agency mission as part of its duties. It is the largest coast guard in the world, rivaling the capabilities and size of most navies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military police</span> Police organization part of the military of a state

Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear reconnaissance, logistic traffic management, counterinsurgency, and detainee handling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security police</span> Law enforcement agencies responsible for protecting specific properties

Security police usually describes a law enforcement agency which focuses primarily on providing security and law enforcement services to particular areas or specific properties. They may be employed by governmental, public, or private institutions. Security police are generally considered distinct from security guards as security police personnel typically hold some level of law enforcement authority. The exact powers held by security police vary widely between jurisdictions. Examples of these types of agencies include the United States' DoD Police and FBI Police, the Indian Central Industrial Security Force, and the British Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Protective Service (United States)</span> US Federal law enforcement agency

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is also "the federal agency charged with protecting and delivering integrated law enforcement and security services to facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration (GSA)"—over 9,000 buildings—and their occupants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Identification badges of the uniformed services of the United States</span> List of identification badges of the US Uniformed Services

Identification badges of the uniformed services of the United States are insignia worn by service members conducting special duties, many of which can be awarded as permanent decorations if those duties are performed successfully. There are a few identification badges that are awarded to all services, others are specific to a uniform service. The Office of the President and Vice President and department/service headquarters badges are permanent decorations for those who successfully serve in those assignments. Some of the service level identification badges can be permanent decorations and others are only worn by a service member while performing specific duties, such as the Military Police Badge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border guard</span> Government service concerned with security of national borders

A border guard of a country is a national security agency that ensures border security. Some of the national border guard agencies also perform coast guard and rescue service duties.

In the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, major is a field officer above the rank of captain and below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of lieutenant commander in the other uniformed services. Although lieutenant commanders are considered junior officers by their services, the rank of major is that of a senior officer in the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Police Corps (United States)</span> U.S. Armys branch for military police

The United States Army Military Police Corps (USAMPC) is the uniformed law enforcement branch of the United States Army. Investigations are conducted by Military Police Investigators under the Provost Marshal General's Office or Special Agents of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Criminal Investigation Division</span> Federal law enforcement agency of the United States

The United States Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), previously known as the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC), is the primary federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Army. Its primary function is to investigate felony crimes and serious violations of military law and the United States Code within the US Army. The division is an independent federal law enforcement agency with investigative autonomy; CID special agents, both military and civilian, report through the CID chain of command to the CID Director, who reports directly to the Under Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Army. Unlike their counterparts at OSI and NCIS, Army CID does not have primary counterintelligence responsibilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provost (military police)</span> Military police who only police within the armed forces

Provosts are military police (MP) whose duties are policing solely within the armed forces of a country, as opposed to gendarmerie duties in the civilian population. However, many countries use their gendarmerie for provost duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal law enforcement in the United States</span> Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States

The federal government of the United States empowers a wide range of federal law enforcement agencies to maintain law and public order related to matters affecting the country as a whole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Defense police</span> Civilian-staffed law enforcement personnel of the U.S. DoD

United States Department of Defense police are the uniformed civilian security police officers of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), various branches of the United States Armed Forces, or DoD agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division</span> Federal law enforcement agency

The United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division is a federal law enforcement agency that investigates crimes against people and property within the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Counterintelligence</span> Component of United States Army

United States Army Counterintelligence (ACI) is the component of United States Army Military Intelligence which conducts counterintelligence activities to detect, identify, assess, counter, exploit and/or neutralize adversarial, foreign intelligence services, international terrorist organizations, and insider threats to the United States Army and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of the Air Force Police</span> Civilian-staffed U.S. Air Force law enforcement program

The United States Department of the Air Force Police is the uniformed security police program of the Department of the Air Force (DAF). It provides professional, civilian, federal police officers to serve and protect U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Space Force (USSF) personnel, properties, and installations. DAF Police personnel represent the DAF's contribution to the Department of Defense Police program. DAF Police officers primarily work alongside USAF Security Forces, the military police of the USAF and USSF. Although a separate branch from the USAF, the USSF still falls-under the DAF, therefore law enforcement services are provided to the USSF by the DAF Police and USAF Security Forces. Although the Air Force Office of Special Investigations employs civilian special agents, it does not fall-under either the DAF Police or DoD Police umbrella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Coast Guard Police</span> Law enforcement unit within the United States Coast Guard


The United States Coast Guard Police (CGPD) are law enforcement units stationed at certain shore facilities of the United States Coast Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master-at-arms (United States Navy)</span> Military unit

The Master-at-Arms (MA) rating is responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy—equivalent to the United States Army Military Police, the United States Marine Corps Military Police, the United States Air Force Security Forces, and the United States Coast Guard's Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist. It is one of the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the inception of the U.S. Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Marine Corps Civilian Police</span> Law enforcement agency in the United States

The United States Marine Corps Civilian Police is the civilian law enforcement agency of the United States Marine Corps. Officially called the "Marine Corps Law Enforcement Program" (MCLEP), the agency is composed of civilian (non-military) federal police officers.

The United States Department of the Navy Police is the uniformed security police program of the United States Navy. It provides professional, civilian, federal police officers to serve and protect U.S. Navy personnel, properties, and installations. DoN Police personnel represent the Department of the Navy's contribution to the Department of Defense Police program. DoN Police officers primarily work alongside U.S. Navy masters-at-arms, the military police of the U.S. Navy. Although under the Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) maintains its own civilian law enforcement program for Marine Corps-centric installations, the USMC Civilian Police. Despite both employing civilian special agents, neither the Naval Criminal Investigative Service nor the USMC Criminal Investigation Division fall-under the auspices of the DoN/DoD Police; both agencies have their own chains of command.

References

  1. ↑ https://home.army.mil/wood/units-tenants/USAMPS/MPOrganizations/directorate-training-education/usamps-courses/united-states-army-civilian-police-academy
  2. ↑ https://www.army.mil/article-amp/62700/fort_polk_da_police_officers_mps_work_to_keep_community_safe
  3. ↑ "Department of Army Security Guards sought".
  4. ↑ "Security Guard Series 0085".
  5. ↑ "DA security guards to man gates". www.army.mil.
  6. ↑ "Department of Army Guard Full Color Hat Size Patch | US Military".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/r190_56.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  8. ↑ "Article IV Section 3 | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". Constitution.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  9. ↑ "Govinfo".
  10. ↑ "MANUAL FOR COURTS-MARTIAL UNITED STATES" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  11. ↑ "U.S.C. Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE". www.govinfo.gov.
  12. ↑ "Department of the Army Civilian Police Fort Campbell Law Enforcement Professionals".
  13. ↑ "JBSA civilian police officers now wearing insignias to display rank". Joint Base San Antonio.
  14. ↑ https://api.army.mil/e2/c/images/2019/04/17/549747/max1200.jpg [ bare URL image file ]
  15. ↑ https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C561BAQEk7C-vBJP4Jg/company-background_10000/0/1563809568461?e=2159024400&v=beta&t=k3aOMOJYOfMkgWqpDTv-LnyT24r9-QT7cuLnQEbR_eQ [ bare URL image file ]
  16. ↑ "Police Cars". militarypd.50webs.com.
  17. ↑ "Authorities ID Fort Bliss Gunman as Retired Army Sergeant". Fox News/Associated Press. 2010-09-21.
  18. ↑ "Bliss Gunman was Retired Army Sergeant". Military.com. 2010-09-21.
  19. ↑ "Man With Land Mine Arrested at Ft. Gordon". Military.com. 2010-06-16.
  20. ↑ Hylton, Hilary (2009-11-06). "Fort Hood Hero: Who Is Kimberly Munley?". Time.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2009.
  21. ↑ Schapiro, Rick (2009-11-12). "Civilian cop Mark Todd was REAL hero whose shots ended Ft. Hood masscare, says his mom!". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  22. ↑ "Fort Drum issues statement on soldier's shooting". MyABC50.com. 2008-02-10.
  23. ↑ "Police Officer Harry S. White, United States War Department - Muscle Shoals Nitrate Plant Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  24. ↑ "Forest Ranger John Sidney Mott, United States Department of Defense - Fort Bragg Conservation Law Enforcement, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  25. ↑ "Officer Albee Volney Forney, United States Department of Defense - Walter Reed Army Medical Center Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  26. ↑ "Sergeant Dennis H. Marcotte, United States Department of Defense - Selfridge Air National Guard Base Police, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  27. ↑ "Police Officer Patrick Sirois, United States Department of Defense - Fort Hood Police Department, U.S. Government". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  28. ↑ "Police Officer Jonathan M. Gumm". Odmp.org. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.