Department of the Army Civilian Police
Encyclopedia
Department of the Army Civilian Police, are the uniformed civilian
police officers of the United States Army
. They are also referred to as DoD Police. The Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP) are responsible for law enforcement and security services on U.S. Army owned and leased buildings, facilities, properties and other U.S. Army assets. It is important to note that "Department of Defense Police
" is a phrase that refers to any civilian engaged in police duties for the Department of Defense and its component branches of the US Armed Forces. There is no one unified agency that goes under the title "Department of Defense Police". The DOD Police at the Pentagon (PFPA), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and one or two others are exceptions.
. This occupational series code applies regardless of what specific agency of the Department of Defense the officer works for. Individual installations conduct the hiring process based upon local need, thus a person applying for a 0083 police officer positions applies to specific installations. Some installations have detectives, which share the same occupational series code as police officers. These detectives investigate minor crimes that are not pursued by a special agent
from CID
. On October 12, 2010 President Barack Obama signed into law S.B. 1132 the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act Improvements Act", which states that police officers and law enforcement officers of the executive branch of Federal Government are "qualified law enforcement officers" and thus are authorized to carry a firearm off-duty and initiate warrantless arrest for crimes that occur in their presence and any felony. However the leadership of the Department of the Army thus far has refused to accept that interpretation and to date, fails to abide by S.B. 1132. Complicating the program is the perception amongst the work force that the Department of the Army does not want to consider its federal civilian police force to be actual law enforcement officers when off duty. Among its many restrictive policies, the Department of the Army does not allow its officers to carry an identification badge and credentials in the same carry configuration (see Army Regulation 190-56, Department of the Army Civilian Police and Guard Program) when off duty nor carry a firearm in an official law enforcement capacity as opposed to regular civilian agencies thus prohibiting these personnel from identifying themselves as law enforcement officer's when off-duty. Further, when off duty these personnel are considered to have no more authority than any other private citizen (see Army Regulation 190-56) due to the nonexistence of statutory arrest power. To date, these personnel are the only full-range law enforcement performing activity within the federal government to have such restrictions applied.
personnel. Both military and civilian police personnel work side by side and share all duties and responsibilities. The officer can expect to perform a variety of security and law enforcement roles.
One major function of a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to conduct force protection duties. This often takes the form of ensuring that only authorized personnel access the installation by performing identification checks at fixed entry control points (gates). Department of Army Civilian Police officers may also stand fixed posts at higher security areas within the confines of the installation, such as buildings containing classified material or around parked aircraft. Officers at fixed posts ensure that all entry requirements have been met before allowing an individual to proceed.
Department of the Army Civilian Police officers also conduct security and law enforcement patrols within the installation. Officers patrol the installation and check that physical security measures such as fences and lighting are in good working order. 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 DD Form 1805 Violation Notice. The type of citation issued often depends upon what the local command decides may be written. The DD Form 1408 does not have any monetary fines associated with it. Rather, it is a point system. When a violator exceeds a certain number of points, that individual's driving privileges may be revoked. The DD Form 1805 Violation Notice does, however, carry a monetary fine. Violators may be required to appear before a magistrate. Both civilian Department of Army Civilian Police officers and military police officers may issue a traffic citation.
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 (NCIS, CID, OSI, FBI, etc.).
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 response team (SRT).
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).
Whether or not a candidate has to attend a DA academy (see "Training" section below) depends on both the installation and the officer's experience. A candidate who has attended a state or FLETC academy is typically excused from attending a DA academy.
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. 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 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.
Department of the Army Civilian Police officers carry pepper spray
, a police baton (typically an expandable ASP), handcuffs
, radio, spare ammunition (45 rounds, or three magazines of 15), a X-26 Taser
, latex gloves, and other commonly seen police equipment such as a CPR mask. Bulletproof vests are issued. During higher threat conditions, officers could be equipped with Kevlar helmets and other protective equipment.
The vast majority of officers working for the branches of the Armed Forces are armed with the M-9 pistol. The military does not normally use hollowpoint ammunition due to the Hague Convention
, however the Department of the Army has recently authorized the use of hollowpoint ammunition for DACP and Military Police law enforcement duties due to recent incidents involving active shooters on military installations. Thus, Department of the Army Civilian Police officers working on a military base have ammunition loaded with full metal jacket and/or hollow point ammunition. Department of the Army Civilian Police Detectives can be armed with the M11 pistol. Other firearms that may be issued include the Mossberg 500
shotgun
and the M-16 rifle or M-4 carbine.
Department of the Army Civilian Police vehicles vary widely, with vehicles ranging from Chevy Silverados to Ford Explorers and even Jeep Cherokees. However, most installations and agencies use the Chevy Impala or Ford Crown Victoria
. Vehicles may be marked or unmarked and utilize emergency blue and red lights from a variety of manufacturers.
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
police officers of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. They are also referred to as DoD Police. The Department of the Army Civilian Police (DACP) are responsible for law enforcement and security services on U.S. Army owned and leased buildings, facilities, properties and other U.S. Army assets. It is important to note that "Department of Defense Police
Department of Defense Police
Department of Defense Police, not to be confused with Pentagon Police, are the uniformed civilian police officers of the United States Department of Defense various branches of the United States Armed Forces . They are also referred to as DoD Police...
" is a phrase that refers to any civilian engaged in police duties for the Department of Defense and its component branches of the US Armed Forces. There is no one unified agency that goes under the title "Department of Defense Police". The DOD Police at the Pentagon (PFPA), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and one or two others are exceptions.
Civil service series 0083
A Department of the Army police officer is assigned the federal occupational series code "0083", the code reserved for police and federal protective officers in the civil serviceCivil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
. This occupational series code applies regardless of what specific agency of the Department of Defense the officer works for. Individual installations conduct the hiring process based upon local need, thus a person applying for a 0083 police officer positions applies to specific installations. Some installations have detectives, which share the same occupational series code as police officers. These detectives investigate minor crimes that are not pursued by a special agent
Special agent
Special agent is usually the title for a detective or investigator for a state, county, municipal, federal or tribal government. An agent is a worker for any federal agency, and a secret agent is one who works for an intelligence agency....
from CID
CID
-Criminal investigation:* Criminal Investigation Department, the branch of British police forces and many other Commonwealth police forces to which plain clothes detectives belong...
. On October 12, 2010 President Barack Obama signed into law S.B. 1132 the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act Improvements Act", which states that police officers and law enforcement officers of the executive branch of Federal Government are "qualified law enforcement officers" and thus are authorized to carry a firearm off-duty and initiate warrantless arrest for crimes that occur in their presence and any felony. However the leadership of the Department of the Army thus far has refused to accept that interpretation and to date, fails to abide by S.B. 1132. Complicating the program is the perception amongst the work force that the Department of the Army does not want to consider its federal civilian police force to be actual law enforcement officers when off duty. Among its many restrictive policies, the Department of the Army does not allow its officers to carry an identification badge and credentials in the same carry configuration (see Army Regulation 190-56, Department of the Army Civilian Police and Guard Program) when off duty nor carry a firearm in an official law enforcement capacity as opposed to regular civilian agencies thus prohibiting these personnel from identifying themselves as law enforcement officer's when off-duty. Further, when off duty these personnel are considered to have no more authority than any other private citizen (see Army Regulation 190-56) due to the nonexistence of statutory arrest power. To date, these personnel are the only full-range law enforcement performing activity within the federal government to have such restrictions applied.
Duties
At many installations, Department of Army Civilian Police officers augment military policeMilitary police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
personnel. Both military and civilian police personnel work side by side and share all duties and responsibilities. The officer can expect to perform a variety of security and law enforcement roles.
One major function of a Department of the Army Civilian Police officer is to conduct force protection duties. This often takes the form of ensuring that only authorized personnel access the installation by performing identification checks at fixed entry control points (gates). Department of Army Civilian Police officers may also stand fixed posts at higher security areas within the confines of the installation, such as buildings containing classified material or around parked aircraft. Officers at fixed posts ensure that all entry requirements have been met before allowing an individual to proceed.
Department of the Army Civilian Police officers also conduct security and law enforcement patrols within the installation. Officers patrol the installation and check that physical security measures such as fences and lighting are in good working order. 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
Federal jurisdiction
The United States of America being a federal country is made up of many States and a central government. This central government may be known as the Union, the United States, or the Federal government...
). There are two types of citations that may be issued: the DD Form 1408 Armed Forces Traffic Ticket, and the DD Form 1805 Violation Notice. The type of citation issued often depends upon what the local command decides may be written. The DD Form 1408 does not have any monetary fines associated with it. Rather, it is a point system. When a violator exceeds a certain number of points, that individual's driving privileges may be revoked. The DD Form 1805 Violation Notice does, however, carry a monetary fine. Violators may be required to appear before a magistrate. Both civilian Department of Army Civilian Police officers and military police officers may issue a traffic citation.
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 (NCIS, CID, OSI, FBI, etc.).
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 response team (SRT).
Requirements
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).
Whether or not a candidate has to attend a DA academy (see "Training" section below) depends on both the installation and the officer's experience. A candidate who has attended a state or FLETC academy is typically excused from attending a DA academy.
Training
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 waver of training may be given if the candidate meets the standards of the OPMG.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
Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
, 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. 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
Fort Leonard Wood (military base)
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...
in Missouri.
Department of the Army Civilian Police Officers are highly trained and skilled professionals, many 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.
Equipment
Department of the Army Civilian Police officers wear typical police style uniforms, more often than not in a shade of dark navy blue. Many installations now issue solid navy blue or black BDUs/TDUs for officers with cloth badges and name tapes. These uniforms are worn with bloused pants and combat style boots. The pattern and style of Badges and patches is dictated by Army Regulation.Department of the Army Civilian Police officers carry pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
, a police baton (typically an expandable ASP), handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
, radio, spare ammunition (45 rounds, or three magazines of 15), a X-26 Taser
Taser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
, latex gloves, and other commonly seen police equipment such as a CPR mask. Bulletproof vests are issued. During higher threat conditions, officers could be equipped with Kevlar helmets and other protective equipment.
The vast majority of officers working for the branches of the Armed Forces are armed with the M-9 pistol. The military does not normally use hollowpoint ammunition due to the Hague Convention
Hague Convention
The Hague Convention may refer to:* Hague Conventions , among the first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in international law...
, however the Department of the Army has recently authorized the use of hollowpoint ammunition for DACP and Military Police law enforcement duties due to recent incidents involving active shooters on military installations. Thus, Department of the Army Civilian Police officers working on a military base have ammunition loaded with full metal jacket and/or hollow point ammunition. Department of the Army Civilian Police Detectives can be armed with the M11 pistol. Other firearms that may be issued include the Mossberg 500
Mossberg 500
Mossberg 500 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and...
shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
and the M-16 rifle or M-4 carbine.
Department of the Army Civilian Police vehicles vary widely, with vehicles ranging from Chevy Silverados to Ford Explorers and even Jeep Cherokees. However, most installations and agencies use the Chevy Impala or Ford Crown Victoria
Ford Crown Victoria
-1992–1994:Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline . The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised...
. Vehicles may be marked or unmarked and utilize emergency blue and red lights from a variety of manufacturers.
Notable events
- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
gunman. - Land mine incident at Fort GordonFort GordonFort Gordon, formerly known as Camp Gordon, is a United States Army installation established in 1917. It is the current home of the United States Army Signal Corps and Signal Center and was once the home of "The Provost Marshal General School" . The fort is located in Richmond, Jefferson, McDuffie,...
. - The Fort Hood shootingFort Hood shootingThe Fort Hood shooting was a mass shooting that took place on November 5, 2009, at Fort Hood, the most populous U.S. military installation in the world, located just outside Killeen, Texas. In the course of the shooting, a single gunman killed 13 people and wounded 29 others...
. - Fort DrumFort DrumFort Drum is a United States Army base in New York near the Canadian border.Fort Drum may also refer to:*Fort Drum, Florida, a nearly-uninhabited town in the United States*Fort Drum , Philippines...
shooting in 2008. - 2007 Fort Dix attack plot2007 Fort Dix attack plotThe 2007 Fort Dix attack plot involved a group of six radical Islamist men who conspired to stage an attack against U.S. Military personnel stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The alleged aim of the group was to "kill as many soldiers as possible"....
- Fort Bragg "Sniper" - William Kreutzer, Jr.William Kreutzer, Jr.William J. Kreutzer, Jr. is a former United States Army soldier who was convicted of killing one officer and wounding 18 other soldiers when he opened fire on a physical training formation on October 27, 1995 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina....
Officers Killed In The Line of Duty
- Police Officer Harry S. White http://www.odmp.org/officer/14078-police-officer-harry-s.-white
- Forest Ranger John Sidney Mott http://www.odmp.org/officer/19446-forest-ranger-john-sidney-mott
- Police Officer Albee V. Forney http://www.odmp.org/officer/238-officer-albee-volney-forney
- Sergeant Dennis H. Marcotte http://www.odmp.org/officer/15178-sergeant-dennis-h.-marcotte
- Police Officer Patrick Sirois http://www.odmp.org/officer/20572-police-officer-patrick-sirois