The United States Marine Corps Civilian Police is the civilian law enforcement agency of the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...

. Officially called the "Marine Corps Law Enforcement Program" (MCLEP), the agency is composed of civilian (non-military) federal police officers.

History

The Marine Corps initiated a Civilian Police force in 2005 (0083) and established Marine Corps Police Departments in MCLB Barstow, California, MCLB Albany, Georgia; and MCSF Blount Island, Jacksonville, Florida. In 2008 the Marine Corps decided to expand the civilian police officers to all other Marine Corps installations in the United States.

Duties

The duties of the United States Marine Corps Civilian Police are following: * Force protection * Physical security * Access control * Traffic control * Respond to emergency calls Officers of civilian police provide their functions to Marine Corps establishments alongside Marine Corps military police officers.

Training

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 military police counterparts. This includes law enforcement training, force protection, first-aid, self defence and firearms. All police officers up to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police undergo 12 weeks of FLETA accredited training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Uniform and equipment

Uniform

Civilian MCLEP officers wear a dark blue uniform, similar to other

DOD Police United States Department of Defense Police (or DoD Police) are the uniformed civilian police officers of the United States Department of Defense, various branches of the United States Armed Forces (such as the Department of the Navy), or specific ...

, but with "Marine Corps Police" shoulder patches and a USMC Police badge (shield).

Equipment

The equipment for police officers consists of a M18 duty sidearm (pistol),

expandable baton A baton (also known as a truncheon or nightstick) is a roughly cylindrical club made of wood, rubber, plastic, or metal. It is carried as a compliance tool and defensive weapon by law-enforcement officers, correctional staff, security guards ...

OC spray Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, or capsicum spray is a lachrymatory agent (a compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, cro ...

two-way radio A two-way radio is a radio that can both transmit and receive radio waves (a transceiver), unlike a radio broadcasting, broadcast receiver which only receives content. It is an audio (sound) transceiver, a transmitter and radio receiver, receive ...

Taser A taser is an electroshock weapon used to incapacitate people, allowing them to be approached and handled in an unresisting and thus safe manner. It is sold by Axon, formerly TASER International. It fires two small barbed darts intended t ...

handcuffs Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists in proximity to each other. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each cuff has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet tha ...

torch A torch is a stick with combustible material at one end, which is ignited and used as a light source. Torches have been used throughout history, and are still used in processions, symbolic and religious events, and in juggling entertainment. I ...

and gloves. Other weapons include the M1014 Joint Services Combat Shotgun. Officers who train and qualify for it may also be issued an

M4 carbine The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle. The M4 is extensive ...

or an M16A4 rifle depending on installation resources. In addition, plate carriers, ballistic plates and duty belts are typically issued at the Marine Corps Police Academy upon completion of the course Equipment will be worn around the waist on a duty belt, with shield on left breast.

Vehicles

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.

References

{{reflist Marine Corps Civilian Police Civilian police forces of defense ministries

Civilian Police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

United States Department of Defense agencies