I was wondering how it works with MPs in the USCG? Specifically those who work in Base Security/dealing with LE on base? Is it a mostly civilian contractors or are there USCG Personnel who take care of Base Security? In particular I'm interested in what happens on the large USCG bases like Kodiak.
I was just wondering about this as it's something which interests me as possible future work in the USCG.
At certain large bases, there are Coast Guard Police, who are enlisted CG members of different ratings who enforce base regulations set down by the Base Commander. You will find contract security at certain CG bases. During a recent training conference I attended at an AFR/AFNG base, the security for the base gate was provided by the local Sheriff's Department.
This is not a job you will do for an entire career. Just for the current tour while you are at the CG base.
Military Police/Security Police (USA/USMC/USAF) are specific specialties in the other services that you do your entire career, starting at E-1 or O-1.
The CG grants LE authority to E-4's, O-1's, CW02's, and above, but you may not being doing any LE at a current billet you are in. Many billets are regulatory in nature, and violations of said regulations don't result in someone being cuffed. Just cited.
Any rating in the CG can do LE dependent upon where you are assigned. FYI.
Mr G; I think you slighted the folks assigned to the actual "CG Police Depts." The 5 (I believe) units that have CG Police Departments are actually fully sworn LEOs with commensurate authorities completely independant of Sect 89 and the UCMJ. (Very, very close to your own authority.) As such, they have full LEO authority over civilians on base and at some locations, off base through MOAs. They enforce MUCH more then base regs. Heck that SHOULD describe any military member!
For others - you were dead on about the not being a career, for now anyways.
My intent was not to slight anyone. I have never dealt with any of the CG Police folks; the only dealings were discussions here on Mil.com with tango48 who indicated he was with (or had been with) the CG Police where he was stationed. He was the one who said (wrote) he got his authority on base from the base commander.
I was stationed in West Germany as an MP, and off-post, we had a SOF agreement with the German Government and worked with the Polizei. We even had a joint patrol with one MP and one GP teamed up and patrol the downtown areas. But without that SOF agreement, our authority ended at the gate.
I'm assuming the CG Police are trained at some civilian academy for "X" number of weeks before working, to give them their ability to do what they do. It does seem like a waste of resources to train them, keep them there for just three of four years, and then rotate out to units where they may never use their skillsets again.
Thanks for the info! I just wanted to check whether it was a duty performed by USCG personnel or outside contractors/civilians. From the sound of it, it may be a possibility at one of the large CG bases, which would interest as something to do at some point during my USCG career.
Mr G; I am 100% certain you had no intention to slight them shipmate! If you or anyone else is interested, M5530.1, CH 10, hits the info on this and explains the differences between SECURITY forces and POLICE forces. (The later does have the auhtority to enforce Federal and Local laws, in addition to local regs and UCMJ).
With the potential creation of an LE rate will we see those types of billets filled by the LE rate? How about potentially replacing contracted security officers with the AD so that not all billets will be underway or stations?
My crystal ball hasn't always served me well, but I would expect that the police force billets may well be part of the Tactical Rating. Remember, only about 5 units have a 'police' force. For the sake of folks going in to the rating, I hope they limit it to Police Forces and not the contract security forces.
Now, as to the assumption that all or even a majority of billets would be at Sta's or U/W, that I think is a poor assumption. Deployable, yes, U/W, no. Stations, I doubt it, Sector BTs, probably. (at least not in a large force)
I see your point, if they don’t have many folks underway or at stations and just part of the deployable forces, police forces and a few at Sectors as BTs, I see it as a small rate. That continues having the other rates still doing LE as collateral duty, something not too many folks like to do in the first place. Either way, I am all for it.
Even with just those jobs, size wise it would be at least in the upper half of rating 'sizes' probably. Again, my little crystal ball says that the majority of LE actualy done on a daily basis will still be done by the same folks. Thats part of the reason I responded above and used the term 'tactical' rating. Personally, I think the term "L/E" rating is a bit misleading.
Think of the people/places/bilets where doing some form of armed L/E is a full time job. That rules out almost all Cutters and a vast majority of stations. It does include though a lot of Sector Boarding Teams, TACLETS, LEDETs, MSST/MSRTs, etc.
This biggest challenge will be to shift from a paygrade irrelevant system of billeting to a rating pyramid bound system. This means you need jobs for E-3 non-petty officers through E-9s. This means you GET E-3 non-petty officers through E-9s.
Well, that's where the CG differs from, let's say, the Army.
I went through BCT and AIT to be an MP. As an E-1, I was an MP, doing my job.
At one point in my career, I was a 95B10, then a 95B10Q9 (Traffic Accident Investigator), then acquired a 76Y designator for Unit Armorer, then 95B10Q9V5 (added Military Police Investigator) to my Military Occupational Skill (MOS). I became a 95B20Q9V5 (Sgt) in the Reserves. I was still an MP, but with additional qual codes.
Just like the CG, the more qual codes (EP, ER, ES, HH, EA, EB, on and on and on...), the better.
LE as an MP sort is fun and great on CG bases. Its nice to have on a resume I am guessing. I understand the base has rules under the CO's guidlines, and basic rules to follow etc. Just remember coming from a person not in the "LE" rate, you are now the most hated coastie in town. You are basically enforcing rules, which is great, but it is on your fellow shipmates. Busting a guy for a DUI is good because he can kill others that way, but to be so nit picky as to pull a dude over for 2 mph over the limit sounds fun to you, go for it.
I would rather be pulled over by a civilian "cop" on base than a fellow coastie. Just my opinion
Originally posted by calir1: you are now the most hated coastie in town. I would rather be pulled over by a civilian "cop" on base than a fellow coastie. Just my opinion
This is laughable! Dont break the rules and you wont have any issues. Most patrol officers will not pull someone over for 2mph over, (but i see how that would help your point) but speeding is very important on large bases, If you have children you would understand that! I cannot speak for the other CGPD's but up here we deal with alot more than "speeding". Holding ourselves and others acountable for our/their actions is a lesson in leadership! Easily preached, Rarely practiced.
Like I said, the important stuff ie DUI, hitting kids by going to fast, etc is very important not to do. I just would not want to pull over my fellow coastie and bust him, then by unfortunate outcome be stationed with him next.
To me the "cop" should be an "outside" agency. But if someone feels the need to bust one of his own in a small CG town/community, go for it
define "bust". What is the difference if one of your subordinates shows up for work drunk or high? Are you gonna "bust" him/her? or sweep it under the carpet because you dont want to hurt his/her feelings? Good leadership! I think your looking at it with an overly simplistic view and should look at things a little more objectively, after all, you are an E6.
I was stationed at the CGPD in NY during 9-11 for four years. It was a great job and there were a ton of great training opportunities. They sent us to FLETC and MA A-school with the Navy. The unit was under the command of the housing office and the direct authority came from the CO. Many people just look at CGPD as hardcore traffic nazi's until they need their help. We handled numerous domestic violence cases and conducted alot of community training for the kids in CG housing. Our main job was to keep the base and CG members safe from outside entities, not hammer coasties.
