MILITARY POLICE INVESTIGATIONS
Subcourse Number MP0018
EDITION C
United States Army Military Police School
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri 65473-8926
9 Credit Hours
Edition Date: August 1994
SUBCOURSE OVERVIEW
All major US Army installations throughout the world have an Office of the Provost Marshal or a Provost Marshal Division which is responsible for active law enforcement operations within the installation. One vital part of the Provost Marshal Division is the Military Police Investigations Section. The Military Police Investigator (MPI) is the major topic in this subcourse. However, before we go into the subcourse lessons, you must know certain facts. These are the policies and procedures for the selection, training, and use of the MPIs. The rest of this introduction will give you that knowledge.
1. SELECTION. MPIs will normally be chosen by the post provost marshal, or by the commander responsible for law enforcement operations. Personnel selected to become MPIs must have primary MOS 95B.
a. All personnel chosen will meet these minimum criteria:
(1) They will be US citizens.
(2) They will be in pay grade E3 through E7.
(3) They will possess above average intelligence, maturity, and judgment.
(4) They will be cleared for access to SECRET national defense information.
(5) They will also be free of any record of civil or military convictions for (other than minor traffic violations) multiple or repeated arrests. They will be free of any record of juvenile misconduct, financial irresponsibility, or other conduct or behavior not contributing to the best interests of Army law enforcement. Evidence of such background will be established by a screening of the candidate through the Crime Records Directorate, US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CRD, USACIDC).
(6) They will have at least one year of service left at the time of selection, or show an intent to remain on active duty at the end of the current term.
b. Selection of personnel who did not qualify before as MP is discouraged. However, personnel with proper civilian skills, or other unique qualifications, may be allowed lateral entry.
c. Personnel dismissed in the past by an investigative agency for misconduct will not be chosen as MPIs. Personnel not chosen before by any investigative agency will be carefully evaluated. They will not be chosen as MPIs, however, if the prior nonselection was the result of misconduct or prior police record. Neither will they be chosen if a background investigation revealed damaging information.
2. TRAINING.
a. Persons chosen as an MPI will complete one of the following before being awarded the additional skill identifier (ASI) V5 (MPI) and receiving credentials:
(1) They will complete and pass a formal course of instruction derived from the internal resources of a major Army command. Such command must be one authorized to award ASI V5 to MPIs.
(2) They will reach a high level of skill in basic investigative techniques. They will do this through on-the-job training (OJT) under the close supervision of the operating provost marshal. When the ASI V5 is awarded in this way, high technical standards will be maintained. In addition, personnel trained in this way should attend formal courses of instruction at the earliest time possible.
b. MPI should be encouraged to join in related investigative functions and training and to enroll in related correspondence courses. However, successful completion of these courses will NOT automatically qualify an individual for award of the ASI V5.
c. Award of ASI V5 will be done in proper orders by authorized commanders. Award will be made only on the advice of the supervising provost marshal.
3. CREDENTIALS.
a. The only authorized credentials for MPI are DA Forms 3837 and 3837-1 (Figure i-1). Reproduction of MPI credentials or use of locally made identification documents is forbidden.
FIGURE i-1. MPI CREDENTIALS
b. Credentials will be issued for a period not to exceed 24 calendar months from the date of issue. Subordinate commanders may specify issue for periods of less duration, if appropriate to the needs of their commands.
c. The phrase "EXPIRATION DATE" will be typed clearly on the face of the DA Form 3837-1, directly below letters "MPI." The expiration date itself is typed directly below the words "EXPIRATION DATE." If appropriate, expired credentials will be replaced by the issue of new ones.
4. EMPLOYMENT.
a. MPI normally will be used for the following duties:
(1) They will investigate offenses for which the maximum punishment is confinement at hard labor for less than one year.
(2) They will investigate offenses involving larcenies of property valued at less than $1000. These are those offenses not involving another major crime and those cases where the stolen property is not of a sensitive nature. Such property would include firearms, ammunition, or controlled substances.
(3) They will investigate offenses involving the use and/or possession of non-narcotic controlled substances (marijuana and other derivatives of the cannabis sativa plant; dangerous drugs such as hallucinogens, amphetamines, and barbiturates). MPI will investigate only when the amount involved is enough only for personal use. Such a small amount would not indicate intent to supply other persons.
(4) They will prevent crimes outlined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), above.
b. Nothing in paragraph a, above, is meant to replace or cancel duties of USACIDC. When necessary to further Army law enforcement, crime prevention, or investigative goals, this command may still assume responsibility for investigating any criminal offense or incident.
c. Steps will be developed to ensure cooperation and support between MPI and USACIDC elements at each investigative level. However, MPI and CID personnel will remain under the command and control of their respective commanders at all times.
(1) When concerned commanders agree, MPI may aid CID whenever CID elements take over responsibility for an investigation.
(2) When asked by a CID field office commander or the special agent in charge of a resident agency, a supported commander may provide MPI aid to CID. He or she may do so on a case-by-case basis or for a limited period of time.
(3) If agreed to by the proper CID commander, CID personnel may be named to aid MPI on a case-by-case basis without taking control of the investigation.
d. Paragraphs b and c, above, point out the cooperation between MPI and CID personnel. They also establish between the two agencies, the interface needed for effective law enforcement and crime prevention.
5. WITHDRAWAL OF ASI V5 AND MPI CREDENTIALS.
a. When determined that a person is no longer qualified to perform the duties of MPI, the operating provost marshal will advise the appropriate commander that ASI V5 be withdrawn. The provost marshal will also recommend that the person concerned be removed from the MPI program. Positive action will be taken to ensure that the necessary notes are made in field files and recorded in the individuals 201 file to reflect the withdrawal of ASI V5. Any of the following may be used as a basis for withdrawal of ASI V5:
(1) Inefficiency.
(2) Indiscretion, disaffection, breach of discipline, or abuse of privilege.
(3) Financial irresponsibility.
(4) Demonstrated lack of character or moral integrity necessary for proper performance of investigative duties.
(5) Failure to secure or account for evidence.
(6) Mental disorder (verified by competent medical authority).
(7) Failure to successfully complete a formal course of instruction for MPI.
(8) Loss of credentials through neglect.
(9) Revocation or denial of security clearance.
(10) Any other conduct that adversely affects the person's continued performance of investigative duties.
b. The MPI credentials will be withdrawn for causes as shown in paragraph 5a(1) - (10), above. Withdrawal for cause is permanent and the credentials will be destroyed.
c. Credentials will also be withdrawn permanently when the investigator leaves the installation on PCS orders or is assigned to other duties.
d. The credentials will be withdrawn temporarily during the conduct of an investigation involving the MPI concerned. Such investigation may end in withdrawal for cause. This might occur during long authorized absences such as leave, TDY, or hospitalization.
You now know the policies and procedures for becoming an MPI. You also know how persons may be withdrawn from the MPI program. In the event you are now an MPI, or a line MP with hope of becoming an investigator, the following lessons will be of aid to you in becoming a competent MPI.
There are no prerequisites for this subcourse.
This subcourse reflects the doctrine which was current at the time it was prepared. In your own work situation, always refer to the latest official publications.
Unless otherwise stated, the masculine gender of singular pronouns is used to refer to both men and women.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
| ACTION: |
You will identify the procedures for conducting interviews and interrogations, protecting and processing a crime scene, preparing and evaluating investigation reports and testifying in court? |
| CONDITION: |
You will have access to this subcourse. |
| STANDARD: |
To demonstrate competency of these tasks, you must receive a minimum of 70 percent on the subcourse examination |
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