AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION

Subcourse Number MP1018

EDITION D

United States Army Military Police School
Fort McClellan, Alabama 36205-5030

3 credit hours

Edition Date: March 1994

OVERVIEW

This subcourse covers the area of authority and jurisdiction. As a military law enforcement officer, you have one of the most demanding jobs in the Army. You must always keep high standards of appearance and job performance. You are charged with the safety of the military community and with keeping order on military installations.

To accomplish these tasks, you are given responsibilities that far outweigh those of the average soldier. In most cases, you will be armed with an MP club and a firearm or some other lethal weapon. In the performance of your duties, you will stop and question people, apprehend those who break the law, and conduct searches and interrogations. If it becomes necessary, you will use force to be certain that law and order are maintained. All of these responsibilities are entrusted to you.

If you are to properly assume these duties, you must have several qualities. One of the most important of these is a good working knowledge and understanding of the military law. This subcourse is designed to reinforce the basic knowledge which you may have had in military law, as well as to expand your knowledge in this area. If you do not have any prior familiarity with the area of the law, this subcourse will also give you a basic, working knowledge of its legal principles. The successful completion of this subcourse will help prepare you to assume the added responsibilities of a supervisor over those who are engaged in law enforcement duties.

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

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