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Careers: Police/Benefits of being an MP first then a civilian police officer

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Expert: Eric Potts - 2/26/2009


Question
I am an army recruiter and am asked all the time about if the military police education helps soldiers become civilian police officers. The truth is I dont really know can you help me out?

Answer
Hi Jack,

Police Departments are "para-military" organizations to begin with so any time spent in the Armed Forces, no matter what MOS, is looked upon favorably-that of course is with an Honorable Discharge.

Military Police Training is a plus, however, MP School does not substitute for the Police Academy and soldiers exiting the service and seeking a job as a Police Officer in civilian life will still have to attend the Police Academy.

Most Police Departments now require applicants to have, at a minimum, an Associates Degree OR 3 Years Military Service, so for those not wishing to attend College it is a HUGE benefit. It certainly benefited me. I served for 6 years active duty and was hired very quickly after getting out of the Military.

Thanks for your question I hope I answered it for you and most of all-Thank You for your service to our Country I Salute You my Army Brother!

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Eric Potts

Expertise

I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.

Experience

I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School Basic Law Enforcement Training Arson Investigators School DARE Officer Training Interview and Interrogation School Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer

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