Photo Information

Marine and civilian students review their work together in the same classroom aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Feb. 11. Both groups went through the same training at the Marine Corps Police Academy West: Marines for follow-on training and civilian students for certification to become Marine Corps civilian police officers.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn

Military police work alongside civilian police aboard air station

14 Feb 2014 | Lance Cpl. Michael Thorn Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Marines and civilian police officers attend the Basic Police Officer Course beginning Jan. 6 at the Marine Corps Police Academy West aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. 
 
Marine military police stationed on west coast installations and civilian students go through this 12-week training course consisting of topics such as law, traffic management and patrol and post incidents.
 
“Selected Marines who are already military police come here for in-depth, follow-on training, whereas civilians apply to get the required certification to work as police officers. It’s a great experience for both sides,” said Mark Murphy, an academy instructor.

Marines gain more knowledge while the civilian students that come through assist with the workload on military police and obtain a solid, long-term career through this and their future experience over the years, explained Murphy.
 
The academy gives students a more extensive education than some civilian academies because of the military community it serves, explains Yaneri Ramirez, a student at the academy.
 
“It’s a different ball game at this academy with different codes we have to adhere to along with everything else other police officers elsewhere learn,” said Ramirez. “A lot of the training is realistic, hands-on, and I can’t wait to get out there and use what I’ve learned.”
 
Students in the course come together at the academy as one combined working force.
 
“Working with the [civilian police officers] is seamless,” said Lance Cpl. Quenton Holbert, a student at the academy from 1st Law Enforcement Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. “It’s just like working with fellow Marines.”
 
Marines who graduate from the academy bring valuable knowledge back to their units, and civilian students who graduate become a part of local and military law enforcement. To learn more about the academy, visit http://www.usmccle.com/civLawHome.htm.


Marine Corps Air Station Miramar