CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) -- The Marine Corps has created its first law enforcement battalions - a lean, specialized force of military police officers that it hopes can quickly deploy worldwide to help investigate crimes from terrorism to drug trafficking and train fledgling security forces in allied nations.
The Corps activated three such battalions last month. Each is made up of roughly 500 military police officers and dozens of dogs. The Marine Corps has had police battalions off and on since World War II but they were primarily focused on providing security, such as accompanying fuel convoys or guarding generals on visits to dangerous areas, said Maj. Jan Durham, commander of the 1st Law Enforcement Battalion at Camp Pendleton.
The idea behind the law enforcement battalions is to consolidate the military police and capitalize on their investigative skills and police training, he said. The new additions come as every branch in the military is trying to show its flexibility and resourcefulness amid defense cuts.
Marines have been increasingly taking on the role of a street cop along with their combat duties over the past decade in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they have been in charge of training both countries' security forces. Those skills now can be used as a permanent part of the Marine Corps, Durham said.
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Replies
It pays to wait; with budget cuts, we (California) can have an advantage and role of military police force for what riots and Occupy's .. Couple other states have it as well.. There's more gun owners than McDonald's employees' in the U.S. Do WE See the government plan ahead; right before our eyes..!!! For all PFA members and other net-sites We the People hear breaking alerts, like the `Ole Pony Express Still the truth comes Out.~~ Lock & Load..
Ronald my Brother..........you (CA) will NEED Military Police forces as the cities are "broke"......Governor "Moon Flower" in Round 2 of his mission to spread Love and Peace, will be the first one to yell "help me!" when the Fit hits the Shan.......We were lucky to escape during the Arnold yearzzzz.
If California TRULY wanted to be a leader in changing things, Californians should throw EVERY single Assemblyman and Senator out of office and begin anew......."Moon Flower" and the rest of the Country would get the hint and fall in line. Then We ALL could focus on D.C., as they would be next!
Personally, I would love to see SOMEONE start with ads throughout the State. Simply asking "WHEN HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH CALIFORNIA? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP LETTING LEGISLATORS DICTATE YOUR LIVES? Just show what they've done over the past 30 years and the results......It can be done, Prop 8 passed, regardless of the Court battle, it passed.......the voters just have to show up.
Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis
And how long will it be before these "law enforcement battalions" are set loose on American civilians in violation of the US Constitution?
Sheila,
Without trying to take this personally, as you are making an insinuation, whether justified or not, against my Brothers and Sisters; I refer you to Marine Corps Order (MCO) 5500.6H which is new as it is posted as a "FINAL":
http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%205500.6H.pdf
Many questons have been posted across the board of various websites regarding this and other issues.
Page 1-5 paragraph f.:
f. Lawful Order. An order received from competent authority which a person of ordinary sense and understanding would know is not contrary to law.
Marines take their oath very seriously, ALL branches of Service have had training regarding Mei Lei and the UCMJ. All Americans are subject to Title 18 USC. Yes, there will ALWAYS be those pinheads, but the majority of Marines will NOT obey an unlawful order. Something else, in my second assignment before reenlistment, the Officers were beginning to teach more of a leadership role to us NCOs; where WE make the decision in the field. This puts more responsibility upon a smaller unit and they must think for themselves; rather than wait for the Generals and Battalion Commanders to orchestrate the whole operation from behind the bunker......real time leadership.
Guess the only answer is that we'll just have to get to that point and see what happens.........
Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis
Lawful orders can only come from a legal president. So I suspect most marines know this and will behave accordingly....at least the few I know will do so! I trust our troops may waiver slightly as their families and livelihoods are threatened, but ultimately, I believe honor and patriotism will prevail.
Lawful orders can come from any part of the Chain of Command and ALL within the military side of that Chain of Command are subject to the UCMJ Articles 90-92. It is that way until you get to the Civilian side and then Title 18 takes over for Civilians INCLUDING the President; as it addresses ALL Americans. I don't understand why we don't address violations by USC and CFRs to our Legislators.
18 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2011 Edition
Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 13 - CIVIL RIGHTS
Sec. 245 - Federally protected activities
From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title18/html/USCODE-2011-t...
Many people don't even know about U.S. Code (USC) nor do they know about the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The "Authority" for CFRs is normally the U.S. Code (USC). We need to be as educated as possible on these sections of our Laws; difficult? Absolutely!, as they are normally in legaleze that can be very cumbersome and confusing; but if you take the time, you can maneuver your way through them to have a good understanding of what the Government can and cannot do to you.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/federal/
Also, most departments, think exactly that; that you have no knowledge these even exist. So, when dealing with agencies and you start spouting off those that you know that affect them in dealing with you.....I have found they are not as indignant. Prime example Title 21 IRS Code.........
"I'm sorry, but that is unacceptable; as it violates (USC/CFRs)......."
Of course it's a lot easier to address this Golden Eagle, when you DON'T have bullets flying in your direction.........Plan for the worst case scenario, PRAY for the best, and Thank God when you're stil breathing.....
Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis
Yup, we need to keep a close eye on that! Illegitmus Non Carborumdum
As I trust the AP as far as I can throw a ABC News reporter, I went direct to the Source.......www.Marines.mil and searched "Law Enforcement Battalions" and got the scoop straight from the "Horses mouth". There are such units being deployed overseas and within CONUS (Contigious United States) They ARE being trained in LEO tactics. But then came across this article......
http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/NewsStories/2004/Keeping...
Keeping the Peace, "B" Company receives non-lethal training
Story Date 3/8/2004 By Byline , Unit Marine Barracks 8th & I
Exactly what I was thinking! Hussain wants these for the American citizens he is planning to enslave! They will be perfect for the round up to fema camps! Just remember the survey taken about a year ago among the military where it came out that 30% of the military said they would fire on American citizens if ordered by their superiors!
Yea, Well Sniping will always overcome aggressive 'Policing'; they will be forced to 'Button-UP' in their armor, then its like I.E.D, advantage to the 'Home Team'. Hope my kids have enough sense to stay out of it if the time comes for our military to decide which side it is on!