MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Sworn federal officers now protect and serve Camp Pendleton’s military community with more than new uniforms.
An estimated 180 civilian police officers are expected to be working side-by-side military police by 2011, filling the 66-percent-civilian to 33-percent-military ratio mandated by the Marine Corps Requirements Oversight Council in 2007.
Currently, 66 civilian officers make up the blended force, patrolling Pendleton’s streets, serving as sentries at the gates and monitoring traffic on and off base.
“The civilian police force has, and will, continue to improve life on Pendleton with regard to safety and security,” said Maj. David C. Hyman, provost marshal, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “We have had great success so far, but there is a lot of room to grow.”
Nearly every civilian officer has served in the military and several have lead extensive law-enforcement careers outside of the Department of Defense, said Craig W. Fairbanks, lead instructor, Marine Corps Police Academy.
With experience ranging from federal, state and local agencies, hired officers are also required to attend a nine-week-training course at the recently opened MCPA.
“Every Marine has to leave the Marine Corps at some point and Pendleton’s Provost Marshal Office has been very successful in retaining service members,” said Hyman. “We have officers from every branch of the service either former or in current service.”
Cadets, or MCPA students, complete 365 hours of training and cover 77 different course topics. The curriculum teaches cadets how to deal with and manage occurrences ranging from riot control to common traffic stops and is taught by one of seven instructors with more than 150 years of combined military and law-enforcement experience.
“Often we are thought of as contractors and that is a common misconception,” said Police Sgt. Mark K. Crozier, patrol supervisor, Provost Marshal Office, MCB, and the first federal officer hired. “We are sworn federal police officers hired by the base with vast amounts of experience.”
The academy has graduated three classes since opening and continues certifying cadets. The next class is scheduled to graduate March 19.
The base is fortunate to be receiving a really mature and experienced workforce interacting with the public, said Hyman. Younger Marines will often gravitate toward these officers asking questions about their experiences.
“With change comes friction and I experienced a lot of it in my time in the Corps,” said Fairbanks, retired sergeant major, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. “When Marines began leaving the mess halls, a lot of people were concerned, but it turned out great. Now we can keep Marines at their units accomplishing the mission eliminating unnecessary Fleet Assistance Programs,” he added.
Jobs are not being lost with the base hiring these new officers, said Hyman. These officers are a huge benefit allowing us to keep Marines where we need them the most. They also provide much needed continuity and manpower, he added.
“I might be wearing a different uniform, but I am still the same person with the same values I learned while in the Marine Corps,” said Richard A. Garay, current cadet and former Marine sergeant, PMO, MCB.
For additional information on Camp Pendleton’s Marine Corps Civilian Police, or to learn how to apply, log onto www.usmccle.com or call (858) 768-1997.