Abuse Of Privileges?

[buddy999]

And I'm sure you've seen some fat asses we have in the Navy.
:Chiefs:

Yes. And they have a funny way of avoiding the PFT cycle. I had a chief at one of my commands that hated to do PT so much he didn't require anyone to do PT. As a result, when a new chief arrived, I had difficulty passing. I was on remedial PT for over 6 months.

 

[Bustem' Down]

Yes. And they have a funny way of avoiding the PFT cycle. I had a chief at one of my commands that hated to do PT so much he didn't require anyone to do PT. As a result, when a new chief arrived, I had difficulty passing. I was on remedial PT for over 6 months.

That sucks.

 

[Dixie]

Ken, this is not correct. A lot of folks are under the impression that "Federal" means arrest authority for everything, everywhere. Not correct!
Officers at the bases you mentioned are Police Officers with the Department of Defense Police. They have juristiction to enforce federal laws on United States Military installations and property owned and managed by the Department of Defense. They do not have the authority to enforce state, county and local laws, or enforce traffic violations on roadways, that are not on Federal property.
This concept applies to most Federal Law Enforcement. For example, The United States Park Police. They have Federal law enforcement authority on properties owned, managed and controlled by the United States Department of the Interior. (That includes some Federal roadways) They do not have police authority to enforce state/local criminal statutes in Maryland or stop a motorist on a state or county highway and issue a traffic citation.
Most Federal Officers can enforce Federal laws anywhere in the United States, but they do not have general police authority to effect arrests for crimes committed off of Federal Properties that amount to violations of the Maryland criminal code or state transportation article.

So....the base cop from Websters Field did NOT have the right to call me over to his car, shine a bright flashlight in my face, ask me what I was doing out at 5am, ask me if I had been drinking, why was I walking around with car keys in hand (house key same ring), where did I live, why was I dressed in dark colors, how much had I had to drink, (rephrasal of had I been drinking), did I have some identification, what was my last name as he had to call me in to see if I was wanted for something, then accuse me of lying because my last name is so weird. As a left wing liberal nut job, I so badly wanted to call him a facist pig but I was so baffled at the time, I couldn't come up with anything but..but...but you're just a base cop.

 

[baswm]

I believe they want them driving their patrol car for the visiability effect. Could be wrong though.

More police cruisers are seen on the roads and it makes the bad guys think twice before doing something that they shouldn't.

 

[Ken King]

Ken, this is not correct. A lot of folks are under the impression that "Federal" means arrest authority for everything, everywhere. Not correct!
Officers at the bases you mentioned are Police Officers with the Department of Defense Police. They have juristiction to enforce federal laws on United States Military installations and property owned and managed by the Department of Defense. They do not have the authority to enforce state, county and local laws, or enforce traffic violations on roadways, that are not on Federal property.
This concept applies to most Federal Law Enforcement. For example, The United States Park Police. They have Federal law enforcement authority on properties owned, managed and controlled by the United States Department of the Interior. (That includes some Federal roadways) They do not have police authority to enforce state/local criminal statutes in Maryland or stop a motorist on a state or county highway and issue a traffic citation.
Most Federal Officers can enforce Federal laws anywhere in the United States, but they do not have general police authority to effect arrests for crimes committed off of Federal Properties that amount to violations of the Maryland criminal code or state transportation article.

They are Federal Officers even if employed by DOD and they have the authority to enforce Federal laws whether on or off station. I don't believe that I mentioned that they were empowered to enforce state/county/municipal laws. Additionally, as I am sure you know, they have concurring agreements with local and state agencies that would allow them to continue pursuit off of the station to make an arrest (or issue a citation) outside the property boundaries for even minor traffic infractions that they witnessed originating on the station, that was my meaning of full jurisdiction.

And in concurrence with Larry, please break up those paragraphs. Try hitting enter twice.

 

[ChattyCat]

in response to your question of abuse of privileges.......when the officers take the oath to serve and protect the citizens it's a 24/7 oath. At no time during their career are they OFFICALLY off duty until the officer chooses to end that career for what ever reason. Paying taxes for the officer to drive that cruiser off duty should not be an issue to anyone that has required their assistance. you never know when you will need an officer to repond to YOUR situation! I hope I never need that type of assistance but it's worth them driving that cruiser on or off duty just in case.

 

[Larry Gude]

Dix...

So....the base cop from Websters Field did NOT have the right to call me over to his car, shine a bright flashlight in my face, ask me what I was doing out at 5am, ask me if I had been drinking, why was I walking around with car keys in hand (house key same ring), where did I live, why was I dressed in dark colors, how much had I had to drink, (rephrasal of had I been drinking), did I have some identification, what was my last name as he had to call me in to see if I was wanted for something, then accuse me of lying because my last name is so weird. As a left wing liberal nut job, I so badly wanted to call him a facist pig but I was so baffled at the time, I couldn't come up with anything but..but...but you're just a base cop.

...facist pig?

How come you're so hostile to cops? I'm serious; if you've been abused by cops, it's best for it to be as common knowledge as possible. I appreciate and respect cops, those that deserve it. Bad cops are like bad people and bad apples; they cause good people to be lumped in unfairly.

 

[ccrc1]

they have concurring agreements with local and state agencies that would allow them to continue pursuit off of the station to make an arrest (or issue a citation) outside the property boundaries for even minor traffic infractions that they witnessed originating on the station, that was my meaning of full jurisdiction.

Hi Ken, I responded because the average person reading "full jurisdiction" would take that meaning as, an officer empowered by law to make arrests. If the DoD officer is off the base and not on some type of DoD property, he/she does not have any justiction at all. At that point they become uniformed civilians and good witnesses. You are correct, that they can stop, detain and arrest off the base, if the violation occured on the military installation.

I took the original posters question on this topic to mean, can the base cops take police action when they are not on the base and they observe some sort of crime or infraction occuring. The answer is no, they would not have power of arrest unless acting in a mutual aid capacity. (Mutual aid capacity would be in effect in the event of a disaster or major incident where the civilian authorities have officially requested help from DoD. They would have limited juristiction and powers of arrest for the duration of the event)

I think we are on the same page, but I was concerned how average citizen would interpret the information. There are always some exceptions in these cases. Memorandums of Understanding are created between the military and civilian authorities for these exceptions when parties are working in each others jurisdiction. Most of them deal with civilian authorities crossing on to military property, and the mutual aid issues.

 

[Dixie]

...facist pig?

How come you're so hostile to cops? I'm serious; if you've been abused by cops, it's best for it to be as common knowledge as possible. I appreciate and respect cops, those that deserve it. Bad cops are like bad people and bad apples; they cause good people to be lumped in unfairly.

You must have missed the left wing liberal nut job part - my days of calling anyone a facist pig disappeared years ago. It just came to mind that day as this guy was more than a little overzealous. As far as I know I still have the right to go for a walk, peacefully, w/o having a flashlight in my face, being questioned for drinking several different ways when it was so obvious that I hadn't been and being called a liar for things a base cop well off the base had no right to know or question me about. As far as hostility towards cops, they respect me, I respect them no questions asked.

 

[ccrc1]

Hi Dixie,
For me to give you a correct answer I would need to know where you were at specifically, when this contact occured. Some places outside military installations while not marked, can be Federal property under the managment of DoD. Certain housing locations can fit into this catagory.

The bottom line here is, if you feel the officer acted improperly or outside of his authority, you may make a complaint at the DoD police headquarters just like you would with the county or state police.

EDIT
Dixie, I went back and read your original question again. If you were on the base (you refer to Webster Field) then by all means, did the officer have the authority to stop and question you. You must be carefull on Miltary bases, the Military Law Enforcement officials have much broader authority than Civilian police do on the base. The military police can stop you at any time, question you and demand ID. They can stop and search you and your vehicle at any time for any reason. They have signs at every entrance point that explains this. Once you step foot on a military installation its a whole different kettle of fish when it comes to detention and search and seizure.

The "base cops" as you refer to them are Federal police, not gate guards or rent-a-cops.

 

[bad1032]

The answer to your question is YES they are allowed to use the vehicle, Its a benifit when hired, alot of times they will be the first ones to a scene if need arises. As far as DOD , they do not have jurisdiction other then the base, They can not carry their weapons off duty legally,

 

[PrchJrkr]

The answer to your question is YES they are allowed to use the vehicle, Its a benifit when hired, alot of times they will be the first ones to a scene if need arises. As far as DOD , they do not have jurisdiction other then the base, They can not carry their weapons off duty legally,

Thanks for your input. You sound like a great authority on everything.

 

[Dixie]

Hi Dixie,
For me to give you a correct answer I would need to know where you were at specifically, when this contact occured. Some places outside military installations while not marked, can be Federal property under the managment of DoD. Certain housing locations can fit into this catagory.

The bottom line here is, if you feel the officer acted improperly or outside of his authority, you may make a complaint at the DoD police headquarters just like you would with the county or state police.

Route 5 around the Saint Inigoes Post Office about 5 miles from the base. I did call to ask what their authority/jurisdiction was; they said they'd get back with me.

 

[bad1032]

Your best bet is to call, Capt Mercer at 301 757 4663, if you get no results there, contact Director Tom Dougherty at 301 342 8140. good luck

 

[Dixie]

Your best bet is to call, Capt Mercer at 301 757 4663, if you get no results there, contact Director Tom Dougherty at 301 342 8140. good luck

Garrell????? Great guy, impossible to reach. I really don't care anymore, it happened some time ago, I was just curious about his (their) authority off base. Want to mess with their head if it ever happens again.

 

[Lugnut]

...

 

[Dixie]

Hi Dixie,
EDIT
Dixie, I went back and read your original question again. If you were on the base (you refer to Webster Field) then by all means, did the officer have the authority to stop and question you. You must be carefull on Miltary bases, the Military Law Enforcement officials have much broader authority than Civilian police do on the base. The military police can stop you at any time, question you and demand ID. They can stop and search you and your vehicle at any time for any reason. They have signs at every entrance point that explains this. Once you step foot on a military installation its a whole different kettle of fish when it comes to detention and search and seizure.

The "base cops" as you refer to them are Federal police, not gate guards or rent-a-cops.

In response to your edit I live near Websters Field, I have never been on that base and I was five miles away from that base at the time. Twenty years in the Navy - believe me I know the drill w/MPs SPs, and DoD (or base cops as several of them that I know personally call themselves). As far as I know Saint Inigoes is not owned by the Navy and I'm sure as hell not owned by them anymore.

 

[ccrc1]

Ok, I hope I was able to help you somewhat. Your situation does sound as if the officer was outside of his area of authority. I hope you get a responce from the base. Good luck

 

[Dixie]

Ok, I hope I was able to help you somewhat. Your situation does sound as if the officer was outside of his area of authority. I hope you get a responce from the base. Good luck

Thanks, you did!

 

[itsbob]

In this post 9-11 era.. the post office you talk off is AWFUL close to tha base.. and would be a perfect location for someone to do some possible eavesdropping on some of the tests ongoing at St Inigoes.. Just as he has the authority to question someone stopped on the side of the road outside the fence, I don't think he overstedded his bounds talking to you at o-dark thirty about why you were where you were.

A substantial part of testing at both bases goes well beyond the fences, and if they feel you may be there with bad intentions toward sour security, then thank god (or whomever) that they take their jobs serious enough to have stopped you.

As far as the lightin your face, that sounds like something for HIS safety. if he doesn't know why you are there it makes perfect sense.. but I'm sure if you complain to some democrat somewhere, I'm sure we can stop them from doing their jobs so well.