I am currently in an MPI position and with no credentials. Can the commander write a memo for me so I can do MPI duties?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:50:05 -0400

I am currently in an MPI position and with no credentials, my school is not until March. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? Can the commander write a memo for me so I can do MPI duties? Has anybody faced this kind of issue I need help…

Benish

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 9:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:58:26 -0400

No you can't rwcieve creds until your have finished school AND your ojt process signed off by your supervisor....you shouldn't even be working cases by yourself...until complete with the process

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Oct 13 at 2015 10:18 AM

SGT Francis Wright — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:18:11 -0400

Until you graduate MPI School and receive your Creds. You'll be schlepping probie.

Response by SGT William Howell made Oct 13 at 2015 10:23 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:23:49 -0400

You're stuck till you have the school. There is still plenty you can do. There is still tons of leg work that needs to be done on investigations. You need to know how to take statements and collect/log evidence without thinking about it before hitting school.

See if you can get the text books from somebody that has already been and read them. It is not a super hard course, but there is tons of information getting thrown at you. The more you got down before you go the better.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Oct 13 at 2015 10:26 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:26:08 -0400

I can't comment specifically, but I will make a general comment. Credentials and responsibilities are often combined for specific duties due to a legal requirement. For instance, if you do something without being properly trained, educated, or without a proper credential, even though your intent may be good, and something goes wrong, you and/or the company (or entity you represent) could be in serious trouble.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 2:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:11:25 -0400

As i remember you will have to finish V5 school prior to receiving your Creds. The school is what allows you to legally sy that the investigating were done iaw the way your were trained. I went to V5 back in 97 and that was the case then too.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 13 at 2015 10:12 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:12:34 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member You are an MP already, so I am assuming that you are simply going to be in "assist mode" until you have completed the training to "certify" you for the job. You should essentially be serving as #2 on cases, much like you would be upon graduation, and until you get your legs under you. I would take this time to learn about the transition from MP to MPI and essentially latch onto a squared away investigator and essentially let that person take you to "school". Formal training is what it is, and sets you up for the job, provides a solid foundation for you to grow on, however the value of solid local knowledge is irreplaceable, when learning the ins and outs of the job. And while many things are standard, there are always location specific preferences within commands.
Being an investigator is significantly different than being a traditional MP. Good luck. MPI was (cannot speak to it now) a very good school, a lot of information passed in a relatively short time frame. It will set you up for many opportunities down the road.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:59 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:59:35 -0400

You won't be able to obtain creds until you finish MPI school. You can assist with interview and investigations but you are not allowed to run your own cases. I had MPI school en route to Germany last year and it took a couple months until I was able to get my creds so I was unable to run my own investigation. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me as I am currently an Investigator in Grafenwoehr, Germany. I'll help in any way possible.

Response by 1SG John Theobald made Oct 15 at 2015 1:37 PM

1SG John Theobald — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:37:57 -0400

Continue to soldier on in your current position as an MPI assistant/helper. Learn everything you can about the actual duties and responsibilities of an Military Police Investigator. Take a lot of notes, that will help you when you go to school in March. Read SGT William's comment again, he is right on with his information and guidance. And Good Luck with your future assignment as an MPI Investigator.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Conkright made Oct 20 at 2015 4:17 PM

TSgt Kenneth Conkright — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:17:11 -0400

I was an MPI as an A1C and didn't go to school until I was a SrA. You can perform all the duties but will not be credentialed until after MPI School. Unless the regs state you are not allowed to carry out the assigned duties.

Response by TSgt James Reilly made Oct 21 at 2015 9:28 AM

TSgt James Reilly — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:28:45 -0400

I know this has been answered several times over already, but AR 190-30 states installation provost marshals will ensure candidates have completed the Military Police Investigator's Course at USAMPS prior to performing investigative duties AND issue credentials only after completion of the course.

Response by Sgt Jonathan Walker made Oct 21 at 2015 2:57 PM

Sgt Jonathan Walker — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:57:33 -0400

As an MP you can investigate, enforce, and uphold all regulations you are allowed to enforce on your base. Mp's can take statements, participate in investigations, (with guidance from CID), and do all kinds of things. You can do just about everything CID can. Just work with them and learn as much as you can until you go to school. Good Luck.

Response by SSG Timothy McDonald made Oct 21 at 2015 3:04 PM

SSG Timothy McDonald — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:04:32 -0400

Writing a memo does nothing but tell the commander he is putting somebody in the position. Your orders did that already. You must attend school to be official, but anybody can work the position of investigator as long as the person in charge has credentials. You would just work up under that person.

Response by SSgt Chris Frey made Oct 21 at 2015 6:03 PM

SSgt Chris Frey — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:03:07 -0400

Lots of information. I was in the same spot before. The commander can write you a letter to carry out official duties. I'd recommend a MFR just to CYA.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 9:03 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:03:21 -0400

Continue with your training and OJT. Look into going to any Local and state Investigation courses you can. MPI will only give you a credential, but not make you an investigator.

Your commander has some discretion. Go with what your command says.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Oct 21 at 2015 9:10 PM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:10:09 -0400

I can't speak for today's current regs but I was in the same position years ago and I was credentialed . Being school trained does not cause you to be credentialed. The school is just like any other service school. You get an additional skill identifier on your MOS. Credentialing is up to the local Provost Marshal. In fact I was working as a credentialed investigator for over a year, then I went to the school enroute to my nest duty station. When I arrived all of the MPI slots were filled and I wound up as a Desk Sgt. I never again worked as a credentialed investigator.

Response by SSG James Raschke made Oct 22 at 2015 11:17 AM

SSG James Raschke — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:17:01 -0400

Back in 1984 When i became a MPI We had no credentials to show for. Just the CID.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 3:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 03:26:17 -0500

You will not be authorized certain things, such as the issuance of credentials until you are awarded the V5 ASI. As far as evidence custodian goes, that is something that can be delegated to another position 31B20 or higher (311A series included) see 195-5, its not exclusively an MPI duty. Also IAW with 190-30 you won't be authorized a civilian clothing allowance until you're awarded the ASI. The best thing for you to do is determine purview IAW 190-30 and 195-2 Annex B. There is no difference in authority between MPI and a regular patrolman; just expertise and virtue of duty position. You may still wear civilian clothes if it is authorized by the commander or Provost Marshal. Ensure if you're taking over as NCOIC that the case tracker is up to date and that your subordinates aren't spending too much time (case review every week) review with PM every 30 days) on having cases open. Other than that, all other tasks are implied. Also, coordinate with other agencies (CID, FBI, OSI, NCIS etc.) to advance your own training as well as that of your soldiers. Ya know, NCO stuff.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 11:51 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 23:51:45 -0500

Hey battle I'm in MPI school right now, it's brutal but I am definitely learning a lot! I graduate March 8th so mabey we will see each other in passing. Best of luck to you!

Response by SSG Mark Metzler made Sep 27 at 2016 6:07 PM

SSG Mark Metzler — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:07:58 -0400

When I was in the Army, I was a 95BV5, I worked MPI. I Was an Evidence Custodian & Investigator. I never went to school, the NCOIC, always reallocated my class slot. The creds were always locally issued, there not DA issued creds. They are endorsed by the Provost Marshal, or Post Commander. Your higher ups just need to get the paperwork done, that's all. Good luck.

Response by SFC Timothy N. Livengood made Apr 7 at 2017 9:30 PM

SFC Timothy N. Livengood — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:30:40 -0400

I personally attended MPI school and attained the additional skill identifier. You would be able to perform certain aspects as an investigator as a Senior MP, however without Credentials and not having an allocation for a V5 spot. You will not be able to identify as MPI.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 6:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:47:14 -0400

It ha been many years since I worked MPI but last I remember the answer was no, It is required that you go through school first in order to be credentialed. You can OJT if the Commander allows it but you can't get credentials.

Response by SGT James Hinch made Nov 28 at 2018 6:00 PM

SGT James Hinch — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 18:00:48 -0500

I spent 6 months in MPI waiting to go to school. You have to be V5 to have creds and work cases solo. You can assist other MPI on cases and learn. Other than that, you're going to be the additional duty guy. (Evidence room, AWOL, Civilian police liaison, etc)

Response by SCPO Victor Glaviano made Jan 11 at 2022 9:33 PM

SCPO Victor Glaviano — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 21:33:32 -0500

I know in the Navy the CO can, but usually you will be in a CID billet and will for FLW in route, then get what we call an Naval Enlisted Classifier (NEC 2002) or an identifier in the Army. Used be before the PSD course was established (NEC 2009), you also were the PSD overseas for the CO or other HVIs.