MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Twenty-eight graduates of the Marine Corps Police Academy East class 0213 received their certificates and badges from Brig. Gen. Thomas Gorry, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations-East Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and they are now headed to protect facilities across Marine Corps Installations-East.
“The graduating police academy class represents law enforcement officers for installations throughout Marine Corps Installations East,” said Gorry. “It was my honor to recognize their accomplishments as they assume law enforcement responsibilities to protect our bases and serve our military communities.”
Twenty-six of the graduates are prior military, 10 graduates have prior military law enforcement experience and 11 have prior civilian. The men will be tasked to protect commands at MCB Camp Lejeune, Base Quantico, Blount Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort S.C., Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and Marine Forces Reserve.
The academy was established in 2008 to support the training of military and civilian law enforcement under Marine Corps regulations.
All civilian police officers hired by the Marine Corps must first attend Basic Police Officer Course.
Included in the basic course are law classes, patrol techniques, traffic stops, driving under the influence enforcement, building clearing, weapons qualification, first aid and CPR training. All the training is completed over a 12 and a half week course and graduates receive numerous certifications.
In 2011, the police academy began training active-duty Marines who are military policemen as a supplement training course to what they learn in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
To date, 762 students have successfully completed the basic course and 81 of the graduates have been active-duty Marines.