Military Police

SPRING 2015

Military Police contains information about military police functions in maneuver and mobility support, area security, law and order, internment/resettlement, and police intelligence operations.

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19 MILITARY POLICE . 19-15-1 of the cases, the crime is over before police arrive. In 56 per- cent of the cases in which the attack is ongoing when offcers arrive, the offcers are required to use force to stop the at- tack. 4 First responders are trained to move directly to the threat and to stop the shooting as quickly as possible. When law enforcement personnel arrive, remain calm and quiet and follow their instructions. Keep your hands visible and open. If you are carrying anything (including a jacket or a purse), drop it. Do not do anything to slow the response or distract the reponders from their mission to locate and stop the shooter. Potential Violence On 16 September 2013, Aaron Alexis shot 16 people, kill- ing 12 and wounding four, at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., before he was killed by law enforcement personnel. This was the deadliest military installation shooting incident since the November 2009 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, where 12 Soldiers and one DOD civilian em- ployee were killed and 42 others were injured. After action reviews of these situations revealed that both attackers had previously shown signs of suspicious behavior or potential violence. In addition, indicators of potential violence have been observed in advance of many other active-shooter cases. It is important to learn to identify the indicators of potential violence, to remain alert, and to report any relevant observa- tions so that future acts of violence are prevented whenever possible. Some indicators of potential violence are 5— • Increased use of alcohol or illegal drugs. • Unexplained increase in absenteeism. • Vague physical complaints. • Noticeable decrease in attention to appearance and hy- giene. • Depression or withdrawal. • Overreaction and resistance to changes in policies and procedures. • Repeated violations of company policies. • Increased or severe mood swings. • Obvious emotional or unstable responses. • Explosive outbursts of anger or rage with no provocation. • Suicidal comments. • Paranoid utterances or behavior. • Increased discussion about fnancial diffculties or prob- lems at home. • Escalation of voicing domestic problems in the workplace. • Talk of previous incidents of violence. • Empathy with individuals who commit violent acts. • Increased, unsolicited comments about frearms, danger- ous weapons, and violent crimes. Conclusion Units, activities, and communities throughout the Army are considered safe places to work and live. Still, the Army Family cannot ignore the fact that murders have occurred on and near military facilities. Soldiers who have an awareness and understanding of the active-shooter threat, have received incident response training, and have the ability to identify indicators of potential violence are best prepared to handle an active-shooter incident. Know the threat, and know what to do. Note: The Department of Homeland Security Web site at serves as an additional source of active-shooter information for Families and the general public. The site, which does not require a CAC for access, contains active-shooter posters, pamphlets, and pocket cards (in English and Spanish) and offers extensive training options. Endnotes: 1 "Active Shooter: How to Respond," Department of Home- land Security, October 2008, , accessed on 8 December 2014. 2 "Antiterrorism Active Shooter Community Response: Cop- ing With an Active Shooter," Department of the Army, , accessed on 8 December 2014. 3 John Nicoletti, "Detection and Disruption of Insider/ Outsider Perpetrated Violence" lecture, Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership, December 2012. 4 J. Pete Blair and M. Hunter Martaindale, "United States Active Shooter Events From 2000 to 2010: Training and Equip- ment Implications," Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Re- sponse Training Web site, Texas State University, March 2013, , accessed on 11 December 2014. 5 "Antiterrorism Active Shooter Community Response: Coping With an Active Shooter." "Active Shooter Response Training," Network, , accessed on 13 January 2015. "General Security Shorts," Defense Security Service, DOD, , accessed on 13 January 2015. " 'Run-Hide-Fight' Active Shooter PSA," Law Offcer: Tactics, Technology, Training, , accessed on 13 January 2015. Mr. Kirkland, a Certifed Protection Professional, is the U.S. Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) antiterror- offcer; Provost Marshal; Protection Director- ate; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7); Headquarters, TRADOC; Joint Base Langley/Eu- stis, Virginia. He retired with 30 years of service in the U.S. last serving as the sergeant of the 924th Military Police Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas.

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