Monthly Archives: April 2019

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – The Army Civilian Police Department (DACP) is an important part of the Military Police team when it comes to securing and patrolling Army installations across the world.
From chief of police to officers on patrol, these law enforcement professionals play a vital role in enabling the military police force to fulfill its law enforcement function. According to the DACP mission statement, these officers are part of the long-term plan to provide a core of institutional professionalism, experience and knowledge while ensuring operational continuity at Fort Campbell and within the military.

“We [DACPs] Approach each day with one mindset: “Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and well-being of the families of our soldiers and our soldiers,” said Chief of Police Keith Shumate.

According to Shumate, the DACP is an extension of the military police force.

“We are law enforcement professionals who ‘enhance the readiness’ of Fort Campbell and the military by protecting the facility’s infrastructure and personnel through enforcement of laws and regulations,” Shumate said.

The majority of DACP officers are former service soldiers and have either served in the military police or were soldiers stationed here at Fort Campbell. For this reason, these officers bring a valuable perspective to today’s law enforcement operations.

“I have worked as a DACP at Fort Campbell since 2016,” said DACP Cpl. Ignace Rivera. “MPs and DACPs have a great working relationship and despite the different uniforms everyone works as one team. “

Before exchanging his combat uniform for the dark navy blue of the DACP, Rivera was part of the 716th MP Bn. at Fort Campbell for several years.

“I was deputy of the 212th MP company from 2007 to 2009 in Germany; I deployed to Iraq with them, then moved to Fort Bliss from 2009-2011 with the 72nd MP Detachment before moving to Fort Campbell for my last duty station in 2011, ”said Rivera. . “I was part of both the 551st MP Co. and the 163rd MP Detachment here at Fort Campbell, before reaching my term of office and being released from the military in 2015.”

Currently, the soldiers of the 716th MP Bn. enforce the law for cycles that last about six months. These short cycles create unique challenges when transitioning law enforcement between units.

DACP officers within the Fort Campbell Provost Marshal’s office remain with the organization well beyond these cycles, creating a source of continuity and leadership to facilitate each transition between new units.

In addition to patrolling the streets, DACPs also act as shift supervisors or shift commanders, as well as in various managerial positions within the Office of the Installation Provost Marshal (IPMO).

“Having senior leaders within the organization with decades of law enforcement expertise and life experience mitigates the risks associated with the natural turnover of leaders within the military, enabling the continued law enforcement operations at Fort Campbell, ”Rivera said.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is teaching and mentoring new MP soldiers who work on the road. [law enforcement] here. I always try to make myself a resource for the soldiers, ”Rivera continues.

Sgt. Christopher McKinley, a patrol supervisor with the 561st MP Company, has worked for the past six months in law enforcement at Fort Campbell.

McKinley says officers like Rivera are invaluable teammates and mentors when new soldiers start working for law enforcement.

“DACPs provide a valuable foundation of knowledge and continuity,” McKinley said. “During times of high call volume, if I hear one of these agents [DACP] are somewhere with one of my soldiers, I know they are going to be an asset on stage. It allows me to step back and catch my breath as a supervisor to deal with other incidents.

DACP officers undergo extensive training before being certified by the US Army Civilian Police Academy (USACPA) at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

The USACPA trains officers based on the standards and requirements set by the Office of the Provost Marshal, the primary authority for the MP Corps as a whole.

The USACPA has been accredited by Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation, which means it is one of the best law enforcement academies across the country. In addition, the USACPA trains law enforcement officers from other branches such as the Coast Guard, exemplifying the institution’s high standards and quality instruction.