Department of Defense (DoD) Police are not drawn from Military Police personnel in the various branches of the Armed Forces, but rather are civilian Law Enforcement Officers who have attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and have been certified for DoD service. In order to qualify for training at FLETC, candidates must be at least eight years of age; a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S.; a high-school graduate (or posses an equivalent academic certification); have no convictions for a Federal or state felony or misdemeanor involving false statements or perjury, no record of disqualifying criminal offenses related to violence, force, dishonesty, theft, liquor or controlled substances, or gambling; and be able to own, possess, or carry a firearm.
Certification of civilians includes successful completion of a standardized training program that is made up of four hundred (400) hours of basic Law Enforcement and Sustainment training, passing medical and physical-fitness standards; qualify with assigned weapons on at least an annual basis; and successfully pass the Department of Defense Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Law Enforcement Examination.