By Justin Creech
Staff writer
Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fort Belvoir residents and Department of Defense civilians who work on post can feel secure being on the installation.

The Directorate of Emergency Services and Fort Belvoir Police Department enforce the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and Virginia State Code daily to ensure the safety of all post residents and employees.

“We provide safety just like any local police department would,” said Timothy Wolfe, Fort Belvoir police chief. “These communities are part of a city which is Fort Belvoir. We provide everything from traffic enforcement to speeding, parking violations, and all the way up to any kind of criminal offense like larceny or burglary.”

Through a combination of vehicle patrols, walking patrols, bicycle patrols, and force protection measures at the gates, with the assistance of the gate guards, DES and FBPD enforce the full range of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, federal, state and Fort Belvoir installation regulations.

Servicemembers on post fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but Family members and guests who come on to the installation are subject to the Virginia State Code.

So, if a servicemember is caught speeding, he can be issued a ticket under the Virginia State Code, or a DD form1408 under the UCMJ.

“There is nothing in the UCMJ that says a servicemember can’t speed, so it has to go under VA State Code, and it’s the same thing with his wife, children and guests to the installation,” said Wolfe. “We can also give servicemembers a 1408 which is a warning ticket and their command can get involved and take care of the issue.”

Neighborhoods are monitored on a 24-hour basis through motor vehicle, bicycle and walking patrols.

“We want to serve as a deterrent to any criminal activity,” said Capt. Steven Galay, FBPD patrol division. “It also helps mitigate bad driving behavior.”

Criminal offenses committed on post by servicemembers, their Family, or civilians are handled several different ways.

Children under the age of 18, civilian or military cannot be tried in a federal court, so they are turned over to the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations court.

Civilians age 18 and older who commit a criminal offense on post are coordinated for prosecution through the U.S. District Court in conjunction with the Staff Judge Advocate for Fort Belvoir.

“We have to call the SJA and they have to see if we can hold the offender at Quantico, or Alexandria jail,” said Wolfe. “That’s only after we’ve conferred with SJA. The SJA prosecutes everything the local law enforcement agencies put forth.”

Belvoir law enforcement has the same duties and responsibilities as Fairfax County Police.

Fairfax County Police enforce the Virginia State Code and county codes like traffic and criminal violations, and patrol county neighborhoods on a 24-hour, 7-day a week basis.

“We patrol our neighborhoods with automobiles and motorcycles,” said Officer Bud Walker, Fairfax County Police Department. “Depending on the situation, an officer might park his car and get on foot patrol.”