True/False: Civilians can be detained on military installations.

• A. True
• B. Only with a warrant
• C. Only for 24 hours
• D. False

Answer: (A)

The ability of a military installation to detain civilians rests on the base’s own policing authority. When someone is on a base, the security forces there have the power to take someone into custody if it’s needed for safety, security, or to pursue an investigation. This detention can occur without a warrant in many base-specific situations, because the base police are enforcing base regulations and safeguarding the installation. The detention is intended to be temporary and is subject to later review or transfer to civilian authorities or to military justice as appropriate. So, civilians on a military installation can indeed be detained.