The Military Law Review, Vol
MILITARY LAW REVIEW Volume 161 September 1999 OPENING THE GATE?: AN ANALYSIS OF MILITARY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER CIVILIAN LAWBREAKERS ON AND OFF THE FEDERAL INSTALLATION MAJOR MATTHEW J. GILLIGAN1 Fort Swampy is a large Army installation with exclusive federal jurisdiction. At 2200 one night, military policewoman Sergeant Lisa Smith is driving a police vehicle on traffic patrol when she receives an order to pick up a shoplifter detained at the post exchange by a store detective. Upon arrival, she is shocked to see a man run from the store, grab a woman standing at the gas pumps, violently push the woman into her car, jump into the car with the woman, and speed away. Sergeant Smith pursues the vehicle for two miles at high speeds toward an exit gate that is only open during daytime. Finding the gate closed, the man exits the car, climbs over the gate fence, and runs away. Sergeant Smith quickly ensures the woman is safe, then climbs the fence, draws her 9mm handgun, and pursues the man on foot, chasing him into a crowded trailer park. The man is exhausted, so she gains on him. At thirty feet, he suddenly turns in the darkness, it appears he has a gun. Sergeant Smith fires– bamm, bamm!! The shots miss, but the man hits the ground and gives up. As reinforcements arrive, Sergeant Smith handcuffs 1. Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Army. Presently assigned to Lit- igation Division, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, Arlington, Virginia. B.S., 1987, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; J.D., 1994, University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia.
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