'Units of hundreds of military police officers trained to investigate crimes have been created by the marine corps and will “assist local authorities” in securing crime scenes and building cases, reports the Associated Press.

The report notes that “The battalions will be capable of helping control civil disturbances, handling detainees, carrying out forensic work, and using biometrics to identify suspects.”

While the units, each comprising 500 military police officers and dozens of dogs, will “deploy worldwide”, recent forays by the military into domestic policing in the United States may have some Americans wondering if the newly created “law enforcement battalions” will be used at home.'

Read more: Marine Corps Law Enforcement Battalions To 'Control Civil Disturbances'