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Frequent Asked Questions about Washington D.C. Special Police Officers & Training
What is a D.C. Special Police Officer?
· The term Special Police Officer, is any person who is commissioned which have been approved pursuant to this act, and who may be authorized to carry a weapon. They are privately commissioned police officers with full arrest powers within an area or premises which the officer has been employed to protect. The commission is conditional and is required to be renewed each year. D.C. Code, §4-114 (1981).
What is the authority of a D.C. Special Police officer?
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Special police officer shall have the same powers as a law enforcement officer to Arrest without a warrant for offenses committed within the premises to which his or her jurisdiction extends or outside the premises on a fresh pursuit for offenses committed on the premises. D.C. Code §23-582A.
What is the jurisdiction of a D.C. Special Police Officer?
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Special police officers appointed pursuant to § 1100.1 shall be strictly confined in their authority to the particular place or property which they are commissioned to protect
· To protect the property of one person or corporation located in various sections of the District of Columbia and in more than one police district, and to protect money, securities, or other property being transported between the locations of the property of that person or corporation, or between those locations and certain banks or other depositories. All locations of property, banks, or other places pursuant to § 1101.2 shall be specified upon the face of the commission issued to those special police officers.
Special police officers may be appointed under the provisions of D.C. Official Code §4-114 (1981), to protect the property of a number of persons or corporations in one general area.
Who can be appointed as a D.C. Special Police Officer?
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No person shall be appointed as a special police officer under the Act of March 3, 1899 (D.C. Official Code §4-114) (1981) or R.S.D.C. No. 378 and 379, June 11, 1878 (D.C. Official Code § 4-130) (1981) unless he or she meets the following requirements:
(a) Have reached the age of twenty-one (21) years;
(b) Be a citizen of the United States;
(c) Be of good moral character;
(d) shall be approved for appointment by the Chief of Police, shall possess a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, or one year of experience as a special police officer in the District of Columbia, shall be able to read, write, and speak the English language, and shall be certified by a licensed physician as physically and psychologically fit to perform the duties of a special police officer.
(e) An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a special police officer.
What Training is required for Unarmed and Armed D.C. Special Police Officer commission?
· Individuals who wish to become an Unarmed or Armed Special Police Officer shall complete a 40 hour pre-assignment training pursuant to D.C. Official Code §6A 1107.2. And shall also satisfy all additional initial training standers for firearms and other equipment, as applicable. D.C. Official Code §6A 1107.4.
Do I have to be employed to become a Commissioned D.C. Special Police Officer?
· Yes, you must be employed by a licensed D.C. security or proprietary company. Applications for appointment under the provisions of D.C. Official Code §4-114 (1981), shall be made jointly in the names of the prospective special police officers and the names of the persons or corporations in connection with whose property of business the appointment is sought.
· Applicants must bring a completed application with the original signature of an authorized company representative (meaning you must be hired by a security company) to the Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB) for initial screening.
· Special police officers may be appointed under the provisions of D.C. Official Code §4-114 (1981), to protect the property of one person or corporation at one location, which shall be specified on the face of the commission issued to those special police officers.
· The application shall contain an agreement by the employer applicants to notify the Chief of Police of any termination or change of the employment status of the prospective special police officer.
· Therefore you cannot just pay for a special police officer commission you must be an employee of a company for sponsorship.
)Frequently Asked Questions - How to Contact Licensing Agencies
District of Columbia
D.C. Metropolitan Police, Security Officers Mgmt. Branch
2000 – 14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009
Phone: 202-671-0500
Virginia
Commonwealth of Virginia, Criminal Justice Services
1100 Bank Street – 12th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-4700
email: PSS@dcjs.virginia.gov
Maryland
Maryland State Police, Licensing Division
1111 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
Phone: 410-653-4500 Fax: 410-653-5441
email: msp.Licensing@maryland.gov
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SPO Training Regulations (pdf) Download
SPO Exam Study Guide (pdf) Download
Armed SPO .38 Revolver Course of Fire (pdf) Download
Armed SPO 9mm Semi-Automatic Course of Fire (pdf) Download
DCRA/OPLA Authorization to Release Information Form (pdf) Download
DCRA/OPLA Arrest Affidavit (pdf) Download
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Washington D.C. Armed Special Police Officer Training
Virginia Metropolitan Training Academy is an acclaimed public and private law enforcement training academy with a reputation for both effective training solutions and the use of innovative technology in the protection of life and property. We have a portfolio of completed and on-going projects with particular emphasis on people returning to the workforce and earning a living wage.
Throughout training our cadets are exposed to practical exercises that will enhance customer service, decision making, and physical skills needed to survive day-to-day interactions with the public and violent encounters. Cadets will deploy various tools they commonly carry to react with various escalation and de-escalation of force. Students will make split second decisions and articulate their reactions. Training will occur in a variety of environments, including low light, cold and warm weather environments. Cadets develop new skills throughout practical exercises using force-on-force scenarios to better themselves and the communities they serve.
Agencies looking to enhance their staffs training, VMT Academy will partner with you in every stage of your project and act as both consultants and colleagues to work in a manner commensurate with both of agencies skills bringing greatly enhanced value to the project.