Proudly Serving Since 1791
The United States Park Police was created by President George Washington in 1791. The Force functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all Federal parks. U.S. Park Police officers are located in the Washington, DC, New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and investigate and detain persons suspected of committing offenses against the United States. Officers also carry out services for many notable events conducted in the national parks. On February 25, 2021, Pamela A. Smith was named the new Chief of the United States Park Police.
Work Environment About This Section
Police and detectives held about 795,000 jobs in 2020. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up police and detectives was distributed as follows:
Police and sheriffs patrol officers | 671,200 |
Federal government | 8 |
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Officers must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift. Officers regularly work at crime and accident scenes and encounter suffering and the results of violence. Although a career in law enforcement may be stressful, many officers find it rewarding to help members of their communities.
Some federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Secret Service, require extensive travel, often on short notice. These agents may relocate a number of times over the course of their careers. Other agencies, such as U.S. Border Patrol, may require work outdoors in rugged terrain and in all kinds of weather.
Becoming A Uscp Police Officer
The United States Capitol Police is seeking professional individuals for entry-level police officer positions that offer extensive professional development and training, career growth opportunities in the field of law enforcement, and the privilege of protecting the Legislative Branch of the United States federal government.
USCP Officers perform a full range of rewarding police duties and responsibilities that include:
- Policing the U.S. Capitol Complex to protect Members of Congress, visitors, and staff from crime and threats of disruption and terrorism preserving law and order serving as a deterrent to violations of laws, rules, and regulations
- Enforcing federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations
- Performing protective services, securing federally-owned buildings and property, and protecting government equipment and materials
- Conducting preliminary and follow up investigations of crimes and accidents, and processing crime scenes
- Preparing investigative reports and testifying in court.
Upon successful completion of training, probationary periods, time in grade, and all other professional requirements, future competitive promotions may be available to a higher rank or positions within a specialized area such as Dignitary Protection, Intelligence, Patrol and Mobile Response, K-9, Containment Emergency Response Team , and/or other positions within the Department.
Learn more about the Minimum Qualifications and Training for becoming a USCP officer.
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Washington Police Academy Requirements
Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Washington police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Washington police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:
Age Requirement
Washington police academy age requirements state that applicants must be a minimum 21 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20.5 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.
Residency and Citizenship Requirement
Applicants must be a resident of Washington and possess a valid Virginia drivers license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.
Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.
Educational Requirement
Washington Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree time of application. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.
*All military veterans must have an HONORABLE DISCHARGE documented by a DD-214.
Automatic Disqualification Factors
Physical Abilities Test
The PAT is comprised of four tests:
> ¾ 300-Meter Run
How To Become An Alexandria Police Officer
With a sworn strength of more than 315 officers, the Alexandria Police Department is a dedicated team of people who, in partnership with the community, work to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for our residents, merchants, and visitors. We are a diverse organization, reflecting Alexandrias various cultures and offering many different career and promotional opportunities.
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Medical And Psychological Evaluation
Your medical evaluation will be administered by a licensed doctor who will give you a thorough medical physical, a vision and hearing screening, and a drug test. Your psychological evaluation will ensure you have stable mental health and can withstand the stresses that come with the job of a DC police officer.
How To Become A Police Officer In Washington Dc
Washington, DC is the nations capital and has a population of over 670,000 people.1 While the DC metro has a higher crime rate than similarly-sized metros, its property and violent crime rates are lower than the national average.2 In fact, although DCs population has grown by 18% in recent years, its violent and property crime rates have been decreasing.1,2 The District of Columbia is patrolled by the police officers of the Metropolitan Police Department , which is one of the 10 largest municipal PDs in the US.3 There are over 3,000 sworn officers and approximately 600 civilians dedicated to this large police force.3 Men and women wishing to become a part of the Metropolitan Police Department will find information on the application, selection, and training process below.
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Defending Against These Charges In Court
A skilled assault on a police officer lawyer could cross-examine testifying police officers to determine the extent to which they let their status as a law enforcement officer be known to the defendant prior to the assault. If a defense attorney can create reasonable doubt that the individual knew that the target of the assault was a police officer, the charges can be reduced to those of simple assault, and the person may face less harsh Washington DC assault on a police officer penalties.
Police Officer Applicant Requirements
- High School graduate or G.E.D.
- Good physical and mental health
- Pass a vision and hearing test
- Pass a drug screening test
- Pass psychological and polygraph exams
Disqualifications
Applicants will be screened during a preliminary background investigation. Individual situations will be evaluated on a case by case basis however, a good driving record and clear criminal history are essential. Please consider the following when evaluating your own eligibility.
You may be disqualified for any of the following situations:
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Police Departments In Maryland
In 2014, nearly 14,000 police officers and sheriffs patrol officers worked in Maryland according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.6 These officers are sworn to protect and serve the citizens of the state. To become a police officer in Maryland, state standards must be met additional qualifications may be necessary, depending on the city or county agency to which you are applying.
Washington Dc Police Officer Training Prerequisites And Education Requirements
All prospective recruits must meet eligibility requirements to be considered for a spot in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Training Academy. Applicants must have completed one of the following: two years of active service in the United States military a minimum of 60 college credits or five years of full-time duty experience as a police officer in another state. Applicants must also hold a valid drivers license, be 21 or older, be a citizen of the United States, and be at a healthy weight . All applicants must also pass the screening process.
Successful applicants will be invited to complete 28 weeks of training at the Metropolitan Police Training Academy. Training consists of classroom work, physical agility training, firearms instruction, and first aid training. All recruits are on probationary status during training and for approximately 12 months following graduation from the training academy . It is important to note that the MPDC requires new recruits to agree to serve for at least two years following training.
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How To Become A Police Officer Or Detective
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agencys training academy before completing on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Metropolitan Police Department Of The District Of Columbia
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Dc Special Police Officer: Faqs
Q. 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. C. Code, §4-114 .
- 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. C. Code §23-582A.
- 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.
Q. What is the jurisdiction of a D.C. Special Police Officer?
Washington Dc Assault On A Police Officer Penalties
Every assault committed in Washington DC is a serious matter. However, when the target of the assault is a police officer, the potential Washington DC assault on a police officer penalties become much more severe. Courts and juries are unlikely to treat individuals convicted of this offense with much leniency. As a result, it is essential that people facing this charge be prepared to defend themselves from day one.
A determined assault on a police officer lawyer may be able to help. They could work to defend people in DCs criminal courts against both the core accusation of an assault and against the charge that this assault was committed against a police officer.
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Entry Level Officer Program
Become a part of a dedicated, community-oriented police department that serves and protects Washington, DC. Police officers will perform the vital public services of preserving the peace, protecting life and property, preventing crime, apprehending criminals, and enforcing the laws and ordinances of the District of Columbia and the United States. No previous law enforcement experience is required to be considered for employment for entry level positions. However, applicants must meet the minimum requirements. To learn more and to apply, please visit this website.
For more information about our cadet, civilian and volunteer positions, please visit JoinMPD.
Training And Examination Requirements For Security Officers
The security guard will need at least 24 hours of pre-assignment training. Pre-assignment training must include terrorism awareness, emergency procedures, and customer service. Terrorism awareness includes responding to unknown substances and unattended packages. Emergency procedures include first aid and evacuation.
The security guard must have an additional 16 hours of training during his or her first 90 days on the job Thereafter, the secure officer will need to do eight hours a year of in-service.
The candidate must pass the Security Officers Examination. Examination information is found on the District of Columbia Security page of the Pearson VUE website . Candidates may call PSI at 733-9267 to schedule Examinations are administered at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration office.
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Elements The Prosecution Must Prove
The prosecutor bears the burden of proving every element of a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt. For assault on a police officer charges, this means that the prosecutor must prove both that the assault happened and that the target of the assault was known by the defendant to be an on-duty member of law enforcement.
Proving an assault is usually straightforward. When a defendant makes forceful contact with another person or attempts to do so, this is assault. However, proving that the defendant intended to target a law enforcement officer is more difficult. Sometimes police officers interact with citizens in an undercover capacity. Other times they make plain clothes arrests.
To secure a conviction for assault on a police officer, a prosecuting attorney must provide evidence that the defendant knew that the target of the assault was an on-duty law enforcement officer.
Washington Dc Armed & Unarmed Special Police Training
Washington D.C. Armed Special Police Officer Training :
This training includes all certification fees for APS Baton, Handcuffing, Pepper Spray, DC SPO, Student Handbooks, Range Ammunition, Range Time, Handgun Rental, and any other class materials needed. Students will not be required to pay any additional fees for the basic 40 hour training.
Prerequisite: Have reached the age of twenty-one years, be a citizen of the United States, and be of good moral character, etc.
Requirements: Each student will need a Duty Belt, 38 Revolver or 9mm Semi-Auto Holster, Speed Loader or Magazine Holder, Pepper Spray Holder, Baton Holder, Handcuff Holder, and Belt keepers.
Description: Upon successful completion of training, students will be certified in ASP Baton, Handcuffing , Aerosol Weapons , and meet the requirements to become certified as a D.C. Armed Special Police Officer pursuant to Title 6A upon employment sponsorship.
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Washington D.C. Unrmed Special Police Officer Training :
This training includes all certification fees for APS Baton, Handcuffing, Pepper Spray, DC SPO, Student Handbooks, and any other class materials needed. Students will not be required to pay any additional fees for the basic 40 hour training.
Prerequisite: Have reached the age of twenty-one years, be a citizen of the United States, and be of good moral character, etc.
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Washington Navy Yard Shooting
On September 16, 2013 Aaron Alexis entered the Washington Navy Yard where he was working as a contractor at the time. Alexis would go on to carry out the deadliest workplace mass shooting in Washington D.C. history, killing 12. He used a shotgun he had legally purchased days before, and a handgun he had taken from a security guard after fatally shooting him during the attack. Alexis’ attack lasted 1 hour and 9 minutes before he was fatally shot by a member of the MPD Emergency Response Team .
Police Training Academies In Maryland
Maryland hosts 12 police academies throughout the state. This includes a combination of regional academies and department-run academies. Each are certified by the . Due to its proximity to Washington, DC, some Maryland academies work with federal agencies as needed.
All candidates are required to successfully complete the academy training as an entry-level employment requirement. The training lasts six months and includes both classroom and physical training. Recruits learn about state and federal laws, patrol tactics, defense tactics, aid as a first responder, emergency vehicle operations, and use of firearms.
Accredited Maryland police academies are located in the following areas:
- Anne Arundel County Police Academy Davidson, MD
- Baltimore County Training Academy Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore Police Department Education & Training Division Owings Mills, MD
- Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy Salisbury, MD
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Cheltenham, MD
- Harford County Sheriffs Academy Bel Air, MD
- Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy Rockville, MD
- Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Faulkner, MD
- Western Maryland Police Academy Hagerstown, MD
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