SPECIAL POLICE QUALIFICATIONS

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We appreciate your interest in employment with the Metro Special Police Department (MSPD). Our agency employs many talented and diverse full-time and part-time employees who protect and serve their community. 

To be considered for employment as a special police officer (SPO) with our agency, candidates must first meet the following minimum qualifications set forth by the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 6A, Chapter 11, as well as minimum MSPD hiring standards.

The current standards are:

◾ Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;  

◾ Have graduated from an accredited high school or institution with a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalency;  

◾ Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;

◾ An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO;

◾ An applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO if that applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense in any jurisdiction that would be a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), if committed in the District of Columbia;

◾ If an applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense, other than a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), in any jurisdiction that would be a felony if committed in the District of Columbia, the applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO for 10 years following the applicant's release from incarceration and the conclusion of any court-ordered parole, probation, or supervision relating to that offense; 

◾ If an applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense, other than a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), or traffic offense, in any jurisdiction that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the District of Columbia, the applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO for 5 years following the applicant's release from incarceration and the conclusion of any court-ordered parole, probation, or supervision relating to that offense; 

◾ Be free from any physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect an individual to perform the duties of a SPO;  

◾ Completion of a 10-panel drug screen by a licensed medical provider with negative drug results;

◾ Completion of a medical physical exam by a licensed medical provider and rendered "fit for duty";

◾ Be a citizen of the United States (there is no exception for this);  

◾ Be of good moral character, as determined by a criminal background investigation; 

◾ Be able to successfully complete the special police officer training requirements;

◾ Have reliable means of transportation to and from work;
◾ Hiring preference is given to applicants with college credits, prior military service, or prior law enforcement experience, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of MSPD.

Under existing special police regulations, the District of Columbia does not have a residency requirement to live in the District, nor does it require a polygraph exam or credit report as a condition of becoming a Special Police Officer (SPO).

Once an offer of employment has been sent by Human Resources (HR) to the applicant, they have five (5) business days to accept or decline the offer. MSPD utilizes email notifications as the primary means of contacting an applicant. Therefore, applicants should constantly check their inbox/junk/spam folders for communications.

If the offer is declined, the applicant is no longer considered for hiring. If the applicant accepts the employment offer, a hire date will be set for the applicant to attend new hire orientation at our headquarters. During the eight (8) hour orientation, the new hire will:  

◾ Meet with HR and attend a classroom seminar to learn about the history and mission of MSPD;

◾ Complete all new hire documents such as a Federal Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification), Federal Form W-4 (Employee's Tax Withholding Certificate), State tax documents, 

direct deposit form, emergency contact form, and any additional policy documents;

◾ Issued a policy and procedure handbook;

◾ Issued log in credentials for agency email, payroll, scheduling, ect.; 

◾ Issued uniforms and duty equipment;

◾ Employee photo taken;

◾ Tour of the headquarters;

◾ Meet with the Command Staff and the Commissioner;

◾ Assigned a Field Training Officer (FTO); and

◾ Enroll in the MSPD Training Academy. 

All new hires are placed on a 180-day probationary period to evaluate the employee's performance and adherence to policies and procedures. During the employee's probation period, they will attend the MSPD Training Academy (MSPDTA). The academy is approximately six (6) weeks long and upon successful completion the officer will be certified in accordance with District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 6A, Chapter 11, Section 1100.7.

After successful completion of the MSPDTA, the officer is then paired with a FTO for on-the-job training (OJT). The officer must successfully complete 160 hours of OJT with the FTO. If the new hire does not complete the necessary training requirements or displays poor job performance, then they are subject to having their probation extended or their conditional offer of employment revoked. 

As of June 1, 2024, the hiring wage scale for a MSPD Special Police Officer (SPO) ranges from $49,000.00 - $55,749.00 per year depending on an applicant's education, foreign language skills, and prior work history in the military, law enforcement, corrections, or private security. Our wage scale is comparable to surrounding agencies and their entry level positions as a police officer as shown below.

Prince George's County Police, MD: $57,899.00 per year.

Capitol Heights Police Department, MD: $49,314.00 per year.

City of Glenarden Police Department, MD: $49,211.00 per year.

City of Forest Heights Police Department, MD: $45,296.00 per year.

Metropolitan Police Department, DC: $60,199.00 per year.

Fairfax County Police Department, VA: $53,969.00 per year.

Arlington County Police Department, VA: $57,179.20 per year.

Prince William County Police Department, VA: $52,749.00 per year.

MSPD offers the following comprehensive employee benefits:

◾ Medical Insurance;

◾ Dental Insurance;

◾ Vision Insurance;

◾ Prescription Insurance;

◾ Line of Duty Death Life Insurance; 

◾ Agency Provided Uniforms; 

◾ Paid Sick Leave;

◾ Paid Vacation Time;

◾ Military Leave;

◾ Bereavement Leave;

◾ Maternity Leave;

◾ Long-Term Family Medical Leave;

◾ 401K Retirement Plan;

◾ Legal Services;

◾ Direct Deposit;

◾ Overtime Opportunities; 

◾ Holiday Pay (time and a half);

◾ Free In-House Training;

◾ Outside Agency Sponsored Training;

◾ Take-Home Agency Vehicle Program; 

◾ Take-Home Agency Firearm Program;

◾ Promotional Opportunities; 

◾ Comradery and Unit Cohesion; and

◾ Purpose and Fulfillment.