D.C. SPO Training

Any individual who wishes to become a D.C. Special Police Officer must go through the training requirements established by D.C. law. Special Police Officers are required to complete 96 hours of training before he/she can be licensed as an armed SPO.

You must complete a minimum of 40 hours of firearms training

You must complete an additional 56 hours of training covering:

• Arrest powers
• DC Criminal Codes
• Search and seizure
• Use of Force/Positional asphyxia
• De-escalation Techniques
• Terrorism Awareness
• Bomb Threats
• Report Writing
• Community Policing
• Customer service
• First Aid/ CPR
• ASP baton
• Handcuffing
• OC/Foam Spray Training

Annual In-service Training: 

In-service training will ensure SPOs are regularly informed and updated as to changes in laws and procedures. 

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years old
• Citizen of the United States
• Good moral character

You are ineligible to be commissioned as a DCSPO for ten (10) years from the date of conviction if you have been convicted of a felony crime, five (5) years from the date of conviction if you have a misdemeanor conviction, and permanently ineligible if you have ever been convicted of a crime of violence. For more information about what is considered a "crime of violence", please contact DCSOMB at 1-202-671-0500.

In addition, you are ineligible if you are not a United States citizen, if you are not at least  twenty-one (21) years of age or older, if you fail a drug test, if you fail a physical exam, and if you have a mental disorder reported by a physician. More information about eligibility can be found at:   https://dcra.dc.gov/security

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