Pentagon Police

[tunlrat]

It's opinion time again folks. Today's subject--the Pentagon Police. If one ventures into usajobs.gov, it seems they've started recruiting entry level officers again (or will soon). Any opinions about this dept? I remember reading someone's statement on 911job forums.com (dated 10-28-03) that "...that place was truly the armpit of 0083 in the NRC(?)...Most of the guys I worked with are trying to go USPP or FPS." Anybody else w/ their .02? Chime in!

[JudgeDredd]

I can't speak to the USPP other than one of our dispatchers (when we had local dispatch center) came from there and spoke well of them. As far as the FPS goes, they are still undergoing a transformation with the move to DHS. For years, they had to answer to building managers and there was no requriement for the brass to have any LE experience. That's all changed. The current commissioner is a former Deputy with the USMS and he's begun a change from the top down. However, the FPS still varies greatly from region to region. In some areas, the FPS don't operate 24/7 and rely more heavily on the contract security while staffing more Inspectors (LESO's) than Officers. Check in your area for specifics.

[brianlar13]

I was interested in applying to the Pentagon police, but can't seem to find anything on it. The website says that they are only interested in other positions at this this time, do you by any chance know if the announcement is open?

[superc]

I was interested in applying to the Pentagon police, but can't seem to find anything on it. The website says that they are only interested in other positions at this this time, do you by any chance know if the announcement is open?

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency, formerly known as the Defense Protective Service/Police, and generically known as the Pentagon Police or even Pentagon Constabulary (a name that quickly died in 85 but was very accurate, at that time) is a full service police department. It has no connection to FPS and has not had any since 1986. Like any PD quality of individuals vary. Some assignments are better than others. The size of the organization fluctuates as mission assignments change. 90% of the work is in the Pentagon and related outbuildings, but that other 10%, if you are one of those people, could be anywhere. They have specialized units that do personnel protection of dignitaries and they have Special Agent criminal investigators. They have their own legislative authority package and members of that force can turn up in all sorts of strange places. There is enough happening at the Pentagon (which can easily have over 25,000 people in it on a weekday and has a Metro commuting hub (subway stop and Metro bus compound) in the jurisdiction) so they stay busy and handle as many different types of incidents every day as the surrounding county PD.

[k9girl]

The Pentagon Police dept is trying to up its numbers since the mission has changed since 9-11. The dept was once FPS and DPS as the pervious person mentioned. The dept has K-9, traffic, posts, ERT, contract compliance, recruiting, dispatch, anti-terrorism, CI, court section, etc. The officers go to FLETC and make decent money. The dept is relatively young and has major potential. They will soon have physical standards like UD and Park, which means the LEO status and the 20 yr ret. might be coming soon.
Its a good dept. People who have left the dept have tried to come back so it isn't as bad as some people thought. There will always be people who are unhappy in their job, no matter where they go. The dept offers tons of training and has a lot of really great officers.

[superc]

The Pentagon Police dept is trying to up its numbers since the mission has changed since 9-11. The dept was once FPS and DPS as the pervious person mentioned. The dept has K-9, traffic, posts, ERT, contract compliance, recruiting, dispatch, anti-terrorism, CI, court section, etc. The officers go to FLETC and make decent money. The dept is relatively young and has major potential. They will soon have physical standards like UD and Park, which means the LEO status and the 20 yr ret. might be coming soon.
Its a good dept. People who have left the dept have tried to come back so it isn't as bad as some people thought. There will always be people who are unhappy in their job, no matter where they go. The dept offers tons of training and has a lot of really great officers.

Actually, I know for a fact that the PFPA (DPS) 1811 Criminal Investigators SAs there are OPM certified under Title 5 USC as FLEOs based on an inspection audit confirming that their primary mission duties are the investigation of AND the arresting of felons (both were then required for Title 5 USC FLEO status as primary (not occasional) duties), and those PFPA personnel have therefore had 20 year retirement for almost a decade. All who were there on the day the letter came already had many years. There is a body guard staff which, when I last spoke with one of them, was also working on obtaining the certified FLEO status. Some members of some units in PFPA will probably need special legislation for FLEO status as their duties are either sedentary (i.e., waiting), or involve primarily misdemeanor prisoners. The Chief of PFPA, last I heard was for the special legislation for all officers, and so too were some members of the apparatus above him.

PS anyone named tunlrat will love the Pentagon. There are rumours of there being tunnels there.

[k9girl]

Actually, I know for a fact that the PFPA (DPS) 1811 Criminal Investigators SAs there are OPM certified under Title 5 USC as FLEOs based on an inspection audit confirming that their primary mission duties are the investigation of AND the arresting of felons (both were then required for Title 5 USC FLEO status as primary (not occasional) duties), and those PFPA personnel have therefore had 20 year retirement for almost a decade. All who were there on the day the letter came already had many years. There is a body guard staff which, when I last spoke with one of them, was also working on obtaining the certified FLEO status. Some members of some units in PFPA will probably need special legislation for FLEO status as their duties are either sedentary (i.e., waiting), or involve primarily misdemeanor prisoners. The Chief of PFPA, last I heard was for the special legislation for all officers, and so too were some members of the apparatus above him.

PS anyone named tunlrat will love the Pentagon. There are rumours of there being tunnels there.

DUH! Of corse 1811s are covered by the LEO status, all 1811s are- that is a whole different situation, they aren't Pentagon Police, they are Pentagon force Protection Agency

[k9girl]

yes there are a few - mainly for heating and cooling

[FEDCOP1]

Think again K9girl. We are the Pentagon Police. Pentagon Force Protection Agency is who we fall under. Get your facts straight. Here is the website for all those interested www.pfpa.mil

DUH! Of corse 1811s are covered by the LEO status, all 1811s are- that is a whole different situation, they aren't Pentagon Police, they are Pentagon force Protection Agency

[tunlrat]

Hey Fedcop1, when will your dept. hire from the general public again? Your last announcement was only for those who graduated from FLETC's Mixed Basic Police Program. Also, how hard is it to get into a special unit--particularly Dignitary protection?

[tunlrat]

I take back my first question, I hadn't seen the usajobs announcement yet. But my 2nd question still stands?

[FEDCOP1]

As far as protective services unit, one word....POLITICS. Its not what you know its if they like you. We had one guy go there and there was never an inter-departmental opening. He just completed field training and then went in. You are probably going to have to put your time in on post and what not. But what do I know the department does what they want.

I take back my first question, I hadn't seen the usajobs announcement yet. But my 2nd question still stands?

[tunlrat]

Fedcop,
Thanks for the useful replies so far. How much time would one realistically spend on a static post before one can apply for any special unit? What's your daily routine like?

[tunlrat]

Not to imply that everyone else's replies weren't useful as well! Thanks to all...

[FEDCOP1]

It all depends. Checking badges, relief units, some patrol are the norm. Most departments you have to wait a while but apparently not here. It all depends on if they like your not. Yes you have a selection process but that is just a smoke screen in my opinion.

Fedcop,
Thanks for the useful replies so far. How much time would one realistically spend on a static post before one can apply for any special unit? What's your daily routine like?