Metropolitan Police Department
Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB)
Effective January 2, 2014, the processing of all license applications, including license renewals, for private detectives, private investigators, special police officers, and security officers will be handled by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), although final signoff of each application will still be done by the Metropolitan Police Department, Security Officers Management Branch (SOMB).
License applications and renewals will continue to be done at the SOMB office, located at 2000 14th Street, NW, Room 302. DCRA staff will be on-site to process applications. Payment of license fees must be paid at the SOMB office and must be in the form of a cashiers check, money order, or certified check; no cash or personal checks are accepted. The license fees are listed below.
All new license applications and license renewals must complete a streamlined application, provide fingerprints for a criminal background check, and submit two color photos measuring 1 x 1½ in size for each application submitted.
Applicants must also provide the following documents:
Criminal History Affidavit
Applicants must submit the appropriate affidavit form indicating the applicants past employment, residence(s), and arrest history. Applicants with an arrest history must provide a copy of the final court disposition for any charge. The affidavit must be notarized by a notary public of the applicants choice. These documents cannot be dated more than 30 days prior to the date of the application process.
Drug Screening (New Applicants and Special Police Officer Renewals)
A drug screening from a certified laboratory must also accompany the application(s). The applicant must be tested and screened at the levels for drugs that are outlined on the Metropolitan Police Departments Drug Screening Standards Form. Applicants who test POSITIVE for any drugs must submit medical documentation from the prescribing physician supporting the positive reading. The statement must be on letterhead from the attending physicians office and have the original signature of the doctor. Physical exams must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the date of the application process.
Physical (New Applicants only)
Applicants are required to submit medical documentation certifying that he or she is physically and mentally capable of performing security related functions. Applicants may respond to the physician of their choice for examination. The original signature of the doctor and the date must appear on the physical. Applicants being treated by a private physician for an existing medical condition must also submit a doctors statement from that physician, which states that the condition will not prohibit the applicant from performing security related functions. Drug screening results must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the date of the application process.
Birth Certificate or Naturalization Documentation (New Applicants)
Applicants must submit a photocopy of their birth certificate from the Vital Statistics Office from their state, not the hospital birth certificate. Original birth certificates submitted will not be returned. A photocopy of any legal documentation supporting a name change, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or adoption papers must be submitted with the application. If the applicant is not a citizen of the United States, proof of their immigration status must be submitted for certification as a Security Officer. The original document should be shown, but a copy needs to be submitted for the file (example: Resident Alien Card (Green Card), Employment Authorization, or I-94 Departure Record).\
DD-214 (Special Police Officer New Applicant)
An applicant who submits an application for a commission as a Special Police Officer must submit a photocopy of their DD-214 indicating the type of separation from that branch of the military.
Marriage License or Name Change Documentation
Range Certification & Gun List (Special Police Officer only)
Once an applicant has completed and submitted all documents, the same authorized person that signed the application must review the complete package for accuracy and affix his/her signature somewhere on each document. No paperwork will be accepted unless the required signature is on each document.
Upon completion of the above requirements, a background investigation will be conducted on the applicant to include local and FBI criminal checks. Background investigations require 10 to 14 days to complete. Additionally, security officer applicants will be required to take a test based on the applicable D.C. Municipal Regulations in Title 17, Chapters 20 and 21.
The tables below list the application fees charged by DCRA. Please note that the fees reflect the license having a two-year term, rather than the previous one-year term.
Regulations All Special Police Officers, Security Officers and Private Detective Agency Owners are required to have knowledge of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 6A, Chapter 11 and 21.
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