Special Police Officer

The selected candidate duties and assignments involve the application of law enforcement principles and techniques including the following:

• Patrols and maintains law and order by observing, reporting, and responding to illegal and unauthorized activity occurring on DCPL owned and controlled premises.
• Observes conditions and activity, taking appropriate action, where there appears to be potential for or are actual violations of the laws or guidelines.
• Responds to calls from citizens, library patrons, and employees in cases of criminal activity and violations of the DCPL behavioral guidelines.
• Investigates circumstances of the call, determines if arrest or other action is warranted.
• Completes appropriate reports and exercise full count presentment authority as arresting officer.
• Participates actively in prosecutions.
• Participates in short-term investigations under the guidance of a higher ranking official of OPS.
• Investigates thefts and other crimes from persons on library premises.
• Routinely patrols and inspects the building and grounds to prevent crimes and violations of DCPL behavioral guidelines.
• Monitors/operates two-way radio system and phone system and acts as communication dispatcher as needed or assigned.
• Assists MPD, Federal law agencies, the other enforcement agencies as needed.
• Checks, inspects, and secures the exterior of the building, entrances, and windows.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The incumbent must possess a minimum a High School Diploma or GED plus a minimum of 2 years of experience working as a law enforcement officer in a federal, state, municipal, local, military, or private organization with responsibility for maintaining order and protecting life and property or at least 1 Year of Specialized experience at the next lower grade level. Must have the ability to successfully complete and pass the Metropolitan Police Department DC Code class or qualified equivalent.

The incumbent is required to be in good physical condition and be mentally stable to perform the work.

At the time of appointment, the incumbent must have and maintain Special Police Officer (SPO) commission through the District of Columbia license issuance process and meet all the prescribed requirements and qualifications associated with SPO status. Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle license issued by State of residence.

A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 950) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points.

If selected the person shall be required to present, no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.

The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening;
If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government's retirement plan. However, if selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.

The work requires constant mental attention as well as physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, up and down stairways, and lifting heavy items as needed or required. It also requires agility and dexterity with strength to pursue, apprehend, and detain/arrest uncooperative suspects or to defend oneself or others against physical attack.