Join the "Nation's Finest" United States Capitol Police

History

Created by Congress in 1828, the purpose of the United States Capitol Police was to provide security for the United States Capitol Building. Today, our mission has expanded to provide the Congressional community and visitors with the highest possible quality of a full range of police services. These services are provided through the use of a variety of specialty support units, and a network of foot and vehicular patrols, and fixed posts.

Today's United States Capitol Police Officer has the primary responsibility for protecting life and property, preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal acts, and enforcing traffic regulations throughout a large complex of congressional buildings, parks, and thoroughfares. Additionally, the protection of Members of Congress, Officers of Congress, and their families is expanded by statute to the entire United States, its territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia.

Selection Process

The United States Capitol Police is always interested in qualified applicants. An intensive selection process involving a written examination, interviews (screening and oral board interviews), polygraph examination, background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical examination helps ensure the selection of the highest quality recruit officers for our Department.

Training

Providing our officers with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of their daily assignments is a primary concern of our training staff. Training begins at full pay with one (1) week of orientation at our training facility in Washington, D.C., followed by ten (10) weeks of intensive training in such areas as police procedures, psychology, criminal law, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and physical defense techniques at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. After graduation from FLETC, recruits return to our Police Training Academy for ten (10) weeks of additional training. After graduation, officers are assigned to a field training officer, and then continue to develop their skills through on-the-job experience, and continual in-service training. Public relations, firearm proficiency, and physical fitness are among the many areas stressed throughout an officer's career.

Career Opportunities

A wide assortment of interesting and rewarding career opportunities are available to you as a United States Capitol Police Officer. Assignments in the areas of Protective Services, Criminal or Special Investigations, Containment and Emergency Response Team, K-9, Communications, Motorized and Mountain Bicycle Patrol, Hazardous Devices and Electronic Countermeasures, and other units exist for those who desire to enhance their career. Selection and assignment to these units is accomplished on a competitive basis, and is available to officers after one (1) to two (2) years of field experience. Additionally, after three (3) years with the Department, you may compete in promotional processes for the rank of Sergeant.

Salary

starting salary-$32,337.00 (1999) *
after training-$34,715.00 (1999) *
Private, First Class (after 30 months)-$38,925.00 (1999) *

* Please note: generally, the rates of pay are adjusted annually.

Benefits

Annual Leave-accrued 13 days per year for the first 3 years, 20 days after 3 years, 26 days after 15 years

Sick Leave - accrued 13 days per year, and may accumulate without limit

Paid Holidays - 10 paid holidays annually

Additional Duty - additional duty, including court time, is compensated

Uniforms and Equipment - all uniforms and equipment are furnished at no cost to the officer

Life Insurance - group life insurance at low cost to the officer

Health Insurance-choice of a wide variety of group health plans for officers, and dependents, under the Federal Employees

Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Retirement-participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), eligible for retirement with 20 years of service at age 50, or 25 years service at any age Thrift Savings Plan-all officers are able to contribute to the tax deferred Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with the federal government matching a portion of contributions

Fitness and Wellness Center-free use of our Fitness and Wellness Center which offers health training and counseling, individualized fitness programs, and a full range of exercise equipment

Minimum Requirements

Age-must be 21 years of age at time of appointment, but not have reached your 37th birthday at the date of appointment (the maximum age may be waived with prior qualifying law enforcement experience)

Education-must be a high school graduate, or possess a GED certificate

Citizenship-must be a United States citizen Driver's License-must possess a valid driver's license

Health-must be in excellent physical health

Character-must be a mature, responsible individual with a high degree of tact, motivated for police work, able to work with minimum supervision, and interested in assisting all Members, employees, and visitors of the Congressional community

Miscellaneous-you must not be involved in any pending criminal litigation

For more information, contact:

United States Capitol Police
119 D St., N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20510-7218
Recruiting & Investigations Section

(202)224-9819, employment information
(202)228-0437, facsimile
recruiting@cap-police.senate.gov, E-mail

Please be sure to include your full name (last, first, middle), address, and home and business telephone numbers

AS OF: 02-08-1999

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UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
119 D Street, NE
Washington, DC 20510

Police Officer Selection Process Information and Examination Registration Form

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Capitol Police. This information sheet provides you with information regarding 1) minimum requirements you must possess to be considered for the position of Police Officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, and 2) all information necessary for you to sign up to take the entry-level police officer examination.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must be a United States citizen.

You must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, but not have reached your thirty-seventh (37) birthday at the date of appointment (the maximum age may be waived with prior qualifying federal law enforcement employment).

You must possess a valid driver's permit.

Vision must be no greater than 20/100 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Your weight must be proportionate to your height, and/or must meet body fat standards as established by the United States Capitol Police physical evaluation standards.

You must possess a high school diploma, or and equivalency certificate (GED) issued by an authorized agency.

You must have no record of felony convictions.

You must not be currently involved in any pending criminal charges.

If you possess prior military service, you must have been separated under honorable conditions (honorable discharge).

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process consists of the following stages of processing, of which you must be successful at each stage in order to proceed to the next:

Written Examination
Extensive Background Investigation
Polygraph Examination
Physical Examination
Psychological Evaluation
Oral Assessment

SALARY

The starting salary is $32,337. After eighteen (18) weeks of training, the salary is increased to $34,715; after thirty (30) months, $38,925.

ENTRY-LEVEL EXAMINATION

The entry-level police officer examination assesses reading comprehension, arithmetic, writing, grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills. The examination is administered on selected Mondays at Headquarters, U.S. Capitol Police, 119 D Street, N.E., Washington DC, 20510. The examination takes approximately 2 « hours. Generic study guides for use in preparing for entry-level police examinations are available on the commercial market. Preparation for the examination is encouraged.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to take the written examination for the position of police officer you must:

(1) meet the Minimum Requirements for the position;
(2) not be currently under consideration for the position; and,
(3) not have taken the examination within the past 12 months.

EXAMINATION REGISTRATION

To sign up to take the entry-level examination for the position of Police Officer, complete the attached registration form. Fill out the form completely and legibly and return to the address indicated at the bottom of the form. You may only sign up for one examination date.

Please make a note of the time and date for which you register. You will not receive notice of confirmation. Seating is limited so we ask than you please call (202)224-9820 to cancel if you find you cannot attend the session for which you registered. Please allow sufficient travel time as late arrivals will not be seated for the examination. You must present a valid photo ID to be admitted to the examination room.

United States Capitol Police Examination Registration Form

Complete this form and return to the address listed below. Please circle examination DATE and TIME. This registration form MUST be received no later than one week prior to the date indicated.

Candidate Information	Test Dates     Test Times
Social Security Number________________________	03/08/99         8:00 a.m. 03/22/99       12:00 p.m. 04/05/99 04/19/99 05/03/99 05/17/99 06/07/99 06/21/99 07/12/99 07/27/99 08/09/99 08/23/99
Last Name_____________________________________
First Name____________________________________
Middle Name___________________________________
Street Address________________________________
City__________________________________________
State__________________________ Zip __________
Home Phone_____________________________
Work Phone ____________________________
Date of Birth__________________________ (MM/DD/YY)

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE U.S. CAPITOL POLICE?

Please check the source from which you obtained information and indicate the name of the source in the space provided:

___Job Fair at __________________________________________________
___Referred by USCP Employee ___________________________________
___Career Development Day at
___College Placement Office at
___Internet/World Wide Web (address)
___POLICE Magazine ______________________________________________
___Other ________________________________________________________

Mail to: U.S. Capitol Police/Attn: Test Registration
Office of Human Resources Management
119 D Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20510
OR
Fax: (202) 228-0437