To work as an armed Special Police Officer (SPO) in the District of Columbia, you must first obtain a D.C. SPO Commission. You must apply for a commission through the company you will be working for. Once your commission is approved and ready to be picked up you can attend our D.C. SPO armed class to obtain the necessary firearms training. First time applicants who have been approved by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their armed SPO must complete 40 hours of firearms training. For those SPO's that are renewing a current armed commission an 8 hour class plus range is required. Since D.C. SPO training is only valid for 30 days training should not be done until your commission is ready for pickup, or in the case of D.C. SPO renewals, class should be completed no more than 30 days prior to your expiration date.

Currently there are no training requirements for unarmed security officers or unarmed SPOs in the District of Columbia.

Class Fees: Armed Entry Level $230 (.38 Caliber only)
Armed Renewal $85 (.38 Caliber only)
Fees are payable by cash or money order only.