Private Investigation in Washington, District of Columbia

Security licensing requirements in District of Columbia

Private security in District of Columbia is licensed at the state level by the the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (business and individual licenses) and the Metropolitan Police Department's Security Officers Management Branch (oversight and Special Police Officer signoff). A legitimate company operating in Washington holds a a Security Agency Business license, which means it has cleared DC DLCP and MPD's ownership, background-check and insurance requirements. Ask for that license number in writing and verify it yourself — a certificate on the wall tells you nothing about current standing, since a license can be suspended or revoked.

Guard credential

a Security Officer certification (or a Special Police Officer commission, which carries arrest powers on the protected premises)

24 hours of pre-assignment training, 16 hours of on-the-job training within 90 days, and 8 hours of annual in-service

Armed officers

a Special Police Officer commission with firearm authority (approved by MPD)

a Special Police Officer commission — 40 hours of pre-assignment training, with an additional 40-hour firearms certification for armed SPOs (about 80 hours combined) and 8 hours of annual in-service · Minimum age 21

Insurance

general liability of at least $250,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate for agencies with five or more officers

Renewal

Licenses renew annually for the Special Police Officer commission — check the issue date, not just the status.

Violent crime

748

per 100,000 residents

Property crime

3,082

per 100,000 residents

Homicide

16.6

per 100,000 residents

Crime rates describe a city, not a specific address — the right level of coverage depends on your block, your hours and what you're protecting. Use the neighborhood breakdown to see how Washington varies internally before you scope a contract.