Applicants must possess a minimum of 52 weeks of post-training law
enforcement experience at the time of application.
Initial Assessment Phase
Following pre-employment screening, candidates may be invited to participate
in the Initial Assessment Phase of the USCP hiring process. All components of
this phase will be conducted virtually at the location of the applicant's
choosing.
This phase includes an Orientation Session, which provides an overview of the United States Capitol Police
(USCP) and details about the hiring process.
Examination
Phase
The Examination Phase includes psychological, medical, and polygraph examinations. This phase marks the
candidate’s first required visit to USCP headquarters in Washington, D.C. Every
effort will be made to schedule these examinations consecutively to minimize
the need for additional travel.
Psychological Examination
Candidates will complete a battery of psychological assessments followed by a
clinical interview. This examination lasts approximately four to six hours.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to be well-rested and to eat beforehand.
The assessment will be conducted online and requires a desktop or laptop
computer, camera, and microphone.
Medical Examination
The medical examination determines whether a candidate is medically qualified
to perform the essential functions of the position. Candidates must fast
(abstain from food) prior to this examination.
Polygraph Examination
This examination is used to verify the information provided throughout the
selection process.
Background Investigation
The final phase of the selection process requires candidates to undergo a
comprehensive background investigation, which includes a thorough review and
verification of the candidate’s employment history, employers, residential and
personal references, criminal and credit history, and academic records.
Must be a United States citizen.
Must meet position age requirements.
Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
Must show evidence of responsible driving in the last one year.
Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service.
Travel for hiring assessments and training is at applicant's expense.
Must successfully complete a full field background investigation.
Polygraph, medical assessment, criminal, credit, and tax check required.
Must successfully complete all required training.
Must successfully complete a probationary period.
Must have completed any of the following: Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center (FLETC) Uniform Police Training Program (UPTP), Mixed Basic Police
Training Program (MBPTP); Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation
(FLETA) accredited military police training program; or U.S. Customs and Border
Protection's (CBP’s) training programs: United States Border Patrol Integrated
Training Program (USBPI) or the Field Operations Academy (CBPOPT).
Must complete use of force training, authority and jurisdiction training, and
weapons qualification prior to carrying a weapon.
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for
this position:
U.S. Citizenship: Only United States citizens will be considered. Qualified
applicants must provide proof of citizenship early in the selection process.
Naturalized citizens must be able to participate in and complete a comprehensive
and verifiable background investigation covering their personal and
professional history.
Age Requirements: Applicants must not have reached 58 years of age at the
time of appointment, although waivers may apply.
Education: A high school diploma or GED certificate is required. Must have completed any of the following: FLETC UPTP, MBPTP, FLETA accredited military police training program, or CBP training Programs (USBPI or CBPOPT).
Valid Driver’s License: Applicants must possess a REAL ID-compliant U.S.
driver’s license that has not been revoked or suspended in the past year.
Criminal History Check:
All qualified applicants must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal
history check covering the past 10 years.
Because USCP Police Officers are required to carry a firearm and
ammunition, applicants convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
are ineligible for the position.
Credit Check: Applicants must successfully pass a credit check and must
not be in default or delinquent on any federally guaranteed student loans.
Selective Service Registration: Male applicants must provide verification
of registration with the Selective Service System or demonstrate exemption due
to age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service
registration. Verify here.
Fingerprint Check: Applicants’ fingerprints will be submitted to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a criminal history check.
Background Investigation: Candidates must successfully complete all
components of the USCP full field background investigation.
There are few automatic disqualifiers in the USCP background
investigation process. Issues such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions
may not result in automatic rejection. However, deliberate misstatements,
omissions, or withholding of required information at any stage of the hiring
process will lead to disqualification, regardless of the reason or nature of
the misstatement. The most common reason candidates fail the background
investigation is due to intentionally withholding or omitting material facts.
Providing false or misleading information may result in removal from the
application and selection process.