Following the pre-employment screening, candidates may be invited to
participate in the Initial Assessment Phase of the USCP hiring process, all
facets of which will be conducted virtually at a location of their choice. The
Initial Assessment Phase consists of two components:
Orientation Session - An overview of the USCP mission, hiring process,
training, and employment opportunities.
Written Exam - The Police Officer Selection Test (POST) will test the
candidate's knowledge of basic math, reading, and grammar. A passing score of
at least 70% must be obtained in each section.
The Orientation and POST will require candidates to use a video conferencing
system.
Note: All online portions of the hiring process require the use of a desktop or
laptop computer. The use of cell phones and tablets will NOT be allowed for
video conferencing. It is highly recommended that all candidates become
familiar with the use of their computer's webcam and microphone.
Applicants who successfully complete the Initial Assessment Phase will be
issued a Conditional Offer of Employment and will enter the Examination Phase
of the hiring process.
Examination Phase
The Examination Phase consists of psychological, medical, and polygraph
examinations. This will be a candidate’s first required visit to
our office in Washington, D.C. during the hiring process. Efforts will be made
to schedule these examinations consecutively to eliminate return visits to
complete the examinations.
?Psychological – Candidates complete a battery of psychological assessments and
a clinical interview. The psychological examination will last
approximately four to six hours. Candidates are encouraged to be
well-rested and eat prior to the examination.
The psychological exam will occur online and require the use of a desktop or
laptop computer, camera, and microphone.
?Medical - The medical examination will determine if a candidate is medically
qualified to perform the functional requirements of the job. Candidates
will be required to fast (abstain from food) prior to the medical examination.
?Polygraph – The polygraph examination is used to confirm information obtained
through the selection process.
Physical Readiness Test (PRT) - The PRT consists of three events: a timed
300-meter run, a push-up test, and a 1.5-mile run.
Background Investigation
The final phase of the selection process requires candidates to undergo a full
background investigation that will include a thorough review and verification
of the candidate's employment history, employer, residential, and personal
references, in depth criminal and credit history, and academic records.
Must be a United States citizen.
Must meet position age requirements.
Must possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license.
Must show evidence of responsible driving in the past one (1) 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.
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for
this position:
U.S. Citizenship -- Only United States Citizens will receive consideration.
Qualified applicants will be required to provide proof of citizenship early in
the selection process. Naturalized citizens must be able to participate and
complete a holistic and verifiable background investigation of their personal
and professional background.
Age Requirements – Sworn officer positions with the USCP are subject to the
mandatory retirement provisions of the Capitol Police Retirement Act, which
requires an officer to separate/retire from the USCP by age 57; but as the
result of current critical mission requirement, the age has been increased to
59.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of appointment and ordinarily
not older than 37. However, the maximum entry age has been increased to 39
years of age at the time of appointment (or 40 years of age if the individual
turns 40 in the same month of their initial appointment), with required
mandatory retirement after 20 years of Federal law enforcement service (e.g.,
employed at 39 years of age and retire at 59 years of age).
Education -- 4-year college degree or 4 years of military experience is
required.
Valid Driver's License -- Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license
that has not been revoked or under suspension for the past one (1) year.
Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal
history check of the past 10 years.
?A criminal history check will be performed on all qualified applicants.
?USCP Police Officers are required to possess a firearm and ammunition.
Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition and are ineligible for the
position.
Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be
in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.
Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of
registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from
the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status.
Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration.
https://www.sss.gov/verify
Fingerprint Check -- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record.
Background Investigation -- Must successfully complete all components of the
USCP full field background investigation.
There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background
investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests,
or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate
misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at
any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification
regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The
primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to
deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or
misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and
selection process.