Defense Protective Service

United States Pentagon Police formerly the Defense Protective Service

Prior to 1971 the General Service Administration’s (GSA) United States Special Policeman (USSP) conducted law enforcement, safety and security functions at the Pentagon. The protection programs were primarily a “guard-watchman” operation, where USSP were primarily concerned with the protection of property. However, in response to a growing number of disruptive incidents throughout the country affecting federal facilities under GSA control, attention to the security program had to be re-examined. As a result of mass demonstrations, bombings and bomb threats within the country and region, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) was established and the comprehensive protection of Pentagon personnel rather than the previous policy of concentration on property were developed.

On October 1, 1987, the GSA Administrator delegated authority for protecting the Pentagon Reservation to the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to carry out the new mission, DoD established the Defense Protective Service (DPS) as a new organization within the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS).

The DPS Chief of Police managed this organization under delegations of authority from the Secretary of Defense down the chain-of-command through the Director of Washington Headquarters Service and the Director of Pentagon Real Estate and Facilities (RE&F). The Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police, with the assistance from those who knew what to do, directed the development of the current police force. Several DPS elements including the Emergency Response Team, the Protective Service Unit, the Mobile Command Post, and K-9 section have recently received a high degree of recognition by law enforcement agencies across the nation. The recognitions received were mainly attributed to the dynamic response displayed by the police officers in response to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and the result of magnificent and dynamic law enforcement consequence management after the attack. DPS played a pivotal role in the "9-11" investigation, one of the United States most complex law enforcement challenges ever attempted. The highly coordinated efforts involved practically every federal, civilian and military law enforcement agency.

Pentagon Force Protection Agency

United States Pentagon Police

In response to the terrorist attack against the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD) established the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA). The new agency absorbed the Pentagon's police force, formerly known as the Defense Protective Service (DPS), and its role of providing basic law enforcement and security for the Pentagon and DoD interests in the National Capital Region (NCR). Using DPS as a nucleus, PFPA has more than doubled in size with a robust police force, antiterrorism and force protection capability. PFPA defends against threats to the Pentagon's personnel, facilities, and infrastructure by utilizing a balanced strategy of prevention, preparedness, detection, response, crisis management and consequence management. Under the new Agency a number of Directorates were established: Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN); Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP); Security Services; Operations; and the United States Pentagon Police Department.

The United States Pentagon Police (USPPD) is the result of over 63 years of continuous evolution. After September 11, 2001, the need to expand our mission and create smaller, specialized units within the Agency to address specific threats was recognized. The PPD is rapidly becoming one of the nation's premiere federal law enforcement organizations. The Department is "Always Vigilant", ready and able to protect under any circumstances. The U.S. Pentagon Police Department is constantly looking for qualified, dedicated, professionals to be part of a variety of units: Traffic Officer; Protective Service Officer; Emergency Response Team; Criminal Investigations & Internal Affairs; K-9; Bicycle; and Motorcycle. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency has opportunities to serve as Federal Law Enforcement Officer at The Pentagon in Washington, DC and in Adams County, PA.

External links

* [http://www.pfpa.mil/ Pentagon Force Protection Agency]
* [http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ United States Office of Personnel Management]