D.C. Sentinel Special Police Officer

To be considered for employment as a Special Police Officer (SPO) with Sentinel, candidates must first meet the following minimum qualifications set forth by the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 6A, Chapter 11, as well as minimum Sentinel hiring standards.

The current standards are:

•  Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;  
•  Have graduated from an accredited high school or institution with a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalency;  
•  Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;
•  An applicant who has been dishonorably discharged from the military shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO;
•  An applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO if that applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense in any jurisdiction that would be a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), if committed in the District of Columbia;
•  If an applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense, other than a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), in any jurisdiction that would be a felony if committed in the District of Columbia, the applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO for 10 years following the applicant's release from incarceration and the conclusion of any court-ordered parole, probation, or supervision relating to that offense; 
•  If an applicant has ever been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been given probation before judgment for any offense, other than a crime of violence, as defined in D.C. Official Code §23-1331(4), or traffic offense, in any jurisdiction that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the District of Columbia, the applicant shall be ineligible to be commissioned as a SPO for 5 years following the applicant's release from incarceration and the conclusion of any court-ordered parole, probation, or supervision relating to that offense; 
•  Be free from any physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect an individual to perform the duties of a SPO;  
•  Completion of a 10-panel drug screen by a licensed medical provider with negative drug results;
•  Completion of a medical physical exam by a licensed medical provider and rendered "fit for duty";
• Be a citizen of the United States (there is no exception for this);  
•  Be of good moral character, as determined by a criminal background investigation; 
•  Be able to successfully complete the Sentinel Special Police Officer training requirements;
•  Have reliable means of transportation to and from work;
  * Hiring preference is given to applicants with college credits, prior military service, and/or prior law enforcement experience, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of Sentinel.