The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) is a United States Government agency staffed by sworn federal police officers (United States Pentagon Police), civilian criminal investigators and CBRN technicians, as well as non-sworn civilian anti-terrorism physical security personnel, and is responsible for the protection of The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). In response to the terrorist attack against the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the DoD established the new agency, which absorbed the Defense Protective Service (DPS), and assumed its role of providing basic law enforcement and security for The Pentagon and DoD interests in the National Capitol Region (NCR).
PFPA expanded that mission to provide force protection against the full spectrum of potential threats through robust prevention, preparedness, detection, and response measures. The agency provides those services to the 280 acre (1.1 km²) "Pentagon Reservation" as well as numerous other Department of Defense activities and facilities within the NCR.
United States Pentagon Police
The mission of the Pentagon Police Department (PPD) is to promote high quality law enforcement and security services, in order to provide a safe and orderly work environment for the Department of Defense community in the National Capital Region.
Formerly The Defense Protective Service (DPS), The U.S. Pentagon Police have exclusive jurisdiction within the Pentagon Reservation and have concurrent jurisdiction with other police agencies in an area of approximately 275 acres around the complex. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arlington County, Virginia. The U.S. Pentagon Police also possess conditional police authority throughout Arlington County. The United States Pentagon Police are also charged with the protection of certain Department of Defense executive officers.
Pentagon Police officers are Federal officers, appointed under Title 10 Section 2674 of the United States Code. They are sworn officers with full federal authority, and receive their initial training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
Personnel
Careers
The United States Pentagon Police has an assortment of career opportunities. The motorized, bicycle, and motorcycle patrols, Emergency Response Team, K-9, Protective Service Unit, Criminal Investigations, Threat Management, Training Branch, Evidence and Court Liaison, and Recruiting Branch are units that exist for career enhancement.
U.S. Pentagon Police Officers/Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers, appointed under Title 10 Section 2674 of the United States Code. The officers possess full Federal authority, as authorized by Section 2674, and receive initial training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
Police Officers (0083) attend the Basic Police Training Program
Criminal Investigators/Special Agents(1811) attend the Criminal Investigator Training Program
Special Agents attend Protective Services Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Directorate (ATFP)
The mission of the PFPA Antiterrorism Force/Protection Directorate (AT/FP) is to provide PFPA and DoD interests throughout the National Capital Region with a total AT/FP program designed to protect lives, facilities, information and equipment. The AT/FP Division advises Pentagon leaders on AT/FP matters; conducts antiterrorism training for all Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) personnel; gathers, analyzes and disseminates threat information as it relates to AT/FP; develops AT/FP plans and programs; and conducts vulnerability assessments.
The AT/FP Directorate is composed of highly trained and motivated security specialists responsible for deterring, detecting, and responding against terrorist attacks to DoD assets within the National Capital Region (NCR). Additionally, the security specialists serve as AT subject matter experts for the Designated Officials throughout the National Capital Region (NCR).
The AT/FP Directorate also provides AT Level I Training at the Pentagon twice a week, and provides DoD personnel with a direct link for reporting suspicious activity.
Criminal Investigations & Protective Directorate (CIPD)
The mission of the Criminal Investigations & Protective Directorate is to investigate violations of the United States Code within the jurisdiction of PFPA and provide executive protection to DoD High Risk Personnel (HRP) in the NCR (National Capital Region).
PFPA Special Agent's (1811) investigate violations of the United States Code and provide protection for CONUS missions for visiting Ministers of Defense and other OCONUS missions designated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. CIPD's Operations Section is responsible for coordinating protection missions and providing 24/7 support for field agents.
The Protective Services Unit (PSU) is responsible for providing protective support for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon Building. They handle visits to the Pentagon by foreign and domestic dignitaries, as well as cover protection for special events on the Pentagon Reservation, most recently noted the dedication of the 9/11 memorial. The police officers assigned to PSU provide residence security in hotel room hallways during the midnight shift while traveling with HRP's both inside and outside of the United States. They are provided the same DoD approved Protective Service Training as the Criminal Investigators with the directorate, however do not complete criminal investigator training.
The mission of the Criminal Investigations & Protective Directorate is to investigate violations of the United States Code within the jurisdiction of PFPA and provide executive protection to DoD High Risk Personnel (HRP) in the NCR (National Capital Region).
PFPA Special Agent's (1811) investigate criminal activity under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, violations of the United States Code and provide protection for CONUS missions for visiting High Risk Personnel and other OCONUS missions designated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. CIPD's Operations Section is responsible for coordinating protection missions and providing 24/7 support for field agents.
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