History
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).
Formerly The Defense Protective Service (DPS), The U.S. Pentagon Police has exclusive jurisdiction within the Pentagon Reservation and has concurrent jurisdiction with other law enforcement agencies (federal, state, & local) in an area of approximately 275 acres (1.11 km2) around the complex. U.S. Pentagon Police Officers also have jurisdiction at Department of Defense leased property throughout the National Capitol Region, and at the US Military Court of Appeals in Washington DC. Additionally, they are charged with the protection of various Department of Defense executive officers. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arlington County, U.S. Pentagon Police also possess conditional police authority throughout Arlington County.
Read more about this topic: United States Pentagon Police
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