U.S. Supreme Court Police
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Frequently Asked Questions


A: Yes, all agencies proctor and grade the exam differently. We require a 70% or higher on each of the 4 sections and each section is timed independently.

A: No, our officers are not required to reside within the District of Columbia. As long as you are able to report to work on time and in all types of weather, you can reside anywhere you like. We have officers that commute in from Pennsylvania and West Virginia! Please keep in mind that we are considered essential personnel.

Applicants must be at least within six months of turning 21 years of age, but not yet 39 years of age at the date of application, with some exceptions as noted below:
  • Applicants over the age of 39 may still be considered if they can demonstrate sufficient prior coverage under the federal law enforcement retirement system special provision to allow them to achieve at least 20 years of total service before reaching age 60. See 5 U.S. Code 8425(d) for details on the special provision.

A: Active duty military time can be applied to our retirement system for the purposes of calculating your annuity, however it cannot be counted toward the years of service necessary to meet the retirement eligibility requirements. Please note that OPM age waivers do not apply to excepted service Judicial Branch appointments.

When in the interest of the Court, the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States may exceptionally consider increasing the mandatory retirement age up to age 60 for well-qualified applicants. This would allow applicants to be hired as long as they can begin employment before reaching 40 years of age. If you are approaching or exceed the age of 39, but no older than 40 years of age, we will evaluate your application under this provision.

Applicants over the age of 40 may still be considered if they can demonstrate sufficient prior coverage under the federal law enforcement retirement system to allow them to achieve at least 20 years of total service before age 57 (with possible extension up to age 60).

A: Yes, all Supreme Court Police Officers are required to graduate from the 13 week Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP), taught at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.

A: Yes, if you are using an Associate’s degree to qualify for the Police Officer position, then you can apply up to 6 months prior to graduation.

A: Applications received are reviewed by the Supreme Court’s Human Resources Office. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received, once the USAjobs vacancy closes.

A: The hiring process varies based on each individual applicant’s background, as well as the current needs of the department.

A: All applicants must successfully pass a medical examination, which includes passing the Ishihara's Test for Color Deficiency.

A: For distance, corrected 20/20 or better binocularly with at least 20/40 in each eye. Uncorrected distant visual acuity should be 20/100 or better binocularly.

A: We ask that all police applicants not deliberately misrepresent their history of drug activity. If deliberate misrepresentation is found, the applicant will be deemed ineligible for employment as a Police Officer with the Supreme Court.

A: The Physical Abilities Test (PAT) is conducted on the first day of a three day hiring stage. It will be scheduled in coordination with the Medical and Psychological Exams.

The four events for the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) will be:

  • A Slalom Run between two (2) sets of cones, placed 75 feet apart for an overall distance of 375 feet;
  • Descending and Ascending one (1) flight of steps, completing five (5) down and up series;
  • Dragging a 165 lbs. Rescue Dummy a distance of 40 feet;
  • Fifteen (15) single-handed trigger pulls with each hand, while the arm is extended. The timer will stop once the 30th trigger pull is completed.

The maximum allowable time (regardless of age or gender) is three minutes and forty-five seconds (3:45).

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) conducts a Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) fitness test, which consists of five different components. These include Body Composition, Illinois Agility Run, Sit and Reach, Bench Press and 1.5 Mile Run. Additional information can be found at https://www.fletc.gov/physical-efficiency-battery-peb




 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES POLICE DEPARTMENT 1 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20543