The District’s mayor and police chief have proposed toughening hiring standards and training for the thousands of private security guards working in Washington, many of whom carry weapons and have limited arrest powers. For the first time, guards would be required to get training to deal with active shooters as well as learn how to de-escalate dangerous situations and interact with people with mental-health issues. The guards would also study different cultures, human rights and community policing.
The proposal also would double the mandated hours of training to confront terrorists. And guards who are authorized to carry weapons would need more instruction in firearm proficiency. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said the proposed changes — which would require the approval of the D.C. Council — were drawn up after two men died last year in confrontations with armed security guards, known as “special police” officers. Both deaths were ruled homicides, and two guards from one of the incidents face charges of involuntary manslaughter.
Bowser said that for the most part, licensed guards in the city “meet the requirements that are on the books now, and we believe those requirements need to be strengthened.” Under the proposal, guards who carry firearms would get the same hours as D.C. officers in gun use and would have to train for eight hours twice a year to requalify, double the eight hours a year that is required now. Training for use of force would also double — from 16 to 32 hours — and guards would be schooled in certain holds, such as neck restraints. There are 8,860 licensed security guards and 7,720 special police officers with active licenses in the District.
