The IACP is fortunate to have actual law enforcement officers among its staff. Many of these officers come to us “on loan” for a year through our Visiting Research Fellows Program.
This is the first in a series of interviews with these fellows. Today’s interview is with Lt. Michael Spochart of the United States Capitol Police (USCP).
Tell me a little bit about yourself and what drew you to a career in law enforcement.
After being undecided on my major in college, I followed my best friend to the police training academy at a local community college. I graduated at the top of my class and worked briefly as a part time officer with a local borough/township before moving on to the United States Capitol Police.
What brought you to the U.S. Capitol Police?
My ex-wife’s uncle was in the United States Secret Service. He helped me explore the options available with federal law enforcement agencies around DC. I ended up applying to both the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Capitol Police, going through the hiring process for each at the same time. U.S. Capitol Police offered me the job first. That was in 1996. I’ve been there ever since.
Tell us a little about the U.S. Capitol Police.
In a nutshell, the U.S. Capitol Police is to the legislative branch and Capitol Hill what the U.S. Secret Service is to the executive branch and the White House.
Our mission is to protect and support the Congress in meeting its Constitutional responsibilities. We do this by protecting members of Congress, their families, facilities, and visitors from harm.
In addition to protection of life and property, we prevent, detect, and investigate criminal acts, and enforce traffic regulations around Capitol Hill. Our immediate jurisdiction covers a 47 square block radius of the U.S. Capitol. We also have federal authority throughout the U.S. and its territories. We have almost 2,300 employees, including 1,800 sworn officers.
Tell us about some of your favorite assignments.
I can divide my experience into administrative and operational assignments. On the administrative side, I served as the executive officer for the Chief of Police, which was a great experience for me. I also served as an internal affairs investigator. On the operations side, I was the K9 commander and the civil disturbance commander. In this capacity, I coordinated the department’s response to major events, protests, and demonstrations, including three State of the Union addresses and President Obama’s inauguration.
What do you like most about working for the U.S. Capitol Police?
I like being part of something bigger. We protect the people who make laws for our country. These are historic times, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.
I also like working for a large agency. By the time you get comfortable in a job, a new challenge awaits you. There’s a lot of variety. We respond to everything that occurs within our jurisdiction, from anthrax scares, to robberies, to homicides.
What would a newly minted U.S. Capitol Police recruit have to look forward to?
Training involves 12 weeks at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, followed by 12 weeks of in-house Capitol Police Training, followed by 12 weeks in our field training program.
First assignments are in the Uniformed Services Bureau where officers provide building security and patrol the Capitol Hill area. Beyond that, there’s the possibility to move to other assignments. As a large agency, we have a lot of options, such as bomb squad, intel, CID, internal affairs, bike squad, and crime scene.
Do you have any advice for folks looking to get into law enforcement?
Do your homework. Research the agency and ask yourself some questions. What do you want to do? What type of law enforcement interests you? Do you want to be a beat cop? Do you want to be a plain-clothes investigator? What’s your personality? Your career goals? Do you want to work at the federal, state, or local level? Different types of agencies offer different opportunities. There are pros and cons for each. Some say federal agencies focus on security, whereas state police are all about highway safety. Meanwhile local police do a little of everything. But even within agencies, there’s much variation. Do your homework and find the agency that’s the best match for you.
Also, look at the agency on a macro level, and consider all the benefits, not just salary. Tuition assistance is a great benefit.
For more information on the U.S. Capitol Police, visit their website at http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov.
