FAQs
What is a Special Police Officer? (SPO)
An SPO is a security personnel who has arrest powers on the property that he/she protects in Maryland. Special Police officers have the same powers as regular police officers with the exception that their jurisdiction is limited to the property that they are licensed to protect. Their powers evaporate at the property line.
What is the difference between a security and special police officer?
Security officers do not have arrest powers and are not sworn personnel. Special Police Officers are sworn personnel who have arrest powers on private property and who are employed directly by the property.
What is the difference in training between SPO and security?
The initial security officer course is 12 hours, while the Special Police officer course is 80 hours. For a renewal, special police training is 12 hours, while security guard training is 8 hours. The special police course is much more in depth training.
Can I enroll in online courses?
As a SPO can I work for a security guard company? Can I rent myself out as an SPO?
SPOs can technically work for security guard agencies, but their powers are only on the property of that agency. A security guard company cannot rent out SPOs as they do security guards. An SPO cannot rent themselves out to different properties, etc. They must be commissioned at each property they protect and typically are W-2 employees. They are typically not subcontractors.
We offer convenient online courses for Maryland Security and Special Police Officers. Our courses are designed to fit your busy schedule and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your career. You cannot be a felon.
How can I get in touch with an advisor?
Who teaches the courses?
All of our courses are taught by certified MPCTC instructors with a background in law enforcement and security operations. Our instructors have years of experience in the field and are committed to providing you with the best possible training.
What are Special Police courses?
What payment options are available?
You are required to pay in advance for each course. We accept credit card, debit card, E-check, PayPal and Venmo.
What are Security Officer courses?
Maryland has established requirements for Special Police Officers to be licensed. Part of that requirement is that they receive training that is certified by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC). We teach those courses. The initial course is 80 hours, and the renewal course is 12 hours and is required every 3 years from initially being licensed.
Can I become a Special Police Officer or a Security Officer without this training?
No. The State of Maryland now requires this training for both professions. In order for the Maryland State Police to process your application for either profession or renew your license, you must submit certified training documents with your application packet. The only job that is exempt from this training is an unarmed bar security person (typically called a bouncer). The requirement for security officers goes into effect Jan 1, 2025.
Maryland has established new requirements for security officers to be licensed. Under these new requirements, new security officers who are licensed must undergo 12 hours of initial training and 8 hours of in-service training every 3 years. All security officers in Maryland, regardless if working for a security company or directly working for a property such as a cannabis dispensary, in-house security at a business, an HOA, an apartment complex, etc. must be licensed. This takes effect Jan 1, 2025.
Am I exempt if I was a prior military or a prior police officer? What about if I am a security or special police officer in another state?
We're here to help! You can contact us by phone or email to speak with an advisor who can answer any questions you have about our courses, enrollment, and more.
Is the Maryland Special Police and Security Training Academy a government agency?
No. We are a private training company. All training for Special Police and/or security officers in Maryland is conducted by either private companies or educational institutions. The only government agencies that train security and special police officers are those who employ their personnel for the security of public buildings, etc.
Do you guarantee that I get licensed?
It depends. If you were a police officer within the last 3 years, you may skip the training requirement for initial or renewal training. However, licensing is still required. Military service is not exempt. Security officers and special police officers from other states are not exempt.
Are you really certified to provide these classes?
Yes. Our courses are certified by the Maryland Police and Corrections Commission and all of our instructors are also certified.
No. No agency or instructor can "guarantee" you as licensed. The Maryland State Police licensing division performs licensing. However, this course is required to be licensed.
Am I an SPO or Security Officer after taking this class?
No. To be an SPO you have to be employed at a property that will endorse your application to be an SPO, complete the application to the Maryland State Police, then get sworn in at the county clerk's office, then receive the card from the Maryland State Police. To be a security officer prior to January 1st, 2025, you have to be employed either directly by the property (which does not require the course until Jan 1, 2025) OR you have to be employed by a security guard company and complete a Maryland State Police application through the security guard company that is employing you.
I have a prior felony conviction or a serious misdomenor conviction, can I become a security guard or a special police officer?
Do I get licensed to carry pepper spray, handcuffs, a gun, a taser or a baton?
No, not with an approved MPCTC course. MPCTC does not allow weapons qualifications/certifications to be a part of the instructional objectives. However, we do offer certification for baton, pepper spray, JPX, defensive tactics and handcuffing but that is at an additional expense and are separate classes.