U.S. Capitol Police / Federal Law Enforcement Entrance (FLETC programs) U.S. Capitol Police: Mission, Authority & Protective Operations Syllabus

What are the core duties of an officer assigned to a fixed post?

Control access and verify credentials, observe and report suspicious activity, maintain post integrity, enforce restricted-area rules, and initiate alarms or response when an incident occurs.

What is the primary advantage of patrol over fixed posts?

Patrol provides mobile coverage, unpredictability/deterrence, broad area observation, and the ability to detect developing problems across a large area, whereas fixed posts provide concentrated control of a single point.

What is a 'security sweep' and when is it conducted on Capitol grounds?

A systematic inspection of an area or room to detect hazards, devices, or unauthorized persons, conducted before high-profile events, VIP arrivals, and joint sessions to establish a secure space.

What are the three foundational principles of protective operations?

Cover and evacuate the protectee (move to safety, never engage the threat unnecessarily), maintain layered protection (concentric rings of security), and advance/plan ahead to control the environment.

In protective operations, what is the protective detail's first priority when an attack occurs?

To cover the protectee with their bodies and evacuate them away from the threat to a safe location, rather than engaging or pursuing the attacker.

What is the concept of 'concentric rings of protection'?

Multiple layered zones of security (inner, middle, outer) around a protectee so that a threat must penetrate successive barriers, buying time and detection opportunities at each ring.

What is an 'advance' in protective operations?

Pre-event reconnaissance and planning of a site by protective personnel to identify routes, hazards, safe rooms, medical facilities, and to coordinate security before the protectee arrives.

What is the difference between a primary route and a secondary (alternate) route in a motorcade or movement plan?

The primary route is the planned path of travel; the secondary/alternate route is a pre-surveyed backup used if the primary becomes blocked or compromised, ensuring continued safe movement.

What is a threat assessment in the protective context?

A structured process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential threats to protectees or facilities based on intent, capability, and opportunity, to guide protective resource allocation.

What three factors are commonly evaluated to determine whether a threat is credible?

Intent (desire to cause harm), Capability (means/ability to carry it out), and Opportunity (access to the target); a credible threat generally requires all three.

What is the difference between a 'person of interest' and a 'direct threat' in threat assessment?

A person of interest exhibits concerning behavior warranting monitoring but no clear plan, while a direct threat has demonstrated intent and capability to harm a specific protectee or target.

What is the purpose of behavioral threat assessment for the USCP Threat Assessment Section?

To identify individuals on a 'pathway to violence' through behavioral indicators and intervene before an attack, focusing on prevention rather than only post-incident response.

What does the 'pathway to violence' model describe?

A progression an attacker typically follows: grievance, ideation, research/planning, preparation, breach/probing, and attack; intervention earlier in the path is more effective at preventing violence.

What is the immediate protective action when shots are fired near a protectee?

Sound the alarm/announce, cover the protectee, and evacuate (cover-and-evacuate) toward the safest exit or hardened safe room, away from the source of fire.

What is 'shelter-in-place' and when is it used?

Directing people to remain in a secured interior location rather than evacuate, used when leaving the building is more dangerous than staying (e.g., active shooter outside, hazmat release outdoors, or armed threat in escape routes).

What is the difference between evacuation and lockdown as emergency protective actions?

Evacuation moves people out of the building to safety, while lockdown secures people inside by locking doors and restricting movement to isolate a threat; the choice depends on where the threat is located.

What does the 'Run, Hide, Fight' protocol direct during an active shooter event?

Run: evacuate if a safe path exists; Hide: if you cannot evacuate, secure and barricade out of view; Fight: as a last resort when life is in imminent danger, act aggressively to incapacitate the attacker.

What does the acronym CBRNE stand for?

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive hazards.

What does the explosive-recognition mnemonic 'HOT' or suspicious-package indicators include?

Indicators such as items that are Hidden, Obviously suspicious, or not Typical for the location (HOT), plus signs like wires, unusual odors, excessive postage, no return address, oily stains, or protruding components.

What is the correct first response upon discovering a suspected explosive device?

Do not touch or move it, do not use radios/cell phones near it, evacuate and establish a cordon at a safe standoff distance, and notify the Hazardous Devices Section/command.

What is a 'standoff distance' in explosive incidents?

The minimum safe evacuation/cordon distance kept between people and a suspected device, scaled to the estimated size of the device to reduce blast, fragmentation, and thermal injury.

What is the difference between chemical and biological agents in terms of onset?

Chemical agents typically cause rapid, immediate symptoms at the point of release, while biological agents often have a delayed onset (hours to days) due to an incubation period, making detection harder.

What are the four basic self-protection principles against CBRNE exposure?

Time (minimize exposure duration), Distance (maximize distance from the source), Shielding (use barriers), and Detection/avoidance plus decontamination after exposure.

What is the Incident Command System (ICS) and why does USCP use it?

ICS is a standardized, scalable management structure for emergencies that establishes clear command, control, and coordination; USCP uses it to integrate with other agencies under a common framework (NIMS).

What are the five major functional components of ICS?

Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.

What is 'Unified Command' and when is it used during a Capitol-area incident?

A structure where multiple agencies with jurisdiction (e.g., USCP, MPD, Secret Service, FBI) share command and set common objectives together, used during multi-agency incidents like joint sessions or major emergencies.

What is the principle of 'span of control' in incident command?

The number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage, optimally about three to seven (ideally five); exceeding it degrades coordination and prompts creating additional supervisory layers.

What is the law enforcement objective during a civil disturbance at the Capitol?

To protect life and property, maintain or restore order, protect protected persons and the legislative process, and facilitate lawful First Amendment activity while preventing unlawful breaches.

What is a building lockdown and what does it accomplish?

A coordinated securing of a facility (locking entrances, controlling movement, restricting access) to isolate a threat, protect occupants, and prevent an intruder from moving freely within the complex.

What is the difference between a lawful First Amendment demonstration and an unlawful civil disturbance on Capitol grounds?

Lawful demonstration is peaceful expression, often permitted and in designated areas; it becomes an unlawful disturbance when it involves violence, property destruction, blocking access, or unlawful entry into restricted/secured areas.

What is the role of mutual aid agreements for the USCP during major incidents?

They allow the USCP to request and integrate support from partner agencies (e.g., Metropolitan Police Department, federal agencies, National Guard) to augment manpower and capabilities during large-scale emergencies.