a brand of
Special Police Officers are commissioned officers who hold arrest authority on the specific property they protect. GRDX staffs Special Police posts under the direction of Chief Jeremiah Dineen, a commissioned SPO and Army MP veteran. Use them where trespass, theft or disorder needs to be stopped on site, not just reported.
What is a Special Police Officer?
It's a commissioned officer whose arrest powers apply only where they are assigned. Off that property, those powers stop.
Think of the difference this way. A security officer sees a man smash a car window in your garage, calls 911, and writes it up. An SPO on the same post can detain and arrest him. For a property with repeat trespassers or a theft problem, that is often the whole point.
Commissions are tied to a place on purpose. The officer knows that building, its tenants and its regular visitors, and the authority comes with knowing that ground well.
When does a property need Special Police instead of a guard?
You need Special Police when the problem keeps coming back after it's been reported. Repeat trespass, people sleeping in stairwells, shoplifting crews that know a guard can't stop them. Calling it in again has not worked.
Apartment and office buildings
Trespass, loitering and break-ins in garages and common areas.
Retail
Repeat theft where staff are told not to engage.
Houses of worship
Services where an incident has to end fast and quietly.
Banks and cash sites
Visible authority at the door during business hours.
Where can GRDX staff Special Police posts?
Special Police is a commission that depends on the jurisdiction. In Washington, D.C., it's an established category and the one most of our SPO work falls under.
Virginia doesn't use the term "Special Police." The closest thing there is a special conservator of the peace, which has its own rules and appointment process. Maryland has its own framework too. Tell us the address and you'll get a plain answer about what kind of authority an officer can carry there.
None of this should be guessed at. An officer acting beyond what a commission allows creates a problem for you, for the officer and for us, and we would rather turn down a post than staff it wrong.
| Jurisdiction | What the role is called | Who licenses or appoints |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | Special Police Officer | Handled under D.C. licensing (SOLB) |
| Virginia | Special conservator of the peace (nearest equivalent) | Virginia process; we confirm per site |
| Maryland | Varies by role | Maryland framework; we confirm per site |
How are arrests handled on a Special Police post?
Arrests are handled the same way every time, and the paperwork matters as much as the stop itself.
Every SPO also carries the standards that apply to all GRDX officers: credentials matched to the local rules ahead of any shift, an inspected uniform, a supervisor always on shift, and one named contact for your account.
Arrest authority raises the stakes on paperwork. A stop that isn't written up properly can fall apart later, and so can a property's defense in a lawsuit. So SPO reports carry photos and times, and they're reviewed by a supervisor the same shift. If a report is thin, it goes back to the officer before it goes to you.
You can still ask for a different officer at any point. Being commissioned doesn't make someone the right fit for your lobby.
- The officer identifies the offense and acts only on the protected property.
- The person is detained and local police are called to take custody.
- The officer documents the stop, with photos and times attached.
- The on-duty supervisor reviews it and your named contact is told.
- Our compliance unit, which reports to the Chief, reviews use-of-authority incidents.
Who runs Special Police at GRDX?
Chief Jeremiah Dineen runs it. He's a commissioned SPO himself and served as an Army military police officer before founding GRDX. Day to day, operations sit with Deputy Chief Antoine Cook, who spent his police career with the MPD.
That matters on a bad night. The people setting your post orders have made arrests themselves and know what holds up afterward.
How do I add Special Police to my property?
Begin by telling us the address and what keeps going wrong there. Authority depends on the location, so the address comes first.
- Call (833) 350-4739 and describe the last few incidents.
- We confirm what commission is possible for that address.
- A supervisor walks the property with you, including garages and stairwells.
- You review post orders and terms in writing before anything is signed.
- Officers start, and your named contact gets every arrest report the same day.
Questions
Can a Special Police Officer arrest someone off my property?+
No. Arrest authority applies only on the property the officer is commissioned to protect. Off that property they act like any private citizen.
Is Special Police available in Virginia?+
No, not under that name. Virginia's nearest role is the special conservator of the peace, and we will tell you on our visit what authority is possible at your address.
Are Special Police Officers armed?+
It depends on the post and the commission. Some SPO posts carry a firearm and some don't, and that choice follows from your risk.
Does Special Police cost more than a regular guard?+
Usually, yes, because the commission, training and liability are different. Exact pricing comes once we have walked the property and written it up.
How do I know if my building needs arrest authority?+
If the same problems come back after being reported, it probably does. Call us, describe the last three incidents, and we will tell you honestly whether a standard officer would do.
What happens after a Special Police Officer makes an arrest?+
Local police take custody of the person. The officer documents everything with photos and times, a supervisor reviews it, and your contact hears about it the same day.