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What are special police and how are they different than security officers?
In Maryland, a Special Police Officer is a privately employed, state-commissioned officer who holds a special police commission and is appointed/deputized by the Governor.
The commissioning process is administered through the Maryland State Police (MSP) Licensing Division, which describes an application, background investigation, and a recommendation that goes to the Governor for final disposition.
Where Maryland Special Police have authority
A Special Police Officer’s authority is primarily property-based: they are tasked to “protect and preserve peace and good order” on the property described in the application for the commission.
In other words, they are not “general jurisdiction” police across the county; their core jurisdiction flows from the specific property(ies) listed in the commission paperwork.
What powers Maryland Special Police have (core statutory powers)
Maryland law provides that a Special Police Officer may:
Arrest individuals who trespass or commit offenses on the property that USTASC is contracted to protect and exercise the powers of a police officer on the property. In certain circumstances, exercise police powers beyond the primary property in connection with the care/custody/protection of other property of the requesting entity (or other property the entity is obligated to protect). Direct and control traffic on public highways/roads in the immediate vicinity of the property to facilitate traffic to/from the property, if requested to do so by a public law enforcement agency.
Communities benefit because many day-to-day issues never need to become “police calls” in the first place. A professionally managed Special Police program can often de-escalate disputes, correct violations, remove unauthorized persons, and restore order early—reducing avoidable 911 calls and keeping public police available for emergencies that truly require a municipal response. It also keeps the officer within the community and only tied to your community (unless you choose to share that officer with another community or location). Many times, Special Police Officers can de-escalate a situation or handle it in a better way, knowing the resident population, over that of public police response for nuisance issues.
Maryland’s new SB 455 Special Police law creates a clearer, more scalable path for client properties and communities to deploy commissioned Special Police Officers now available through licensed security agencies —bringing higher authority, stronger deterrence, and more effective outcomes than a traditional security-guard-only model.
If your site relies on standard security guards, you already know the limits: observe and report, call 911, and wait. Special Police is different. Special Police Officers are commissioned for the protection of designated properties and can deliver a more decisive on-site response, with clearer authority to intervene, document, and resolve incidents lawfully within the scope of their appointment.
For many properties, the single biggest advantage is control. With Special Police, you can build an on-site public-safety capability tailored to your location’s patterns—repeat trespassers, ongoing nuisance activity, escalating disputes, theft, vandalism, and after-hours problems—without having to depend on public police for every non-emergency incident that still disrupts safety and operations. Additionally, Special Police tend to be more cost effective then off-duty police officers.
Corporate and Commercial
These locations benefit because Special Police can function as a stronger risk-management layer, not just a presence. A commissioned posture improves compliance, supports incident documentation, and reinforces site rules with lawful authority—helping protect employees, customers, visitors, and assets while reducing liability exposure created by ambiguous “security-only” responses.
From a client perspective, Special Police is also about professionalism and standards. USTASC’s approach emphasizes screening, training, supervision, and clear use-of-force policy—because authority without governance creates risk. When implemented correctly, Special Police delivers more capability with more accountability.
Evan Avnet, CEO of USTASC, advocated for SB 455 to close a long-standing gap for Maryland clients who need more than observe-and-report security. The goal has been straightforward: give communities and businesses access to commissioned protection on the properties they own or manage, while maintaining training and oversight as the foundation of public safety.
If you manage an apartment community, HOA, retail center, construction site, healthcare facility, or corporate campus, SB 455 represents an opportunity to upgrade from basic guard services to a structured Special Police program designed to reduce incidents, shorten disruption, and improve outcomes.
USTASC can assess whether Special Police is a fit for your property, explain the commissioning pathway, and propose a site-specific plan that aligns staffing, post orders, training, supervision, and reporting into a single accountable program.
FAQs
Welcome to the FAQs for USTASC's Special Police services in Maryland. As a licensed security agency, we provide commissioned Special Police Officers (SPOs) to protect properties such as apartment communities, retail centers, construction sites, healthcare facilities, and corporate campuses. Our services leverage recent legislative changes for enhanced on-site security. If you have additional questions, contact us.
1. What is the difference between security guards and Special Police Officers (SPOs)?
Traditional security guards are limited to observing incidents, reporting them, and calling 911 for assistance; they do not have arrest powers and are not sworn personnel. In contrast, SPOs are state-commissioned officers appointed by the Governor through the Maryland State Police, granting them sworn authority to make arrests for crimes committed on the designated property, exercise police powers to preserve peace, and in some cases, direct traffic on adjacent public roads with approval. SPOs can also carry duty weapons with proper certifications, providing a higher level of deterrence and response compared to standard guards.
2. What is SB 455, and how does it allow Special Police Officers to work for security agencies?
SB 455 is a Maryland law passed in the 2025 legislative session that amends state regulations to authorize licensed security guard agencies, like USTASC, to apply for the appointment of SPOs. Previously, SPO commissions were more restricted, but this bill expands eligibility so agencies can deploy SPOs to protect property owned or leased by their clients. This creates a clearer, more efficient path for properties to access commissioned officers with arrest authority, enhancing protection without the need for direct employer applications.
3. Why is it preferable to contract SPOs through an agency like USTASC instead of hiring them in-house?
Contracting SPOs offers several advantages over maintaining an in-house team. It provides cost savings through reduced administrative burdens, such as recruitment, payroll, and benefits management. Agencies like USTASC handle professional screening, specialized training, ongoing supervision, and compliance with use-of-force policies at scale, which is often more efficient and effective than what individual properties can achieve internally. Additionally, contract services allow for flexible scaling—adding or reducing officers based on needs—while ensuring access to a pool of qualified personnel. This model also minimizes long-term commitments and overhead, making it a superior choice for businesses focused on risk management and operational efficiency.
4. What are the liability considerations when using Special Police Officers?
SPOs, as sworn officers, carry heightened responsibilities, and both the officers and the employing agency can face liability for actions such as improper use of force, civil rights violations, or failure to follow protocols, potentially leading to criminal charges or civil lawsuits. However, agencies like USTASC mitigate these risks through rigorous training, strict adherence to state guidelines, comprehensive insurance coverage (including police professional liability), and detailed incident documentation. This structured approach reduces exposure compared to unmanaged in-house setups, while also lowering overall liability for property owners by handling issues on-site without over-relying on public police.
5. How can my property benefit from USTASC's Special Police services?
Properties gain greater control over security with SPOs who can address trespassing, theft, vandalism, and nuisance activities directly, reducing the need for frequent 911 calls and allowing for faster, tailored resolutions. This leads to stronger deterrence, improved compliance, and enhanced risk management. For communities like HOAs or apartments, it means officers familiar with the area who can de-escalate situations effectively. In commercial settings, it supports better incident reporting and liability reduction, all at a more cost-effective rate than hiring off-duty police.
6. What are the requirements to become a Special Police Officer through USTASC?
Applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation by the Maryland State Police, including fingerprinting and checks for criminal history. They need to meet training standards, such as firearms certification if armed, pass an approved course by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC) and demonstrate fitness for duty. USTASC ensures all our SPOs are professionally screened and supervised to maintain high standards of accountability.
7. How do I hire USTASC Special Police Officers for my property?
Contact us via ustasc.com to discuss your needs. Services are customized based on your location, risks, and requirements, with deployment available soon in Maryland.
8. On what types of properties can SPOs operate, and what are their jurisdictional limits?
SPOs are commissioned for specific properties listed in their appointment, such as those owned or leased by clients. Their powers are primarily on that property, including arresting offenders and preserving peace, but can extend to adjacent areas in limited cases (e.g., traffic control with approval). They do not have general county-wide jurisdiction like public police. They can pursue a suspect from the property onto public property for purposes of detention or arrest.
9. Are SPOs armed, and what training do they receive?
SPOs can be armed with proper certifications and agency approval. USTASC provides comprehensive training in use-of-force, de-escalation, legal compliance, and property-specific protocols to ensure safe and effective service.
10. How does USTASC ensure accountability and compliance for its SPOs?
We maintain strict policies on supervision, reporting, and ethics, aligned with Maryland state requirements. All incidents are documented thoroughly, and our officers are held to professional standards to protect both clients and the public. All of our SPOs are issued body cameras.