The Contracts Branch oversees the citywide contract for security vendors and facilitates the relationship between the client agencies and the vendor through coordination and management. The branch ensures the security vendors are performing the duties outlined by the client agency and that they are in compliance with all provisions written in their contracts.

The Contracts Branch handles all requests for security services and performs assessments to ensure services provided are adequate for client mission and programs.

The Contracts Branch also manages the District of Columbia Special Police Officers that provide security services at the Wilson Building.  All contract security officers are licensed and receive their authority from the Metropolitan Police Security Officers Management Branch. 

There are two types of contract security officers. Special Police Officers (SPO's) can make arrests and can be armed or unarmed. Security Officers (SO's) do not have arrest authority outside that of a normal citizen and are unarmed.

Commander, Contracts

Commander Richard Lopez has worked in the protective services field for over 20 years.  He was previously a Personal Protection Specialist who specifically dealt with an international protection corporation in three different subsidiaries of Executive Protection, Asset Protection and training.  His personal protection work has taken him to many different international locations as well as several stateside. Commander Lopez has a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University as well as several additional security professional and self protection certificates.  Commander Lopez won the United States World Karate Association Light Heavy Weight Kickboxing Title in 1987.