Legal Definitions - Pentagon Force Protection Agency

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) is a specialized law enforcement and security organization operating within the U.S. Department of Defense. Its core mission is to protect the Pentagon building, its occupants, and other designated military facilities located in the National Capital Region, which includes the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This involves maintaining a dedicated police force, enforcing laws, managing access control, and providing comprehensive security services to ensure the safety and operational continuity of these critical defense installations.

• Scenario: A contractor arrives at a secure entrance of the Pentagon but realizes they have forgotten their access badge.

  Explanation: PFPA officers stationed at the entrance would engage with the contractor, verify their identity through alternative means, or direct them to the appropriate badging office. This demonstrates the PFPA's daily role in managing access, enforcing security protocols, and ensuring that only authorized personnel enter the protected facilities.

• Scenario: During a busy workday, an unattended vehicle is reported parked suspiciously close to a perimeter fence of a military installation under PFPA jurisdiction in Arlington, Virginia.

  Explanation: The PFPA would immediately dispatch its police units to investigate, secure the area, and, if necessary, coordinate with specialized units like explosive ordnance disposal. This illustrates the agency's responsibility for rapid emergency response and its capability to manage potential threats to the safety and security of defense facilities.

• Scenario: A high-ranking Department of Defense official is scheduled to attend a sensitive meeting at a secure annex building located a few miles from the main Pentagon campus.

  Explanation: A PFPA protective services detail would provide a secure escort for the official, ensuring their safe transit and presence at the meeting. This highlights the PFPA's function in providing personal security and protective services for key personnel within their operational area, beyond just the physical buildings.