Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Cards Issued by the DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Introduction
The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act of 2004 permits Qualified Law Enforcement Officers and Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers to carry concealed firearms within the United States, but certain exceptions apply. DoD Instruction 5525.12, “Implementation of the Amended Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004,” defines the DoD’s policies regarding LEOSA Cards.
Who is Eligible for a LEOSA Card Issued by the DoD Office of Inspector General?
The DoD OIG processes LEOSA Card requests for Qualified Law Enforcement Officers and Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers who are currently or formerly employed by the DoD OIG.
Qualified Law Enforcement Officers are DoD OIG employees who are employed under the 1811 criminal investigation job series. See section 926B(c), title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. §926B(c)) for further information regarding qualified law enforcement officers. The DoD OIG does not issue LEOSA Cards for currently employed Qualified Law Enforcement Officers because these personnel are issued credentials. However, Qualified Law Enforcement Officers who are pending retirement may submit a LEOSA Card request.
Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers are former DoD OIG employees who separated or retired with at least 10 years of service as a law enforcement officer. See 18 U.S.C. §926C(c) for further information regarding Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers.
What Information is Required to Submit a LEOSA Card Request?
Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Qualified Law Enforcement Officers who are pending retirement must provide the following.
- A self-addressed envelope with postage
- A LEOSA request memorandum that is signed by the requester and a witness. (see template)
- A photo (see instructions)
- A signature page (see instructions)
- A valid DoD OIG weapons qualification card dated within the past year. If a current weapons qualification card is unavailable, the LEOSA card requester can submit a weapons qualification card from a private range in his or her state of residence. See DoD Instruction 5525.12 for further information regarding weapons qualification standards.
- An identity history summary check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. See the following link for further information: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks.
- A retirement SF-50 or a separation SF-50 that indicates an excess of 10 years of service as a Qualified Law Enforcement Officer. Multiple SF-50s may be submitted to meet this requirement.
Retired or separated Federal employees may request SF-50s from the National Personnel Records Center. See https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center for further information.
LEOSA Card Submission Instructions
Please ensure that the photo, the signature page, and the request memorandum are submitted on a compact disc. Paper copies may be used to submit the other required information. Mail all of the required information to the following address.
DoD OIG/DCIS HQ
Attn: Credentials Manager
4800 Mark Center Drive
Suite 14G25
Alexandria, VA 22350-1500
LEOSA Card requests are typically processed in 30 days of receipt of all required information. The DoD OIG will not reimburse any expenses associated with a LEOSA card request.