Back to Metropolitan Police Department main page
Columns DCWatch
Archives Elections Government and People Budget issues Organizations |
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY RESOLUTION, ORDER AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENTWHEREAS, on December 10, 1996, the Mayor of the District of Columbia ("the Mayor"), the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department ("the MPD"), the Council of the District of Columbia ("the Council"), the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, the Corporation Counsel, and the Authority entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for the purpose of taking actions to ensure the safety of the District's citizens, reduce all types of crime, improve the quality of life in the District's neighborhoods, and deal not only with the reduction of crime but also the reduction of the fear of crime and disorder; WHEREAS, the parties to the ("MOU") recognized that the MPD must be organized to permit the most productive use of its personnel, must make the most effective use of technology, and must efficiently deploy its resources; WHEREAS, the parties further recognized that the MPD must recruit and train the finest available personnel; provide for the continuing professional development of officers of all ranks; and prepare officers for promotion to positions of increasing responsibility; WHEREAS, the parties further recognized that promotions to positions of command must be based on merit and on performance measured by the officer's contribution to the reduction of crime and to the achievement of the MPD's public safety goals; and WHEREAS, the parties further recognized that the organization and staffing of the MPD must be designed to maximize the resources devoted to policing at the community level. while also ensuring the MPD's capacity to deal with homicide, gangs, drugs, and domestic violence, and all other types of crimes and criminal behavior; WHEREAS, the ("MOU") provided for the selection of a consultant to conduct a study of, and make recommendations concerning, the MPD's organization and operations, including but not limited to, the MPD's command structure, staffing levels and deployment, finances, personnel and procurement practices, and technology and communications, as well as enforcement strategies and tactics, training, evaluation and accountability, coordination with other government agencies, and comparative compensation in other jurisdictions. WHEREAS, the Authority utilized its contracting authority to retain the services of the selected consultant, the firm of Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and has assisted in the funding of the study; WHEREAS, the consultant began work expeditiously and has made interim recommendations for immediate organizational and other changes in the operations of the MPD, after consultation with the Council, the Mayor, the Chief of the MPD, the Corporation Counsel, the United States Attorney, the Chief Judge of the Superior Court, and other agencies and persons responsible for public safety in the District of Columbia; WHEREAS, the consultant has also studied and identified law enforcement practices in other cities which may be adapted to the conditions of the District of Columbia to achieve the objectives of the ("MOU"); WHEREAS, the consultant's preliminary findings, which are concurred in and adopted by the Authority, include (but are not limited to) the following:
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the Chief of the MPD, in consultation with the Council, the Chief fudge of the Superior Court, the United States Attorney, the Corporation Counsel and the Authority, have determined that interim organizational and other changes recommended by the consultant are required to achieve the goals described above and should be implemented as expeditiously as possible; WHEREAS, the Authority finds that a state of crisis presently exists in law enforcement in the District of Columbia, which endangers the citizens of the District of Columbia and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, mandating that the Authority exercise the statutory powers granted to it by Congress on an emergency basis and to the fullest extent. NOW, THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Public Law 104-8, as amended by Public Law 104-134, Public Law 104-194, and Public Law 104-208, that:
1. The Authority hereby recommends to the Council of the District of Columbia, pursuant to Section 207 of Public Law 104-8, that it amend the provisions of D.C. Code Section 1-617.3(a)(1)(A) to extend the time in which agencies may commence adverse actions from 45 days to 120 days. 2. The Authority hereby recommends to the Council of the District of Columbia, pursuant to Section 207 of Public Law 104-8, that it amend the provisions of D.C. Code Section 4-607(2) to clarify that police of ficers who are permanently unable to engage in active crime fighting activities, such as street patrols, are, in fact, disabled for disability retirement purposes. Dated: February 26, 1997 Andrew F. Brimmer Metropolitan Police Department Charter The Charter for the Office of the Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia is to develop and execute effective strategies that prevent and reduce crime, disorder, fear of crime, and improve the quality of life for all citizens in the District of Columbia This will be accomplished in partnership with the community, and other appropriate governmental agencies, and in accordance with constitutional values and applicable laws. The Chief of Police will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Department, as such, the Chief is responsible for establishing , professional standards that maintain a higher level of integrity and ethical conduct than is generally expected of others, and will be responsible and accountable for all activities involving the Metropolitan Police Department. All operations of the police department, including planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, directing, reporting, and budgeting of all department and related community resources, will be oriented toward serving the needs Of a diverse community; as well as the Federal interests associated with Washington's unique role as the Nation's Capital. |
Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)