WASHINGTON — As robberies and carjackings continue to drive crime in the District, the police chief answered some tough questions about accountability and transparency.
The DC Council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee held an oversight hearing Tuesday on MPD and the Office of Police Complaints.
While the second vote on the Secure DC Omnibus bill is scheduled for March 5, some of the most controversial provisions were on the minds of the thirty or so people who testified. Among the issues of concern are drug-free zones, the use of body-worn cameras, and methods of investigating police complaints.
Robberies and carjackings are up 12%. As those violent crimes continue to rise, so does the fear in the community.
But residents are fighting back against that fear, testifying before the Judiciary Committee about what the Council can do to address the root causes of violence that many say is not prioritized in the massive crime bill. Secure DC Omnibus proposes to allow police officers to view body camera footage before writing a police report and loosens the restrictions on neck restraints.
“As long as the Council gives MPD the funds and license to hurt our neighbors a secure DC is unattainable!” exclaimed Mister Ringler with the DC Policing Project.
The Office of Police Complaints saw an all-time high of 833 complaints. According to OPC, most are coming from Black D.C. residents between the ages of 35 and 54 accusing officers of harassment and foul language.
“What made you arrive at the conclusion to only focus on harassment and language issues but not use of force issues?” asked committee chair CM Brooke Pinto.
“In all of those cases, MPD already has initiated at the scene an internal investigation,” responded OPC Executive Director Michael Dobin. Dobin said one of out every ten use-of-force cases are settled in mediation.
“Residents want to tell the office how they felt they were treated at the scene of the incident so a lot of time that’s what people want,” said Dobin.
The Washington Lawyers Committee is concerned that the proposed drug-free zones in the Omnibus bill would lead to more complaints of harassment.
“Drug-free zones will give MPD an additional tool to target black and brown individuals who are congregating often near low-income or public housing," said Dennis Corkery with the Washington Lawyers Committee.
After four hours of witness testimony, Chief Pamela Smith sat before the council. She testified to several new crime initiatives including focused policing in Rosedale, Washington Highlands, and Anacostia neighborhoods. The Chief also testified that Operation Trident resulted in the arrest of 99 fugitives.
MPD will be partnering with DOB and other agencies in Operation Safe Neighborhoods to clean up crime in abandoned homes or homes occupied “by vulnerable seniors that are being overtaken by criminals to sell drugs or store guns,” the Chief explained.
“Many of you have asked officers to get out of their car and I agree, so I have asked every commander to increase their foot patrols and you will see more officers on the street,” Chief Smith explained.
While the Chief outlined several new initiatives, MPD is bringing back the “Officer Friendly” program in hopes of rebuilding relationships with the community.
The Chief said while violent crime is slowly decreasing since last year’s spike, robberies are on the rise.
She cited one factor for last year’s increase is the use of conversion switches that turn guns into semi-automatics making them more lethal.
“The number of 12-year-olds arrested almost grew tenfold last year,” the Chief told councilmembers. “Too many of our kids are going from normal rebellion to dangerous and violent behavior.”
Still, the Chief is optimistic because of increased graduates in the cadet program and less frequent retirements.
RELATED: Emergency meeting held by the Advisory Neighborhood Commission to address crime and public safety
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