(a) Repealed.
(b) Repealed.
(c) Repealed.
(d) Repealed.
(e) As of March 6, 2007, to be eligible for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department, an applicant shall have either:
(1) Successfully completed 60 hours of post-secondary education at an accredited college or university;
(2) Served in the Armed Forces of the United States, including the Organized Reserves and National Guard, for at least 3 years on active duty and if separated from the military, have received an honorable discharge; or
(3) Served at least 5 years in a full-duty status with a full-service police department in a municipality or state within the United States and have resigned or retired in good standing.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 202, 47 DCR 4619; Sept. 30, 2004, D.C. Law 15-194, § 702(a), 51 DCR 9406; Mar. 6, 2007, D.C. Law 16-223, § 201(a), 53 DCR 10221.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-194 rewrote subsec. (a) and added subsec. (d). Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) had read as follows:
"(a) To be eligible for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department, as of December 31, 2003, an applicant must have successfully completed 2 years of post-secondary education."
D.C. Law 16-223, repealed subsecs. (a) to (d), and added subsec. (e). Prior to repeal subsecs. (a) to (d) read:
"(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to be eligible for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department, as of December 31, 2003, an applicant shall have successfully completed at least 60 post-secondary semester hours from an accredited university.
"(2) A candidate for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department whose application is pending as of December 31, 2003, and who is subsequently appointed shall have successfully completed at least 60 post-secondary semester hours from an accredited university within 5 years from January 28, 2004.
"(b) Within one year of October 4, 2000, the Mayor shall report to the Council on whether the requirement in subsection (a) of this section has had a positive impact on recruiting and whether the additional educational requirement should be expanded.
"(c) Subsection (a) of this section shall apply when the Metropolitan Police Department Cadet Program, authorized by 5-109.01(a), is funded, to the extent provided for by appropriations.
"(d) A sworn Metropolitan Police Department officer appointed after January 11, 2000, and prior to December 31, 2003, shall have successfully completed at least 60 post-secondary semester hours from an accredited university within 5 years from January 28, 2004."
Temporary Amendments of Section
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Metropolitan Police Department Education Requirement Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2004 (D.C. Law 15-147, April 22, 2004, law notification 51 DCR 4931).
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Metropolitan Police Department Educational Requirement Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-323, January 28, 2004, 51 DCR 1586).
Legislative History of Laws
Law 13-160, the "Omnibus Police Reform Amendment Act of 2000," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 13-118, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on February 1, 2000, and April 3, 2000, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on April 24, 2000, it was assigned Act No. 13-334 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 13-160 became effective on October 4, 2000.
For Law 15-194, see notes following § 5-105.01.
For Law 16-223, see notes following § 5-105.09.
(a) A candidate for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department shall execute an agreement obligating the candidate to serve a minimum of 2 years as a sworn member upon successful completion of the initial training program.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a sworn member who voluntarily leaves the Metropolitan Police Department before fulfilling the 2- year term of obligated service required under subsection (a) of this section shall reimburse the District for expenses incurred by it, up to $5,000, in connection with that member's initial training, other than the member's pay. The Chief of Police may increase the $5,000 limit on reimbursement by General Order or rulemaking.
(c) A sworn member who voluntarily leaves the Metropolitan Police Department before fulfilling the 2-year term of obligated service shall not be liable for reimbursement to the District if:
(1) The separation is directly due to the need to care for an individual in the member's immediate family; or
(2) The member transfers to another law enforcement agency within the District government and completes the 2-year term at that agency.
(d) The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may bring a civil action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to recover the monies owed the District under subsection (b) of this section along with the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 202a, as added Mar. 6, 2007, D.C. Law 16-223, § 201(b), 53 DCR 10221.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-223, see notes following § 5-105.09
The Department shall implement a program of continuing education for its sworn members, which shall consist of a minimum of 32 hours of training each year.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 203, 47 DCR 4619.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-160, see notes following § 5-107.01.
(a) All sworn members of the Metropolitan Police Department shall be required to pass, at least biennially, a physical examination and a physical agility test. The physical examination shall be performed by a physician at the Police and Fire Clinic using current medical standards adopted after consultation with medical professionals within 180 days of September 30, 2004. The physical agility testing shall be based on full-duty physical performance standards adopted within 180 days of the September 30, 2004.
(b) The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this section within 180 days of September 30, 2004.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 203a, as added Sept. 30, 2004, D.C. Law 15-194, § 702(b), 51 DCR 9406.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 15-194, see notes following § 5-105.01.
(a) There is hereby established the District of Columbia Police Officers Standards and Training Board ("Board").
(b) Membership on the Board shall consist of the following 11 persons who shall be voting members:
(1) The Mayor or the Mayor's designee;
(2) Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Department or the Chief of Police's designee;
(3) Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia or the Corporation Counsel's designee;
(4) United States Attorney for the District of Columbia or the United States Attorney's designee;
(5) Assistant Director in Charge, Washington Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Assistant Director's designee;
(6) Representative of the District of Columbia Superior Court appointed by the Mayor in consultation with the Chief Judge of the Superior Court;
(7) One criminal justice educator appointed by the Mayor;
(8) One police representative appointed by the certified collective bargaining agent, and one police representative appointed by the Mayor in consultation with the Chief of Police.
(9) Two community representatives appointed by the Mayor.
(b-1) The Mayor, in consultation with the Chief of Police, shall appoint one Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps representative as an advisory, nonvoting member of the Board.
(c) The following persons may be advisory, nonvoting members of the Board:
(1) The Executive Director, Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions; and
(2) The Director, Division of Training and Standards, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice.
(d) The appointments to the Board shall be for a 3-year term.
(e) No member shall serve beyond the time when he or she holds the office or employment by reason of which he or she was initially eligible for appointment and any member chosen to fill a vacancy created otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term of the member whom he or she succeeds.
(f) The members shall receive no salary but members shall be reimbursed for their expenses lawfully incurred in the performance of their official functions.
(g) Members appointed to the Board by the Mayor may be removed by the Mayor for incompetence, neglect of duty, or misconduct.
(h) The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor from among the voting members of the Board and the vice chair shall be elected from among the voting members.
(i) The Board shall hold its initial meeting promptly after the appointment and qualification of its members. Thereafter, the Board shall meet a minimum of twice each calendar year and at other times as it or the Board's Chairperson may determine. The majority of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the performance of duties or for the exercise of any of its authority. Advisory members shall be entitled to participate in the business and deliberation of the Board, but shall not be entitled to vote. The Board shall establish its own procedures and requirements with respect to the place and conduct of its meetings.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 204, 47 DCR 4619; Sept. 30, 2004, D.C. Law 15-194, § 302(a), 51 DCR 9406.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-194, in the section heading and subsec. (a), substituted "District of Columbia Police Officers Standards and Training Board" for "District of Columbia Police Training and Standards Board"; rewrote par. (8) of subsec. (b); added subsec. (b-1); in subsec. (c), substituted "Commissions" for "Commission" in par. (1), and rewrote par. (2). Prior to amendment, par. (8) of subsec. (b), and par. (2) of subsec. (c) read as follows:
"(2) The Executive Director, Virginia Division of Training and Standards.
"(8) Two police representatives appointed by the Mayor in consultation with the Chief of Police; and"
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-160, see notes following § 5-107.01.
For Law 15-194, see notes following § 5-105.01.
(a) The Board shall establish application and appointment criteria that include the following:
(1) That an applicant be a citizen of the United States at the time of application;
(2) Age limits;
(3) Height and weight guidelines;
(4) Physical fitness and health standards;
(5) Psychological fitness and health standards;
(6) The completion of a criminal background investigation;
(7) The consideration to be placed on an applicant's participation in court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense at any time from application through appointment;
(8) The consideration to be placed on an applicant's criminal history, including juvenile records;
(9) The completion of a background investigation;
(10) Military discharge classification information;
(11) Information on the prior service with the Metropolitan Police Department.
(b) The administrative work of the Board shall be carried out by members of the Metropolitan Police Department as appointed by the Chief of Police.
(c) Notwithstanding the standards established by the Board in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Chief of Police is authorized to deny employment to any applicant based upon conduct occurring while the applicant was a minor if, considering the totality of the circumstances, the Chief of Police determines that the applicant has not displayed the good moral character or integrity necessary to perform the duties of a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department.
(d) Each applicant selected for appointment as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department shall successfully complete an initial training program developed by the Board, unless the applicant receives a waiver pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection.
(1) The Board shall determine:
(A) The minimum number of hours required for the initial training program;
(B) If and under what circumstances the initial training program will include temporary deployment of the applicant prior to regular deployment as a sworn member; and
(C) The subjects to be included as part of every applicant's initial training.
(2) Prior to deployment, each applicant shall successfully complete an initial firearms training program developed by the Board.
(3) The Board shall determine the appropriate sequence, content, and duration of the initial training program and of the initial firearms training program.
(4) The Metropolitan Police Department is authorized to utilize the services of other law enforcement agencies or organizations engaged in the education and training of law enforcement personnel to satisfy any portion of the initial training program or the initial firearms training program.
(5) The Chief of Police is authorized to modify or waive the initial training program and initial firearms training program requirements for either of the following:
(A) Any applicant who is a former sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department who has been separated from employment with the Metropolitan Police Department for less than 3 years; or
(B) Any former member of a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency who has completed training similar to the Metropolitan Police Department's initial training program and initial firearms training program and who has been separated from employment with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency for less than 3 years.
(e) The Board shall:
(A) Develop and implement a program of continuing education for its sworn members.
(B) Determine the components for the Metropolitan Police Department's continuing education program;
(C) Determine the appropriate consequence, including ineligibility for promotion, if a member fails to satisfy the continuing education requirement; and
(D) Require each sworn member to successfully complete a firearms training program.
(E) The Metropolitan Police Department is authorized to utilize the services of other law enforcement agencies or organizations engaged in the education and training of law enforcement personnel to satisfy any portion of the required continuing education or the firearms training program. The Board shall establish guidelines for the approval of any training program.
(f) The Board shall:
(A) Establish the minimum requirements for any instructor of any component of the Metropolitan Police Department's initial training program, continuing education program, or firearms training program; and
(B) Through the Chief of Police, not later than October 31 of each calendar year, deliver a report to the Mayor and the Council concerning the Metropolitan Police Department's initial training program, continuing education program, and firearms training program.
(C) The report shall include the number of:
(i) Applicants who have successfully completed the application process;
(ii) Applicants who have completed the initial training program;
(iii) Sworn members who have completed the continuing education and firearms training programs; and
(iv) A plan for the following calendar year's recruiting efforts and initial and continuing education programs, including plans for correcting any deficiencies indicated by the data from the preceding calendar year.
(f-1) Within 24 months of September 30, 2004, the Board shall:
(1) Review the tuition assistance program;
(2) Evaluate and make recommendations on the issue of creating separate career tracks for patrol and investigations;
(3) Establish minimum selection and training standards for members of the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department; and
(4) Review the Metropolitan Police Department Reserve Corps program's training and standards and make recommendations, as necessary.
(g) Any applicant who met the age requirement at the time of application and who was denied appointment on the basis of racial discrimination, as determined by the Director of the Office of Human Rights, may be appointed notwithstanding the applicant's age at the time of that determination.
(h) Applications for appointment to the Metropolitan Police Department shall be made on forms furnished by the Metropolitan Police Department.
(i) Appointments to the Metropolitan Police Department shall be for a probationary period to be determined by the Board. Continuation of service after the expiration of that period shall be dependent upon the conduct of the appointee and his or her capacity for the performance of the duties to which assigned, as indicated by reports of superior officers. The probationary period shall be an extension of the examination period.
(j) If the Police and Fire Clinic shall find any probationer physically or mentally unfit to continue his or her duties, that probationer shall be required to appear before the Police and Firefighter's Retirement and Relief Board. That Board shall make any findings as are required pursuant to § 5- 713, and those findings shall be incorporated in a recommendation submitted to the Mayor.
(k) Each police officer appointed shall maintain a level of physical fitness to be determined by the Board. The final determination with respect to inappropriate fitness levels shall be made by the Medical Director of the Police and Fire Clinic.
(l) This section shall become effective upon adoption by the Chief of Police of regulations to implement this section.
(Oct. 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-160, § 205, 47 DCR 4619; Sept. 30, 2004, D.C. Law 15-194, § 302(b), 51 DCR 9406.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-194 substituted "Board" for "Training and Standards Board" in the introductory language of subsec. (d), par. (1) of subsec. (d), subsec. (e), the introductory language of subsec. (f), and subsecs. (i) and (k); substituted "October 31" for "November 31" in subpar. (B) of subsec. (f); and added subsec. (f-1).
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-160, see notes following § 5-107.01.
For Law 15-194, see notes following § 5-105.01.
