Metropolitan Police Department: Joint Public Oversight Hearing on Investigation into Use of Police Mobile Digital Computers

In the meantime, we have taken a number of immediate preventative measures. Assistant Chief Jordan has instituted quarterly audits of MDC transmissions, to be carried out by OPR's Audit and Compliance Branch. In addition, OPR's Office of Internal Affairs will conduct random integrity checks of MDC transmissions. When additional transgressions are discovered, we will continue to take swift action. Where new procedures or additional training are needed, we will provide them as well. We have already added a log-on warning message to the MDCs themselves, and we are looking into adding filtering software to the MDC network. And although it is my belief that MDC transmissions are covered by existing Departmental orders pertaining to officer conduct and regular e-mail transmissions, we are in the process of publishing a new Special Order specifically on MDC usage.

Of course, when all is said and done, maintaining professionalism at all times is up to each and every one of our members. No police officer should need a training course or a special policy to tell them that offensive language, racism or biased policing in any shape or form are wrong ... period. Those members who are incapable of getting this message will be dealt with harshly.

In addition to these measures, I announced earlier this month that our Department will soon begin collecting data on contacts our officers have with members of the community during traffic stops, field interrogations and other activities. I have met with a variety of experts - from the law enforcement and civil rights communities - to determine the best methods for collecting, analyzing and using this type of data. While data collection by itself is no panacea, it will provide important insight into the daily activities of officers. More importantly, it will help ensure our officers are not engaging in any form of biased policing. I will keep this Committee apprised of the implementation of this important policy decision.

We are also committed to keeping key stakeholders up to date on the direction and progress of the entire investigation. OPR has held briefings with a number of organizations and individuals, including MPDC's Command Staff, our Internal Affairs agents, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the D.C. Office on Human Rights, the Office of Citizen Complaint Review, as well as members of the Administration and the Council. These briefings, I believe, are critical to ensuring stakeholder confidence in the integrity of an investigation as sensitive and important as this one.

In closing, I want to reassure the Committee - and the community - that the language and conduct displayed by a small minority of officers in no way reflect the professionalism and integrity of our Department as whole. The MPDC is not a racist Department. We are not a sexist Department. We are not a homophobic Department. We are not a Department that engages in widespread biased policing of any type. In fact, my biggest fear is that the actions of a small group of police officers will serve to undermine, or at least set back, three years of progress our Department has made in reducing crime, implementing community policing and rebuilding public confidence in its police.

As I have told our employees, members of the MPDC are held to a higher standard - as well we should be. The vast, vast majority of our police officers and civilian employees understand and accept that challenge. And they perform at an extraordinarily high level, day in and day out, serving the community and keeping the peace. These dedicated men and women are the primary reason that crime in our city is down for the sixth consecutive year in 2001, including a 36 percent reduction in homicides so far this year.

These dedicated men and women are the primary reason that the MPDC continues to be held up as the industry standard for how to handle large-scale demonstrations such as the continuing protests against the IMF, World Bank and other organizations. And these dedicated men and women are one of the primary reasons that public confidence in the police - and in our city as a whole - has rebounded in recent years, as the District has attracted new residents, new housing and new businesses.

I am very proud to serve alongside these members, and I am very concerned that their reputations may have been unfairly sullied by this whole matter. At the same time, I am confident in their ability to learn from this experience and to continue moving forward, as we strive to make all of our neighborhoods even safer and healthier. With the continued support of our Mayor and the Council, and especially our partners in the community, I am sure we will succeed.