Chairman Linda W. Cropp at the request of the
Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To declare the existence of an emergency, with respect to the need to establish
enhanced educational criteria in order to attract highly qualified candidates for the
position of Police Officer for the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited
as the "Regulation Enacting the Police Manual for the District of Columbia Emergency
Amendment Act Emergency Declaration Resolution of 1998."
Sec. 2. (a) There exists an immediate crisis regarding the need for highly qualified
individuals with post-secondary educational training for the position of police officer
with the Metropolitan Police Department.
(b) The current educational requirements for the position of police officer in the
District of Columbia are that an individual, at the time of application, possess a diploma
received as a result of successfully completing a four-year high school course, or a
diploma granted on the basis of an equivalency test, or one (1) year of experience as a
sworn officer or member of a principal municipal police force of a city with a population
of five hundred thousand (500,000) or more persons.
(c) Many of the surrounding jurisdictions, as well as police departments throughout the
country, require applicants to possess a significant number of college credits or an
undergraduate degree at the time of application. The position of police officer is viewed
as one requiring the ability to learn new and often complex criminal justice and legal
concepts, and a high degree of professionalism.
(d) In order to attract members who have been prepared, through post-secondary
education, for the many challenges and demands required of law enforcement professionals,
it is necessary to establish enhanced educational backgrounds for applicants for the
position of police officer.
(e) In order that future applicants have a fair opportunity to meet the established
educational criteria, it is necessary that this legislation be enacted on an emergency
basis.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances
enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the
Regulation Enacting the Police Manual for the District of Columbia Emergency Amendment Act
of 1998 be adopted after a single reading.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.