The high-profile deaths of unarmed Blacks have put the law enforcement profession on the defensive. Their leaders recently responded with a forum explaining their practices and procedures.
On Oct. 12, the Office of The U.S. Attorney of the District of Columbia sponsored a forum, “Police and Community: Building a Bridge of Trust” that took place at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Northwest D.C. The purpose of the forum was to allow law enforcement leaders to explain their duties and responsibilities to advisory neighborhood commissioners, civic association officers, and community activists.
Morgan C. Kaine is the First District commander for the D.C. police department. (AFRO File Photo)
“We are out there every day,” said Morgan C. Kaine, commander of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s First District. “Many police officers spend hours in the community on their own time. We sponsor events like ‘Shop with a Cop’ and activities like that.”
Kaine said that District residents can get involved in police activities through its junior cadet program for teenagers and the Community Engagement Academy that teaches people what police officers deal with. She encouraged members of the audience to ride along with an officer. “You get to see what police officers have to go through every day,” she said.
Kaine said people should remember one critical thing as they observe police officers doing their jobs. “We are human. Our goal is to keep you safe,” she said.
Unlike other municipalities, the District has several police agencies operating within its borders because of the city’s federal presence. Lt. James Murphy works for the U.S. Park Service Police Department that is responsible for all national parks in the D.C., New York, and San Francisco metropolitan areas.
Murphy said that many residents and visitors don’t understand the jurisdictional lines between the D.C. police department and his agency. “For example, we patrol Lafayette Park across from the White House but when you step outside of it, in front of the White House, you are in D.C. police jurisdiction,” Murphy said. “If you misbehave on national parks lands, we have the same arrest powers as the D.C. police.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Malis explained what his office entails and whom they work with and report to. The District of Columbia doesn’t have a local prosecutor therefore the U.S. Attorneys’ Office serves in that capacity. “My boss, Channing Phillips, reports to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch,” Malis said, inferring that he doesn’t answer to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D). “Keep in mind that we don’t report to MPD but we work with them on cases.”
When it comes to an officer accused of wrongdoing, Malis said the case is prosecuted as fairly and independently as any other case. “That independence is important,” he said.
Malis said prosecuting an officer for killing a resident consists of getting an autopsy and gathering evidence to determine whether that officer should be charged on the “reasonable officer” standard. “We look at the facts and determine whether the police officer acted reasonably during the course of action,” he said. “That is a standard set up by the U.S. Supreme Court and we abide by it.”
Even though the forum occurred after a recent officer involved-shooting of an unarmed man, Terrence Sterling, in the District, William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office told the AFRO that the shooting did not spark the need for police to explain their tactics.
Many people want to file a complaint against an officer but are afraid to because they think it is difficult and there will be retaliation by the police department. “Not so,” says Mike Tobin, the executive director of the District’s Office of Police Complaints.
“You can file a complaint with an officer by going to the station, going online or mobile phone, going to our web site or by fax, asking an officer for a form and there are also community groups who can help someone start the complaint process,” Tobin said. “When we get that complaint, we do a thorough investigation and through that we have access to all police reports and camera material. If there is a problem with an officer or his behavior, we recommend mediation.”
According to an annual report from the District of Columbia Office of Police Complaints, there were 407 complaints against D.C. police officers in 2015. Of the number, 71.6 percent of the complainants were from Black residents and 20.6 percent were from White residents. The report states that more Black officers received complaints, totaling 51.3 percent, while White officers only received 37.3 percent.