Monday, July 11, 2016
Tomorrow, Mayor Muriel Bowser will introduce two bills designed to augment staffing levels at Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), while also paving a pathway to the middle class for District youth.
The Law Enforcement Career Opportunity Amendment Act of 2016 aims to increase the pool of qualified cadet candidates by changing the maximum age of program participants from 21 years of age to 25 years of age. Participants in the cadet program must have graduated from a District high school and are employed by MPD in civilian positions working about 20 hours a week, rotating through a variety of assignments throughout the Department. This legislation amends the Police Officer and Firefighter Cadet Programs Funding Authorization and Human Rights Act of 1977 Amendment Act of 1982.
“The cadet program is an opportunity for young adults in the District to get on a pathway to the middle class. It also furthers our goal of having District residents employed in our vitally important public safety sector,” said Mayor Bowser. “We want our police officers out there doing the work we need them to do, protecting our streets. We all want to live in a just and fair and peaceful world. As Mayor, I will continue to attack the causal roots of violence, and I will work hard to minimize its individual effects. And we will continue to deepen the trust and respect between our law enforcement and our residents.”
Extending the age of eligibility for the Cadet Program will increase the pool of talented recruits in the coming years, so it is an important investment in MPD’s future. Expansion will also mean that even more young adults will benefit from access to employment opportunities, secondary education and a career in public service. This is truly a win-win opportunity.
Cadets convert to career police status upon completion of their Associate Degree program and enter recruit training to become a sworn officer. There are currently 19 cadets and we anticipate that the new Academy of Public Safety, which will be launched in August at Anacostia High School, will be a strong springboard into the cadet program.
Although expanding the pool of eligible cadets is a great opportunity, hiring a new recruit does not replace the experience provided members of higher ranks that are retiring.
Amending the Retired Police Officer Redeployment Act of 1992, the Senior Law Enforcement Amendment Act of 2016 solves that issue by authorizing the Chief of Police to rehire retired MPD Sergeants and Detectives, thus assisting MPD in retaining experienced, highly qualified members who can help to train the next generation of investigations, managers and leaders.