Bowser Administration Statement on MPD Incident Involving Jason Goolsby

(Washington, DC) – Below, please find a statement from Kevin Donahue, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice:

“The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is conducting a review of Monday’s unfortunate incident to ensure that all procedures were followed. Additionally, Mr. Goolsby and Mr. Brown can choose to file a complaint, which will result in an independent review. Mayor Bowser is committed to a fair and thorough review of Monday’s incident.

Since coming into office, Mayor Bowser has championed policies that improve police-community relations.  In addition to undertaking community engagement on policing like the #IwishUknew youth forum, the Mayor provided funding so that all 2,800 officers who regularly interact with the public will be equipped with a body camera. If the officers involved here had been wearing body cameras, a recording of the entire incident - from the moment the call came in, to the end of the incident - would be available to those involved, and ultimately to the public. The program has not moved forward because the Council has not finalized rules. The Administration urges Council to pass rules so cameras can be deployed as soon as possible."