(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Wednesday morning, ten officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will head to San Juan, Puerto Rico in support of a three-day Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) deployment. MPD officers will work alongside members of the Puerto Rico State Police. They will receive their specific mission upon their arrival.
“We are grateful for the support and dedication of every MPD officer. And we are immensely proud of the officers who are volunteering their off-duty time for the San Juan mission,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Here in DC, we stand ready to work with our federal and state counterparts to help families in Puerto Rico recover and rebuild.”
Last week, Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico, leaving most of the island without power and destroying many roadways and homes. Eight of the MPD officers taking part in the deployment are former Puerto Rico State Police officers who joined MPD 15 years ago.
“We have the opportunity to show the spirit with which MPD officers carry out their work on a day-to-day basis in the District,” said Chief Peter Newsham. “I am incredibly proud of these officers and their joint commitment to this deployment.”
As part of their training, MPD officers learn how to provide support during crisis situations, including natural disasters. The volunteering officers serve in MPD’s Patrol Division.