Title 5, Police, Firefighters, Medical Examiner, and Forensic Sciences.

(a) There is established an Office of Police Complaints (“Office”). (b) The Office shall be headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar. The Board shall appoint the Executive…

(a) The Executive Director shall employ qualified persons or utilize the services of qualified volunteers, as necessary, to perform the work of the Office, including the investigation of complaints. The Executive Director may employ persons on a full-time or part-time basis, or r…

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on May 8, 2027. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Past Permanent Version.* *NOTE: Section 4(a) of D.C. Law 26-185 pro…

A complaint may be dismissed on the following grounds: (1) The complaint is deemed to lack merit; (2) The complainant refuses to cooperate with the investigation; or (3) If, after the Executive Director refers a complaint for mediation, the complainant willfully fails to particip…

(a) When, in the determination of the Executive Director, there is reason to believe that the misconduct alleged in a complaint or disclosed by an investigation of the complaint may be criminal in nature, the Executive Director shall refer the matter to the United States Attorney…

(a) If deemed appropriate by the Executive Director, and if the parties agree to participate in a conciliation process, the Executive Director may attempt to resolve a complaint by conciliation. (b)(1) The conciliation of a complaint shall be evidenced by a written agreement sign…

(a) If the Executive Director refers a complaint for investigation, the Executive Director shall assign an investigator to investigate the complaint. (b) If the complainant refuses to cooperate in the investigation, the Executive Director may dismiss the complaint in accordance w…

(a) Upon receipt of a complaint file in which one or more allegations in a complaint has been sustained, the Police Chief shall cause the file to be reviewed within 5 working days after receiving the complaint file. This review shall not be conducted by persons from the same orga…

(a) An order of the Executive Director dismissing a complaint shall be a final resolution of the complaint by the Office. Such order shall be neither appealable to nor reviewable by any other entity, administrative or judicial. (b) An order of the Executive Director dismissing a …

(a) The MPD shall have full authority, under the procedures established pursuant to § 5-133.06, to initiate disciplinary proceedings against an officer of the MPD with respect to a charge of misconduct within the scope of § 5-1107 prior to the timely filing of a complaint with th…

(a) There are authorized such funds as may be necessary to support the Board and the Office. (b) The establishment of the Board and the Office are dependent upon the availability of appropriated funds. (c) Any entitlement to compensation under this chapter for services rendered s…