Section 6-A202. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

 

202.1A member of the force shall at all times do the following:

 

(a)Maintain decorum and command of temper;

 

(b)Be patient and discreet;

 

(c)Use no harsh, violent, profane or insolent language; and

 

(d)Be courteous and considerate under all circumstances.

 

202.2Gambling in any form by any member of the force in a station is strictly prohibited, nor shall members of the force frequent building or premises known as or suspected of being gambling resorts except in the line of duty.

 

202.3A member of the force shall not play cards or games in the station houses on Sundays, nor at any time when actually on duty.

 

202.4A member of the force shall not swing or toy with his or her baton.

 

202.5A member of the force shall not carry an umbrella while in uniform.

 

202.6A member of the force shall not have his or her hands or baton in his or her pockets while in uniform.

 

202.7A member of the force while on duty shall devote his or her whole time and attention to the business of the department.

 

202.8A member of the force shall give his or her name and badge number to persons who request them.

 

202.9A member of the force shall not testify in civil cases unless legally summoned to do so.

 

202.10A member of the force shall not be connected with any military body other than the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard Reserve Corps, or National Guard of the District of Columbia.

 

202.11A member of the force shall not engage in any political activity which on July 13, 1977, would have been a violation of the provisions of the "Hatch Political Activity Act," as amended by the Act of September 6, 1966, Chapter 73, Subchapter III, 80 Stat. 525 (5 U.S.C. §§7321-7327) as further amended by the Act of April 17, 1974 (88 Stat. 87).

 

202.12REPEALED

 

202.13A member of the force shall not engage in any contest or solicit votes for presents or prizes offered to members of the department for securing or receiving votes nor engage directly or indirectly in the sale of tickets or the soliciting of advertisements or business of any character or promoting same except by permission of the Mayor.

 

202.14A superior officer shall not receive presents from subordinates, nor shall subscriptions be solicited or made for presents by a member of the force to other members without the consent and approval of the Chief of Police.

 

202.15A member of the force shall not, by threat or recommendation, or in any other manner, directly or indirectly, use his or her office for the purpose of influencing the lawful business, profession, or occupation of any person or persons.

 

202.16All rewards received by a member of the force shall be promptly turned over to the commanding officer, together with a detailed report of the circumstances under which received and by whom paid.

 

202.17A member of the force shall not, directly or indirectly, seek publicity concerning any specific matter that is or may be involved in a trial board proceeding, grand jury hearing or criminal prosecution.

 

202.18Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to prohibit or impede any member of the force from appearing and testifying before a committee or subcommittee of the Congress or before the Council of the District of Columbia or a committee of the Council; provided, that the following requirements are met:

 

(a)The member shall provide advance notice, whenever practical to the Chief of Police of the appearance and testimony, the time and place thereof, and, if known, the subject matter to be discussed; and

 

(b)The member shall, unless in his or her testimony he or she is presenting the official views of the Mayor, state to the committee that the views expressed are the member's own views or those of any specific group which he or she represents.

 

202.19Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to limit the rights of members of the Metropolitan Police Department to do any of the following:

 

(a)To prosecute or defend complaints or grievances in accordance with applicable law, or department rules or regulations; or

 

(b)To answer questions and inquiries propounded by any public official or body duly authorized to propound those questions or make those inquiries.

 

source

Regulation No. 72-2. Approved January 14, 1972, 18 DCR 417 (February 7, 1972), as amended by § 3 of the Metropolitan Police Officer Civil Rights Act. D.C. Law 2-71, 24 DCR 6856 (February 17, 1978) as further amended March. 3, 1979, D.C. Law 2-139, § 3206, 25 DCR 5740.

EditorNote

I: § 2(a) of the Militia Exemption Amendment Act of 1985, D.C. Law 6-52, D.C. Official Code § 39-102 (1981) deleted the provision exempting police officers from enrollment in the National Guard.II: In provision §202.11, The Hatch Political Activity Act of (Mar. 3, 1979, D.C. Law 2-139, § 2512, is renumbered as § 2501, Aug. 1, 1979 D.C. Law 3-14, § 2(c), 25 DCR 10565), D.C. Official Code § §1-625.01(2001).