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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-193
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
April 5, 2016
To recognize the professionalism and dedication of the employees of the Metropolitan Police Department, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Department of General Services’ Protective Services Division during National Police Week, and to declare the week of May 15th as “National Police Week” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Police Department, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Department of General Services’ Protective Services Division are tasked with protecting more than 670,000 residents and 20.2 million visitors a year;
WHEREAS, the mission of the Metropolitan Police Department is to safeguard the District of Columbia and protect its residents and visitors by providing the highest quality of police service with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to innovation;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department is committed to the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the preservation of peace and safety in and around public housing in the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, the Department of General Services' Protective Services Division is responsible for law enforcement activities and physical security of all properties owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of the government of the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, the sworn and civilian members of the Metropolitan Police Department routinely demonstrate their professionalism and dedication to the job by building community trust, responding to calls for service, and cultivating relationships with residents;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Police Department works collaboratively with partners in the community and social service agencies to build positive relationships between youth and the police on projects like Youth Creating Change, the Junior Cadet Program, and the Junior Police Academy;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Police Department conducts extensive outreach efforts, reaching more than 30,000 youth and adults in 2015 through events such as National Night Out, Beat the Street, movie nights, Halloween Safe Haven, holiday parties, Senior Bingo, and Play Streets;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Police Department provides a secure presence during First Amendment assemblies and other significant events such as presidential inaugurations and international summits;
WHEREAS, the heroic efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department greatly reduced the potential for additional casualties during the Navy Yard shooting;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Police Department is deploying more than 2,800 body-worn cameras to 7 police districts and 3 substations in 2016 with the goals of promoting transparency and increasing accountability;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department works in partnership with District of Columbia Housing Authority residents, the larger community, and the Metropolitan Police Department to ensure community safety for residents of public housing; and
WHEREAS, the Department of General Services’ Protective Services Division creates presentations to educate District government employees on safety scenarios such as workplace violence.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “National Police Week Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council declares the week of May 15th as “National Police Week” in the District of Columbia and recognizes the Metropolitan Police Department, the District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Department of General Services’ Protective Services Division for protecting and serving our residents, employees, and visitors.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
