6217814 Resolution 21-598, Law Enforcement Career Opportunity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

21-598

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

September 20, 2016        

 

                                                                                                                                             

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Police Officer and Firefighter Cadet Programs Funding Authorization and Human Rights Act of 1977 Amendment Act of 1982 to change the age eligibility requirements for the police officer cadet program.

            RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Law Enforcement Career Opportunity Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

            Sec. 2. (a) The Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) engages youth and young adults under 21 years of age in a program to allow them to fulfill the legislative requirements for admission to the Police Academy as a recruit in the MPD.

(b) The cadet program ensures that young adults develop the leadership and analytical thinking skills required to meet the challenges of police officers, given their complex roles as problem-solvers, service providers, and professionals in the criminal justice system. The cadet program pays for the costs of earning the college credit hours required to join MPD at the University of the District of Columbia.

(c) Raising the age of eligibility will ensure that a steady stream of District young adults have the education necessary to join the MPD.

(d) Raising the maximum age for police cadet program participants from 20 to 24 years would support more District residents on a pathway to the middle class through stronger career opportunities.

 (e) There exists an immediate need to change the age eligibility requirements for the cadet program to expand employment and educational opportunities for qualified District residents.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Law Enforcement Career Opportunity Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 be adopted after a single reading.

 

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.