How do I know which police district or PSA (police service area) I live in?
You can do a simple address search for your PSA using our District and PSA Finder. For more information, view the PSA Finder.
I am interested in starting a police watch group or just in getting more involved in police and safety issues for my community. Where do I start?
The Police Service Area model supports the Department's policing strategy-Policing for Prevention. This strategy works to prevent crime through problem solving partnerships among community, police, and other city agencies. There are a number of ways you can get involved in community policing. To find out more on how you can get involved, located in our Policing for Prevention section.
How can I get crime reports for my neighborhood or street?
The Metropolitan Police Department's website provides monthly aggregate crime statistics on a district- and city-wide level and is normally available about three weeks after the end of the month. If you are interested in data about your PSA, please contact your PSA Lieutenant or attend your next monthly PSA Community meeting.
In addition to the aggregate statistics on this site, the MPDC has partnered
with a free service called CrimeReports.com that allows residents
to subscribe to detailed crime reports for a particular police district.
The MPDC emails the reports after they are posted by the department-normally
five times a week, with a weekend summary posted on Mondays. You
will need to know the correct police district where you reside and
then sign up to receive the reports. To subscribe, go to CrimeReports.com.
If you prefer not to register for the regular emails, you may also
view the crime reports on the CrimeReports.com website.
How I can get a copy of the police report I
filed?
You will need to know the CCN number (a six-digit number that a
caller is given at the time the incident is reported). If you have
that number, you may pickup a copy of your report at Police Headquarters,
300 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 3075 (202) 727-4357. There is a $2 fee
to obtain a copy of your police report. For more information, view
our Police Reports
information.
I am a temporary citizen of the District and
I have heard I can get a temporary resident parking permit so that
my car will not be ticketed. How can I get such a permit?
If you are a student, member of Congress, or in the military, you
may apply for a reciprocity parking permit that will allow you to
park in the District (a person must still obey general parking restrictions).
** Due to severe parking limitations in Wards 2A and 2E, students
may not apply for permits if they reside in the Georgetown area.
** For more information, view Parking
Permits - Temporary Residents.
I have a guest visiting me from out of town
for a few days to a week. Can I get a temporary parking permit for
him so his car will not be ticketed on my street?
District of Columbia residents may obtain guest parking permits
free of charge by applying in person at a police station or substation
in the ward in which you reside. A guest parking permit is valid
for 15 days and is renewable once. To apply for a permit, you and
your guest must go to your local
police district station.
You must:
- Present proof of residency in the District of Columbia. A DC
operator's permit, voter ID card or utility bill will suffice.
If you present a bill (or some other proof of residency without
a photo), please bring a photo ID.
- Know the zone number where your guest will be parking.
Your guest must:
- Present a valid driver's license.
- Have his vehicle registration card.
- Know his license plate number.
I would like to report a crime via email.
Currently, the department is not equipped to process complaints
or reports of crime via the Internet. If you wish to make a complaint,
it is advisable to contact the police non-emergency number at 3-1-1.
If you are witnessing an emergency situation or if there is a crime
in process, please dial 9-1-1.
If you have a recurring problem in your neighborhood, please contact
the district station where you reside and speak with a PSA captain
or lieutenant to discuss this.
I would like to send an officer an email message,
however, I do not have his/her email address. How may I contact
him?
A general directory of MPDC email addresses is not available at
this time. All MPDC officers and personnel have email accounts,
however, due to limited access, email is not a guaranteed mode of
communication. Unless you have been given that member's email address
and were instructed to contact him/her in that manner, it is advisable
to communicate by phone. You may reach an officer or leave a message
by calling the district
station where the officer or member works.
My father (or some other close relative) worked
for the DC Metropolitan Police Department. How can I get more information
about his service in the Department?
Detailed records for MPDC officers are only kept for 75 years,
so any request for an officer serving before this time period can
not be honored. Additionally, those records will only be released
to immediate family members (daughter, son, brother, sister, spouses).
To request information about your relative, please send a letter
to:
Director, Human Services
300 Indiana Ave., NW, Room 6046
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (202) 727-4261
Fax: (202) 727-0310
Be sure to include your relative's full name, years of service
with the Metropolitan Police Department, and any other information
that may help us find the records.
I am thinking about moving to a certain neighborhood.
Can you advise me on whether or not to move here?
The MPDC does not recommend or discourage persons from choosing
to live in any particular neighborhood. As with any decision regarding
a move, it is advisable to do your homework and look at all factors
in determining if a neighborhood is appropriate for you. You can
learn more about safety issues in a neighborhood by attending a
PSA Community meeting.
You might also check out the data in the MPDC crime statistics section
or take a look at individual crime reports (at the PSA level) by
utilizing CrimeReports.com.
I have heard that I can do a police ride-along.
What do I need to do to get this process rolling?
If you are interested in a ride-along, you must print, complete,
and return the signed PD 369 Application form. View the ride-along
section for more information or to download a copy of the PD
369.
How can I become a police officer with the
Metropolitan Police Department?
Information about becoming a policing officer with the MPDC is
available on-line.
If you would rather speak to someone in person about this, please
call the Recruiting Unit at (800) 994-MPDC.
