(Washington, DC)  – The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) and its governing body, the Police Complaints Board (PCB), today released the agency’s Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report. 

OPC worked on 899 complaints during the fiscal year, more than in any previous year.  The agency also conducted a record number of mediation sessions, with 47 police misconduct complaints mediated in total, 32 of which resulted in an agreement between the citizen complainant and subject officer.

Almost 1200 people contacted OPC to inquire about the agency’s services, and 557 filed complaints.  In addition, OPC conducted over 850 interviews with citizens and police officers and prepared 350 investigative reports.  Despite this substantial workload, the agency closed 10.4% more cases than in the prior year.

Beyond investigating and resolving individual complaints of police misconduct, PCB issued two policy recommendations.  The first urged the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to improve officer training, internal policies, and public outreach regarding officer response to minor traffic accidents.  The second proposed that MPD implement changes to its investigations of bicycle crashes, increase officer training on bicycle regulations, and enhance communication with cyclists.  The annual report provides updates on the status of these recommendations as well as those issued in the preceding five years.

The agency was also active on the outreach front, conducting events in each of the District’s eight wards, and educating people about OPC and its efforts to promote greater police accountability.  Many of the events targeted individuals with limited English proficiency, residents of D.C. Housing Authority properties, or youth. 

In addition to summarizing information about the agency’s workload, the report provides an array of data relating to the types and frequency of allegations as well as demographic information about officers accused of misconduct and complainants.

“OPC staff worked hard this year to investigate complaints of officer misconduct and to promote police accountability,” said Executive Director Philip K. Eure.  “OPC is pleased to report this detailed account of what was accomplished.”

Please visit www.policecomplaints.dc.gov to view a full copy of PCB’s 2011 Annual Report.