(Washington, DC) – The Police Complaints Board (PCB), governing body of the Office of Police Complaints (OPC), today released a new policy report, Stop and Frisk Data, highlighting that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers routinely fail to document critical information during stops, frisks, and searches despite clear requirements under District law and MPD’s own general orders.
An OPC audit of 77 offense/incident and arrest reports between September 2021 and March 2025 found that none of the stop cards sections of the reports were completed by officers, leaving out key details such as the justification for the stop, whether consent was given for searches, whether force was used, and demographic information about the individuals stopped.
OPC’s review concludes that by not completing stop cards, MPD is violating D.C. Code § 5–113.01, the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act of 2016 and General Order 304.10, Field Contacts, Stops, and Protective Pat Downs. These directives require detailed recordkeeping of stops to safeguard constitutional rights and ensure unbiased policing practices.
Additionally, while MPD states its current reporting system captures some stop data, it excludes key information mandated by law.
To comply with District law, MPD’s own policy, and help improve the relationship between MPD and the community, the PCB recommends:
- Mandatory documentation – MPD make stop card fields fillable and required in its Records Management System.
- Officer training – Officers should be trained to complete stop cards for every stop, with supervisors held responsible for verifying compliance.
“Stops are among the most invasive police actions and can carry serious constitutional implications when they are inappropriately conducted or insufficiently documented,” said Marke D. Cross, Interim Executive Director of the Office of Police Complaints. “When police departments fail to properly document these interactions, it undermines transparency, public trust, and the ability to hold officers accountable.”
To view the full report, visit our website at www.policecomplaints.dc.gov.