I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to urge the Senate to consider H.R. 5107, the “Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC (CLEAN DC) Act,” which passed the House on a bipartisan 233-190 vote last November.
This legislation would repeal the entirety of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act (CPJRAA) as enacted by the Washington, D.C. City Council in 2022. This legislation stripped the brave men and women serving the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of their right to bargain collectively with the District over disciplinary procedures—a right which every other public employee in D.C. has. It is completely unfair to treat public employees differently under the law simply because they are police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police is proud to be the union that represents the men and women of the MPD and we are as committed to protecting their rights as employees as they are to protecting the streets and neighborhoods of our nation’s capital.
In 2023, Congress demonstrated bipartisan resolve by passing H.J. Res. 42, which disapproved of this law after Mayor Bowser’s initial veto was overridden by the Council. The resolution cleared the House by a vote of 229-189 and the Senate by 56-43. Unfortunately, President Biden’s veto allowed its enactment, and the officers of MPD lost key collective bargaining rights and the ability to use certain less-than-lethal technologies to respond to civil unrest.
The veto showed a profound lack of trust and disrespect to the officers of MPD. Irresponsible legislative actions like this have greatly contributed to the recruitment and retention crisis in the District. Since the CPJRAA passed, the MPD has lost over 2,000 officers—nearly one-third of the department. Of these, 40% were resignations—men and women who just walked away from their law enforcement careers in the District of Columbia. In fact, overall staffing at MPD is at its lowest level in 50 years. We believe that this type of attrition is directly attributable to the appalling way these officers have been treated by the City Council and the total indifference the Council has toward law enforcement and public safety.
By passing H.R. 5107, the “CLEAN D.C. Act,” Congress will restore the collective bargaining rights the D.C. City Council took away and will ensure that the men and women of MPD will be better able to protect the safety of everyone who lives, works, and visits our nation’s capital.
The Fraternal Order of Police has long advocated for policies that support our members in their mission to serve and protect. We are proud to be the voice of the D.C. Police Union (D.C. FOP Lodge #2) and, on behalf of our 382,000 members, we urge the Senate to take up and pass this important legislation. If we can provide any additional information or examples about these pieces of legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President