Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier initiated administrative action seeking the termination for inefficiency of several officers recently reinstated to the Department. The officers were determined to have engaged in egregious misconduct that rendered them unfit to serve on the police force, but were reinstated due to administrative error. The reinstatements were ordered based upon technical and procedural violations related to the timing of the disciplinary process.
"We're talking about serious offenses," said Chief Lanier. "These cases raise profound issues of public safety in the District. We can't have officers testifying in court when their credibility can't be trusted."
Each case will be reviewed individually. Chief Lanier ordered today’s action after an analysis by Interim Attorney General Peter J. Nickles suggested that reinstating the officers may violate District law.
Nickles' interpretation of District personnel law is based on Title 6, Section 1601.8 of the DC Municipal Regulations, which reads: "A deciding official may not dismiss a proposed disciplinary action solely on the basis of error in the application of the agency's procedures which did not cause substantial harm or prejudice to the employee's rights."
"The Chief's action tells the public our officers will be honest and accountable as they perform their duties," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. "At the same time, we'll be sure to meet every relevant deadline in the future."