There are more private police officers in D.C. than our entire public police force. Private or special police have the authority to arrest, use force and, in many cases, to carry a gun. While they are required to follow the same rules as the Metropolitan Police Department, they receive very little training and supervision and have a near complete absence of accountability. Neither the MPD internal affairs, nor the District’s civilian complaint review body have authority to address their misconduct.

Over the last couple of years, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee has increasingly worked with clients who have been the subject of misconduct by private police. We recently filed litigation on behalf of a man who was falsely arrested and assaulted by private police officers.  Our client was visiting a life-long friend in the Brentwood neighborhood. While sitting at the kitchen table, two private police officers broke down the door, seized him, struck him repeatedly, sprayed him with mace and placed him in handcuffs.

The private officers had no warrant and no justification for entering the apartment or arresting our client.  They claimed they had mistaken our client for his brother, for whom they believed had a stay-away order from the property. Even if they had not mistaken his identity, their conduct was unlawful. When MPD arrived on the scene, they ordered that our client be released.

Private police operate in every corner of the City, guarding office buildings, public and private housing and public institutions. We look forward through litigation and policy advocacy to work to ensure that necessary training, supervision and accountability is put in place for this shadow force.