Metropolitan Police Department: FAQs

You can view maps of all police districts and PSA, or do a search using the DC Guide feature, by going to Police Districts & PSAs.

I am interested in starting a police watch group or just in getting more involved in police and safety issues for my community. Where do I start?

The Police Service Area model supports the Department's policing strategy, "Policing for Prevention." This strategy works to prevent crime through problem solving partnerships among community, police, and other city agencies. There are a number of ways you can get involved in community policing. To find out more on how you can get involved, located in our Policing for Prevention section.

How can I get crime reports for my neighborhood or street?

The Metropolitan Police Department's website provides preliminary monthly aggregate crime statistics on a district- and city-wide level. In addition to the aggregate statistics on this site, the Department offers other ways to get crime information. The MPDC's crime mapping application allows users to generate maps and other graphical displays showing crimes around a particular address or in a particular PSA or police district. The MPDC has also partnered with a free service called CrimeReports.com that allows residents to receive summary crime reports for a particular police district. The MPDC emails the reports after they are posted by the department-normally five times a week, with a weekend summary posted on Mondays. You will need to know the correct police district where you reside and then sign up to receive the reports. To subscribe, go to CrimeReports.com. If you prefer not to register for the regular emails, you may also view the crime reports on the CrimeReports.com website.

How I can get a copy of the police report I filed?

You will need to know the CCN number (a six-digit number that a caller is given at the time the incident is reported). If you have that number, you may pickup a copy of your report at Police Headquarters, 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 3075 (202) 727-4357. There is a $3 fee to obtain a copy of your police report, although copies of Incident/Offense Reports (PD-251s) are provided free of charge at the request of the complainant, the complainant's spouse, or the parent or guardian of a juvenile complainant. For more information, view our Police Reports information.

I am a temporary citizen of the District and I have heard I can get a temporary resident parking permit so that my car will not be ticketed. How can I get such a permit?

If you are a student, member of Congress, or in the military, you may apply for a reciprocity parking permit that will allow you to park in the District (a person must still obey general parking restrictions).

** Due to severe parking limitations in Wards 2A and 2E, students may not apply for permits if they reside in the Georgetown area.
** For more information, view Parking Permits - Temporary Residents.

I have a guest visiting me from out of town for a few days to a week. Can I get a temporary parking permit for him so his car will not be ticketed on my street?

District of Columbia residents may obtain guest parking permits free of charge by applying in person at a police station or substation in the ward in which you reside. A guest parking permit is valid for 15 days and is renewable once. To apply for a permit, you and your guest must go to your local police district station.

I would like to report a crime via email.

Currently, the department is not equipped to process complaints or reports of crime via the Internet. If you wish to make a complaint, it is advisable to contact the police non-emergency number at 3-1-1. If you are witnessing an emergency situation or if there is a crime in process, please dial 9-1-1. If you have a recurring problem in your neighborhood, please contact the district station where you reside and speak with a PSA captain or lieutenant to discuss this.

I would like to send an officer an email message; however, I do not have his/her email address. How may I contact him?

A general directory of MPDC email addresses is not available at this time. All MPDC officers and personnel have email accounts; however, due to limited access, email is not a guaranteed mode of communication. Unless you have been given that member's email address and were instructed to contact him/her in that manner, it is advisable to communicate by phone. You may reach an officer or leave a message by calling the district station or unit where the officer or member works.

My father (or some other close relative) worked for the DC Metropolitan Police Department. How can I get more information about his service in the Department?

Detailed records for MPDC officers are kept for 75 years only, so any request for an officer serving before this time period cannot be honored. Additionally, those records will only be released to immediate family members (daughter, son, brother, sister, spouses).

To request information about your relative, please send a letter to:

Be sure to include your relative's full name, years of service with the Metropolitan Police Department, and any other information that may help us find the records.

I am thinking about moving to a certain neighborhood. Can you advise me on whether or not to move here?

The MPDC does not recommend or discourage persons from choosing to live in any particular neighborhood. As with any decision regarding a move, it is advisable to do your homework and look at all factors in determining if a neighborhood is appropriate for you. You can learn more about safety issues in a neighborhood by attending a PSA Community meeting. You might also check out the data in the MPDC crime statistics section, including the online crime mapping application.

I have heard that I can do a police ride-along. What do I need to do to get this process rolling?

If you are interested in a ride-along, you must print, complete, and return the signed PD 369 Application form. View the ride-along section for more information or to download a copy of the PD 369.

How can I become a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department?

Information about becoming a policing officer with the MPDC is available online. If you would rather speak to someone in person about this, please call the Recruiting Unit at (800) 994-MPDC.