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Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence
A Proud Past, A Vision for Tomorrow ... History in the Making
On August 6, the Metropolitan Police Department will celebrate 150 years of continuous service to the District of Columbia. Since its founding in 1861, the MPDC has grown in diversity as well as size and been on the front lines for much of this city's most colorful history. Tragic events such as the assassinations of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and James A. Garfield, and the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan — as well as happier events such as the many presidential, mayoral, and Council inaugurations, and national parades and marches — have made the MPDC experts in crowd management and in providing assured, professional service. Today's MPDC remains a remarkably diverse department. Nearly one in four of all sworn officers are women, placing the MPDC among the national leaders in this regard. Cathy L. Lanier made history when she was named the first permanent  female chief of the MPDC, beginning in 2007. Approximately 70 percent of the MPDC's sworn members are black, Hispanic or Asian, meaning that the department closely mirrors the makeup of the resident population it serves. As the Metropolitan Police Department strives to maintain its rich diversity, the department has also raised its hiring standards and taken other steps to enhance the professionalism of the force.
As part of the celebration, several of the MPDC's most recognizable and public buildings -- including the Henry C. Daly Municipal Building (its Headquarters), the Traffic Safety and Specialized Enforcement Branch, and the First District Headquarters -- will be adorned with a special banner (pictured above) commemorating the first 15 decades of our history. The Department has also commissioned a special ceremonial badge, pictured on the banner, which many of our sworn officers have chosen to wear in lieu of their standard badge during the official wearing period, through September 30, 2011. In addition, the Department's fleet of marked police vehicles -- cruisers, transport vehicles, vans, and sport-utility vehicles -- will be marked with a special decal that contains a facsimile of the 150th badge along with the slogans for the commemoration: "History in the Making" and "A Proud Past, A Vision for Tomorrow." Watch for these special emblems to begin appearing in your community soon.
Learn More About MPD's History
This section -- which will be completed shortly -- offers an expanded look at the Department's rich history in honor of our 150th anniversary.
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