| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| Q: |
When did the new PSA boundaries take effect? |
| A: |
The new boundaries began on Sunday, May 2, 2004.
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| Q: |
How many PSAs/districts are there? |
| A: |
We are reducing the number of PSAs from 83 to 45. There will still be seven police districts and three Regional Operation Commands (ROCs), although 3D is now in ROC North.
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| Q: |
Have the substations changed? |
| A: |
The 4D-1 Substation—housing PSAs 301 and 302—will be called the 3D-1 substation, and PSA 404 will be located at the ROC North facility.
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| Q: |
What PSAs and districts are most affected? |
| A: |
All of the PSAs and most of the district boundaries have changed—the only district boundaries that remained the same were those for 6D and 7D. The largest changes were in the lower portion of 4D (which is now in 3D), and the western portion of 5D (which is now in 1D).
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| Q: |
Why are the PSAs changing? |
| A: |
The DC Council mandated a couple years ago that we review the PSA boundaries. During this project, the Chief of Police (COP) decided that if we were going to change any boundaries, we might as well make across-the-board changes to increase flexibility in deployment decisions and better match PSAs to neighborhood boundaries.
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| Q: |
Aren’t the new PSAs too big? |
| A: |
Some of the new PSAs are very large. The COP has authorized each commander, working with his captains and lieutenants, to identify how best to manage patrol activities and accommodate different community groups.
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| Q: |
What was the process for deciding how the PSAs would change? |
| A: |
We first announced a public version of the proposed boundaries at the Crime Summit II in May 2003. We have spent the next 12 months vetting the changes through the Department, City Council and community members.
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| Q: |
What is staffing like in the new PSAs? |
| A: |
Each PSA has at least one lieutenant. A captain oversees PSAs that have two lieutenants. Each PSA (except for PSA 707, which is largely comprised of Bolling Air Force Base) has at least 21 officers.
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| Q: |
How were decisions about staffing made? |
| A: |
The Office of Organizational Development (OOD) analyzed crime and calls for service information to determine estimates of workload by geography. They then applied a consistent formula to determine the number of officers, sergeants and lieutenants in each PSA. There will be approximately one sergeant for every nine officers, one lieutenant for every four sergeants and exactly three captains per district. These recommendations were then reviewed, modified and approved by the ROC chiefs and the executive assistant chief. Most of the assignment changes for the rollout involve moving members who are now in one PSA to a new PSA. Members are being moved based on geography—e.g. members now in PSA 413 (Columbia Heights) will still be working in that same neighborhood; their PSA number has just changed to PSA 302.
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| Q: |
Do the PSAs have more officers as a result of the rollout? |
| A: |
The only new officers to the Department are those already coming out of the recruit classes. The number of working officers will increase as more officers come off of sick leave and limited duty.
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| Q: |
What are the new responsibilities of PSA members? |
| A: |
The roles and responsibilities of PSA members will not change significantly. The Policing for Prevention (PFP) unit is working with command staff to modify the Roles and Responsibilities manual, which will be complete in early May. In addition, they will be hosting a series of PSA manager retreats in May.
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| Q: |
How are community meetings and PFP affected? |
| A: |
PFP staff are working with the ROC chiefs to identify what the first set of PSA meetings will be like in each PSA. In 1D and 3D in particular, it may be necessary to hold a “meet and greet” session first with residents to introduce new members and to work with the community to determine the who, when, where and frequency with which community meetings should be held. Efforts will be made to make sure the website is constantly updated with new meeting dates and times.
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| Q: |
How will citizens find out what new PSA they live/work in? |
| A: |
MPD is working to develop a new PSA Finder application for the website that will allow citizens to type in their address and determine which PSA they are in. This will probably not be ready until mid-May. In the meantime, maps are being posted on the website. Citizens who do not have Internet access or aren't sure of their new PSA can contact Anne C. Grant. |
| Q: |
To whom can I direct additional questions about the boundaries? |
| A: |
Anne C. Grant, OOD Policy Analyst, via email at anne.grant@dc.gov or phone at (202) 727-0915. Her office is located at MPDC Headquarters, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 4152, Washington, DC, 20001. |
