Nationally, the relationship between the police and the community is at a critical point. Although in Washington, DC the Metropolitan Police have much stronger ties to the community compared to other areas of the country, there are still negative perceptions of police in some communities and groups. At times, police officers also perceive a tension between community engagement and officer safety. On both sides, there is sometimes a perception of a disconnect between the police and the community. To help address this problem a select group of MPD officers and professional staff are being invited to apply for the Police for Tomorrow Fellowship program.
Officers and professional staff selected as Police for Tomorrow Fellows will participate in a series of workshops and community activities designed and facilitated by faculty affiliated with Georgetown University Law Center’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety. Fellows will attend a two to three hour workshop and/or participate in a community engagement activity each month over a two-year period. Workshops will address topics such as such as innovative approaches to policing, current issues in criminal justice, criminal procedure and law, the role of police in a diverse and democratic society, race and criminal justice, the unique history and demographics of Washington, DC, etc. Some workshops will include discussions with outside speakers from community organizations, universities and city government.
By participating in this program, fellows will meet inspiring and effective people throughout the community, participate in important discussions about the future of policing, and learn more about DC’s unique culture and history. Police for Tomorrow Fellows will be able to take advantage of an individualized mentoring program connecting Fellows with senior MPD leaders, and in their final months as Fellows, they will each develop and implement a capstone project to benefit the community. All Police for Tomorrow Fellows who complete the program will receive a Certificate from Georgetown University Law Center’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety, recognizing their formal achievement.
To apply, all candidates for the Police for Tomorrow Program must have been hired by MPD between April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2019. Reserve officers are also eligible to apply for the Fellowship, as are professional staff members. Professional staff members must be grades DS-7 through DS-12.
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Purpose of the Police for Tomorrow Fellowship:
- Strengthen the relationship between MPD and the community
- Provide police officers and civilian personnel the ability to grow professionally by engaging in community projects, taking advantage of mentoring opportunities, and attending community-focused workshops on cutting edge policing issues
- Build the MPD leaders of tomorrow
Who Qualifies
- To apply, all candidates for the Police for Tomorrow Program must have been hired by MPD between April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2019. Reserve officers are also eligible to apply for the Fellowship, as are professional staff members. Professional staff members must be grades DS-7 through DS-12.
Program Benefits
- Meeting great people throughout the community
- Participate in relevant and important discussions about innovative approaches to policing
- Serve your city through meaningful community activities
- Learn more about DC, including culture and history
- Certificate from the Georgetown University Law Center’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety
- Opportunity to meet with and be mentored by senior MPD personnel
Program Requirements
- The fellowship program requires approximately eighteen months of participation to qualify for the Georgetown certificate
- Fellows are required to participate in a monthly workshop offered by the Georgetown University Law Center
- Fellows are required to participate in organized community engagement projects
- Monthly workshops and community engagement projects are held each month on a pre-set days