The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police DC MPD) is understaffed according to Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier. This increases the concern over the unsafe operational readiness issues plaguing a dangerously understaffed U. S. Park Police (USPP). The USPP depends heavily on DC MPD during large events due to the dangerous understaffing of the USPP by the National Park Service. During a critical incident on the National Mall the full staffing of the DC MPD and the USPP will be a critical factor in the response. Lives depend on the ability of these agencies to swiftly and resolutely respond.
From Daily Caller: “At a D.C. Council hearing in 2011, Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said that if the city police roster ever fell below 3,800, “we’re going to have trouble.” Those words turned out to be prophetic, as the latest number of sworn officers at MPD shows just 3,797 on the force at a time when the city’s murder rate is more than 50 percent higher than it was one year ago.”
U. S. Park Police Understaffing is dangerous:
The Booz-Allen study determined that the USPP needed 820 Officers — 2 years before 9/11. The USPP is at least 230 officers short of safe staffing for a 1999 world. Currently, the USPP does not have the staffing and equipment needed to effectively respond to critical incidents or adequately patrol its jurisdiction.
