"The OPC performs an essential role in ensuring independent review of complaints from District's residents regarding the Metropolitan Police Department, and it needs appropriate resources to fulfill this important function," said Mario Acosta-Velez, Stein Club's President.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Councilmembers:

On behalf of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the largest LGBT political organization in the District, I am writing to bring to your attention an important matter affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. We are concerned about insufficient funding for the DC Office of Police Complaints (OPC). The work of this office is extremely important to our community.

It receives complaints from members of the public concerning police action. OPC has the authority to investigate complaints and to either foster mediation to resolve the dispute or make a determination of the complaint based on merit.

OPC is independent of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPB). This independence is its greatest strength. OPC does much to give the public, particularly our own community, confidence in the MPD. It is an essential part of the justice system. OPC continues to make improvements in carrying out its mission. During fiscal year 2005, for example, OPC reduced its number of open complaints by 13%, despite the fact the agency received 24% more complaints during fiscal year 2005.

We are concerned that the Mayor’s proposed OPC budget for fiscal year 2007 would reduce OPC’s salary budget by 10%, or $127,000. A cut of this magnitude would require that OPC lay off three of the new investigators added to OPC’s staff in fiscal year 2005. This would be a serious blow to the agency, and it would significantly impair OPC’s ability to fully and fairly investigate the complaints it receives.

We ask that you restore OPC’s salary budget for fiscal year 2007, so that OPC can continue to serve the public, including our community, effectively.

Sincerely,

Gertrude Stein Democratic Club

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