As part of the city's settlement of a lawsuit stemming from the 2002 arrests of protesters in Pershing Park, I was required to write each plaintiff a letter of apology. What was not required, but is equally important to me, is a letter of apology to the residents of the District.
Policing in our nation's capital is unique, in part because of the number and variety of protests that take place almost daily. Most people come to our city to demonstrate peacefully. But a small number of them come intent on committing unlawful acts, as evidenced by the post-inaugural vandalism in Adams Morgan ["78 Arrested After Adams Morgan Vandalism," Metro, Jan. 22]. But whether a protest is large or small, lawful or not, the police are responsible for creating a safe environment in which people can express their views, and in which lives and property are protected. They must also ensure that those with opposing viewpoints enjoy the same rights, all the while permitting D.C. residents to go about their business with minimal disruption. Therein lies the challenge.
Police must strike the right balance not just sometimes but all the time. In the case of Pershing Park, we did not succeed, and for that I apologize. I can assure the residents of the District that no one intentionally violated anyone's rights. Initially I thought that the arrests were consistent with internal policies and procedures; it subsequently became clear that they were not. After an internal review, we revised our mass demonstration procedures, and we will continue to make improvements. I cannot guarantee that we will operate mistake-free, but I can guarantee that we will make every effort to be as close to perfection as possible. The District's residents, taxpayers and elected leaders deserve no less.
Hardly a police academy graduation passes that I do not stress to our new officers the importance of safeguarding constitutional rights. In the case of Pershing Park, I did not "walk the talk." As chief it is my duty to ensure that situations like this do not occur. I failed in that responsibility. I cannot change the past, but I can influence the future by providing the kind of leadership expected of a chief of police. There will be more demonstrations, and undoubtedly arrests may occur. But I promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure that people can come to our city to peacefully protest and enjoy the constitutional freedoms that generations of Americans have fought and died for.
I came to the District seven years ago to take over a troubled department. We have made remarkable progress in public safety. The men and women of the D.C. police department are good, honest and hard-working. They care deeply about our city. Our record in handling demonstrations has been exceptional. Unfortunately it takes only one incident to tarnish that reputation. D.C. residents should expect the very best from their police department. It is my goal to meet -- and exceed -- that expectation.
-- Charles H. Ramsey
is chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
charles.ramsey@dc.gov
