District of ColumbiaDC police had to report who attended arrests and used force
From March 31 until June 29, 2026, DC police officers had to record known details about every officer at an arrest scene and any force used.
What it does
After an arrest, DC police officers had to record what they knew about every officer at the scene, including federal officers. They also had to note any force used and any officers they could not identify.
Officers outside DC's police department had no duty under this rule. People could not sue under the rule or use a failure to follow it in a criminal or civil case.
Argument forRecording who was present and what force they used could help people reviewing an arrest understand what happened.
Argument againstBarring people from using reporting failures in court could make it harder to challenge an incomplete arrest record.
More detail
After an arrest, DC police officers had to record known officer details and say whether anyone used force, describing it if so. The arrest paperwork had to cover every officer at the scene, including federal officers, with known names, badge or other ID numbers, and agencies. Officers only had to report what they knew at the time. They also had to count unidentified officers and note if anyone refused to identify themselves. The rule took effect after the Council's March 31, 2026, veto override and expired June 29, 2026.
The act gave no one a right to sue under this rule and barred use of reporting failures in court. The ban on using a failure to follow the rule covered both criminal and civil cases. The rule placed no legal duty on officers outside DC's Metropolitan Police Department. These limits applied during the emergency act, which expired June 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 10Act A26-0290 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005882, Expires on Jun 29, 2026Latest
- Mar 31Enacted without Mayor's Signature with Act Number A26-0290, Expires on Jun 29, 2026Became Law
- Vote recorded Override of Mayor's Veto. Result: pass.Executive
- Mar 31Override of Mayor's Veto
- Mar 23Vetoed by the Mayor
- Mar 23Returned from Mayor
- Mar 9Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 23, 2026To Governor
- Mar 3Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded AMENDMENT #2 (CM R. White). Result: pass.Legislature
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Vote recorded AMENDMENT #1 (CM R. White). Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 3AMENDMENT #2 (CM R. White)Minor
- Mar 3AMENDMENT #1 (CM R. White)Minor
- Mar 3Retained by the Council
- Mar 2B26-0614 Introduced by Councilmember R. White at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics