He says federal and local law enforcement should work ‘collaboratively.’
Frederick, Md (KM) The decision by President Donald Trump to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC has raised some concerns from Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando. “When I saw that, It didn’t sit well with me,” he says.
“When I look at crime rates over the years, DC has seen—and I’m not saying that it’s a perfectly safe city–but DC has seen about a 24 percent decrease–I believe was the number–in violent crime over the past year,”: says Chief Lando, who was a guest recently on WFMD’s “Morning News Express.”
With the 24 percent drop in violent crime, Lando says he was wondering why federalization of the police took place and the National Guard was called in.
If Frederick was experiencing a surge in violent crime and the federal government offered its assistance, the Chief says he would accept the offer. But only if local and federal law enforcement work together. “I’ve nothing against our federal partners–we have task force officers–we work together every day. But it has to be collaboratively,.” he says.
But having federal authorities march right in and take over is not the way to go, Lando says. “To have that just placed on you, and have basically your power and your ability as a chief or as police leadership to do anything, they’re’ basically an occupying force. It just doesn’t feel right,” the Chief says.
President Trump declared a “crime emergency” when he announced the federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the activation of the National Guard. The move to place the police department under federal government control has resulted in push back from DC residents and city leaders. A judge rejected the Administration’s request to assume control of the MPD’s command structure.
This federalization of the MPD can only last for 30 days unless Congress passes legislation to extend it.
By Kevin McManus