The Metropolitan Police Department, also known as the Metro Police, is the municipal police force for Washington, DC. Headed by a Chief of Police it was formed in 1861 in accordance with the personal wishes of President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, who took a personal interest in the founding of regular police for the nations capital. Upon the establishment of Washington ,DC, both Maryland and Virginia appointed Constables to patrol the city. In 1802 the city was given police primacy and appointed a Watch of a Captain and 15 Watchmen, who patrolled until 1861. The Metro Police duties include the provision of police services to the city and its inhabitatnts and to supplement the various federal security police forces in the city. It maintains 3,600 sworn officers and 600 civilian support staff. It is unique in that 25% of its personnel are women. It exercises concurrent jurisdiction with the United States Park Police, citywide in general and on National Park Service property in general.

External link

Metro Police website (http://mpdc.dc.gov/main.shtm)