MPD is seeking police officers, with prior law enforcement experience to join the Department as lateral law enforcement officers.  MPD offers many benefits, including a strong salary, a generous defined benefit retirement/pension plan, and competitive annual leave, but best of all the opportunity to join the primary law enforcement agency for our Nation’s Capital.  

You will join 3,800 sworn members of the Metropolitan Police Department, ensuring the safety and security of the residents and visitors of our great city.  MPD has a primary role in many national events, to include presidential inaugurations, first amendment assemblies, and other activities, which make this city and its’ police department unique. With the size of the agency, MPD offers great rank and specialization promotional opportunities.

MPD’s defined benefit retirement/pension plan, allows members retiring after 25 years of MPD service, an annuity payment of 62.5% of their highest average pay.  The maximum annuity payment is 80% of the highest average pay.  Prior lateral service may be purchased from the D.C. Retirement Board. 

Lateral law enforcement officers complete an abbreviated (approximately 11 week) police academy training program, based upon their prior law enforcement training to ensure they meet all MPD standards. 

Lateral law enforcement officers receive the following primary benefits by joining MPD:

1. Credit of prior service for purposes of compensation

2. Accrual of annual leave based on length of service (to include credited prior law enforcement service)

3. Access to all MPD’s benefits, including the participation in the Police Officers and Firefighters’ Retirement Plan (Police & Fire Plan)

FY2020 salary compensation, based on credited years of prior service is shown below:

After 18 months of service with MPD, lateral officers will receive an additional 4.2% increase of their current pay. 

MPD will offer a hiring bonus of $5,000 for up to forty (40) lateral law enforcement officer hires before September 30, 2020. This bonus will be paid in two equal installments at the time of hire and time of graduation from lateral training. 

Make the switch to MPD today!