Interactions with Homeless Persons Policy
Homeless Person - ✔✔Individual who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night-time
residence, or has a primary night-time residence that is: a. A supervised, publicly or privately
operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; b. An institution that
provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or c. A private
place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human
beings.
Member - ✔✔Sworn or civilian employee or a member of the Reserve Corps.
Effective Date - ✔✔October 31, 2011
Policy - ✔✔The policy of the Metropolitan Police Department is to treat homeless persons in
a manner that protects their needs, rights and dignity, while providing appropriate law
enforcement services to the entire community.
Background - ✔✔The purpose of this policy is to ensure that members of the Metropolitan
Police Department (MPD) understand and are sensitive to the needs and rights of homeless
persons in the District of Columbia, and to set forth procedures for members to follow during
contacts with homeless persons.
Procedures - ✔✔Set forth actions members should follow during interactions with homeless
persons.
Contacts - ✔✔Members may at any time approach a homeless person who has not been
observed engaging in criminal conduct, to offer advice about shelters, services, or other
assistance that is available.
Move On Orders - ✔✔Not defined in the provided text.
