Testimony to the DC Council for the DC Metropolitan Police Department Oversight Hearing By the DC Anti-Violence Project Esteemed DC Council Members, My name is Stephania Mahdi, I am the Chair of the DC Anti-Violence Project (DC AVP), a program at the DC Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community (LGBT). The DC Anti-Violence Project aims to reduce violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through community outreach, education, and monitoring cases to ensure that the rights and dignity of LGBT victims are respected and protected. The DC AntiViolence Project also seeks to assist victims of anti-LGBT violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging reporting and providing community support. In our effort to reduce violence against the LGBT community, DC AVP works closely with the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) LGBT Liaison Unit (LGBTLU). We are provided statistics and case related information on hate biased crimes. This partnership has proven to be beneficial in allowing us to provide resources and support in response to reports of violence. DC AVP and the community at large appreciate the commitment and dedication from the liaison unit. Our hope is to build and grow upon this partnership in the future. Our shared goal is in the reduction of violence against the gay community. DC AVP would like to propose four actions that would assist in this effort. Proposals for action plans moving forward 1.The department’s support of a robust dedicated LGBTLU 2. Carefully vetted and trained affiliate officers 3. Support of the LGBT cultural competency course 4. The restoration of the LGBTLU’s midnight shift In 2015 the DC Trans Coalition released the DC Trans Needs Assessment the largest city-based, trans-specific needs assessment in US history, with over 500 participants surveyed. The key findings highlighted in the report identified a problematic trend with significant emphasis upon those most vulnerable to violent crimes, specifically transgender women of color. Of those assessed, transgender (trans) individual’s experienced disturbingly high rates of assault and harassment. 74% of those surveyed reported they had been verbally assaulted, 42% physically assaulted, and 35% sexually assaulted. Among black transgender persons, 62% of trans feminine persons of color had been physically assaulted. Additionally 18% of trans feminine individuals reported physical assault by the police while 8% of trans feminine individuals reported experiencing sexual assault by the police. Areas of Concern regarding abuse by police Any instance of an assault by a police officer against a member of the gay community should not be tolerated. Proper reporting of this abuse should be supported by the police department. Additionally, reports of abuse should be concluded and followed up with the disciplinary actions taken by the department to correct the problem. This action would support community building and a partnership of trust between the LGBT community and law enforcement. The department should encourage continued education in the current LGBT cultural competency course. This course could assist in preventing discrimination and assault from police officers against community members.

Areas of Concern regarding the LGBTLU In January 2016 the DC police department made the problematic decision to end the LGBT liaison units midnight shift. The midnight shift has often been the unit’s busiest time period, higher rates of violent crime and domestic violence occur during late-night hours. The unit has also seen a sharp reduction in its full time staff. The question can then be asked, with the reduction in the core liaison officers, what is the availability of the supplemental affiliate officers when a crime is reported? Furthermore, liaison officers are being tasked to unrelated patrol duties for the majority of their shift. One could deduce that officer response time and focus on LGBT related calls for service has been greatly diminished. The truth of the matter is the LGBT community does not feel the same level of support from the Liaison Unit that they have received in previous years. To compound the issue of officer availability, community members have also expressed dissatisfaction with communication and access to the liaison unit. Several complaints from community members have been an inability to contact liaison members directly. The current web page directs residents to call 911 or the office or fax number. Cell phone numbers and a list of officer’s names are not provided on the web page or in print materials. Previously, the unit provided print materials and business cards with this information. Successful access to liaison officers is a particular area of concern for DC AVP. Direct access could assist in the reporting of anti-gay hate crimes in addition to domestic violence and sexual assault. Historically, crimes directed at individuals for their gender identity or sexual orientation make up the majority of hate crimes committed in the District. Access to liaison officers could be useful in the reporting of such crimes. In 2015 DC experienced sixty-six (66) hate crimes. Over half of these crimes (37) were committed against the LGBT community. Although anti-gay hate crimes have slightly decreased, 37 hate crimes is still an alarming number. Access to the unit specifically created to assist this community would be helpful in response to these crimes. Additionally, increased outreach should be conducted and supported by the police department to inform the community of the liaison unit’s capabilities, hours, and officers.

In conclusion, We appreciate the work and effort of the LGBTLU. We look forward to continuing our partnership and assisting in the reduction of violence against the gay community. However, there are areas of concern that would assist in this effort. The department’s support of a robust dedicated liaison unit, carefully vetted and trained affiliate officers, support of the LGBT cultural competency course and finally the restoration of the LGBT Liaison Unit’s midnight shift. Thank you for your time.