WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine released the following statement in response to recent interactions between the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the community:

“The video capturing MPD’s interaction with a 9-year-old boy on Monday is obviously concerning. In light of recent events involving MPD officers’ interactions with children, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) proposed, and the Mayor and Police Chief have accepted, the following:

• OAG will survey the practices of police and relevant law enforcement authorities across the country to identify the best practices related to police interaction with children;
   
• OAG will review the best practices against the current MPD orders and policies governing such interactions and will provide recommendations for improvement; and
   
• Relying on the best practices around the country, OAG will also recommend what changes, if any, should be made to the manner in which police officers are trained on the proper way to interact with children. 

“We look forward to working together with MPD and the Mayor’s office to ensure District children are treated with the highest level of care and safety.”