Office of Police Complaints Releases 2025 Use of Force Report

(Washington, DC) - The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) today released its 2025 Use of Force Report to Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Council of the District of Columbia, and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Interim Chief of Police Jeffery W. Carroll.

OPC found there were 1,104 reported use of force incidents in 2025, a 9% decrease from 1,213 incidents in 2024. The total number of reported uses of force decreased by 15%, from 2,519 to 2,148. A total of 945 MPD officers reported using force, representing an 11% decrease from the previous year.

Key findings include:

• 110 officers reported using force five times or more, while 20 officers reported using force 10 times or more.
• Black community members accounted for 91% of the subjects of reported uses of force, compared to 5% for White community members and 3% for Hispanic community members.
• Males accounted for 81% of subjects, and individuals ages 18-34 accounted for 50%.
• MPD reported 12 intentional firearm discharge incidents involving 18 officers. Nine incidents involved people and three involved dogs; five people and two dogs were fatally injured.
• Subjects were reportedly armed in 16% of reported uses of force, including 12% involving a firearm.
• The Third, Sixth, and Seventh Districts reported the most uses of force in 2025.
• Tactical takedowns were the most frequently reported type of force, accounting for 47% of reported uses of force. Control holds were the highest level of force used in 14%.

As part of the report, OPC issued a new recommendation that MPD add a field to its Force Incident Reports identifying the type of stop that led to a use of force incident, such as a traffic stop or an investigatory stop. Collecting this information would help identify which types of stops result in the most use of force incidents and how subject behavior relates to the type of force used.

As of June 2026, MPD has fully implemented 10 of OPC's use of force recommendations, partially implemented six, and has not implemented three.

"Although the overall number of reported uses of force declined in 2025, the findings reinforce the need for continued transparency and careful review," said Marke D. Cross, Executive Director of OPC. "By making this information available to the public and recommending improvements to MPD's reporting, OPC remains focused on strengthening accountability and public trust."

For more information or to view the full report, visit www.policecomplaints.dc.gov .

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