WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 15, 2008) Aca,!" The Army Reserve and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department formally signed a partnership yesterday that will allow both organizations to recruit, train and employ men and women desiring to serve the nation and the district.
The fifth such partnership program between the Army Reserve and employer partners, the initiative with a major police department is a first for two public-sector organizations. The MPDC is one of the 10 largest police agencies in the country, and the Army Reserve provides for 93-percent of the ArmyAca,!a,,cs total military police force.
DC Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier told the audience of Soldiers and police officers at the Metropolitan Police Academy that the tie to the Reserve was a significant and important step to improve relationships and enhance recruiting efforts for the police force and the Army Reserve.
Aca,!A"This is something that runs in the family for most of us. Most of us are second-, third- and even fourth-generation police officers and many of you are second-, third- or fourth-generation military as well,Aca,!A? she said. Aca,!A"So this is a great step for all of us to show not only can we work a partnership to protect our country, but to come home and protect our community.Aca,!A?
Signing the agreement on behalf of the Army Reserve, the commander of the 96th Regional Readiness Command, Maj. Gen. Peter S. Cooke told the audience that bringing the Army Reserve and the MPDC together formally was a great honor for those in the Army Reserve.
Guest speaker Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall added: Aca,!A"The type of person that both of us want is a person who is drug-free, honest, knows how to lead, knows how to follow and knows how to serve their state, their city, their district and their military Aca,!" thatAca,!a,,cs what we get in this partnership.Aca,!A?
Col. Vincent Taylor, chief of staff for the 200th Military Police Command, said Reserve Soldiers and police officers will be training together and working side-by-side looking for opportunities to serve each other.
Aca,!A"Most importantly, the reservists will have opportunities to work on the Metro Police Department and the Metro Police Department will have the opportunity to serve with the Army Reserve.Aca,!A?
Sgt. Scott Dignan of the 400th Military Police Battalion was a police officer before joining the Army Reserve, something he said he wanted to do after attending an Armed Forces Day event near the Capitol building a few years ago.
Aca,!A"As a Soldier, the Army teaches you leadership and gives you those skills which I learned in the Army and brought into the police department where IAca,!a,,cm a lieutenant and in charge of the SWAT team,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"I think by tapping into the Army Reserve weAca,!a,,cre going to bring high-quality applicants into the MPD who have the discipline and the seven Army core values. This is definitely a force multiplier for us.Aca,!A?
The first employer partnership program was launched in April with private-sector companies Aca,!" Inova Health Systems, the American Trucking Associations, Con-way Freight and most recently Crowley Auto Group. According to Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, who was unable to attend the entire ceremony, there are another 40 to 50 companies who want to sign partnerships with the Army Reserve. Scheduling details are being worked out, he said.
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