On April 1, 2015, the Metropolitan Police Department ceased the issuance of Media Passes.
MPD began issuing media passes decades ago for the purpose of providing members of the media with access to areas involving police activity, and more recently, access to controlled areas where First Amendment demonstrations were taking place. At the time those needs furthered the interests of this agency, in providing the media with the ability to gain access to controlled locations to better report and share specific scene related information with the public.
However, our current policy provides for members of the media to be afforded the same access to events and incidents as members of the public, so long as that access does not pose a safety hazard or jeopardize an investigation. The issuance of media passes by the Metropolitan Police Department is no longer necessary. While we realize that specific pre-planned special events may require particular exemptions to this policy, it is in the best interests of MPD to discontinue issuing general media passes.
I trust that even without media passes, our relationship with the media and the release of information, regardless of format, will continue to be mutually beneficial.
Should you have any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact a member of the Public Information Office at (202) 727-4383, or via email at [email protected].
Contact the Office of Communications // Public Information Office
Metropolitan Police Department
Public Information Office
300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 5126
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-4383
Email: [email protected]