Local Police Department at Odds Before Trump Inauguration
On Monday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.
This inauguration was like a duck on the pond… everything seemed cool on the surface, but underneath, there were some very serious issues most people did not even hear about.
At the top of that list was a snafu that could have been disastrous, especially if Trump’s inauguration had been held outside.
No Cooperation
Late last week, reports started to surface that some local police departments that would usually be used to support the inauguration were not going to be helping the Metropolitan PD.
According to recent reports, roughly half a dozen local police departments that would usually provide support for the inauguration would not be pitching in this time around.
The root of the problem is allegedly a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the departments.
The Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland confirmed, “I was just told that based on the current MOU, we will not be assisting Metro PD.”
Howard and Queen Anne’s County police departments, also from Maryland, confirmed they were out as well.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland State Police, and Prince George’s County would offer assistance, but only to the Capitol Police, not the Metropolitan PD, so there is clearly a rift here.
The Metropolitan PD responded, “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is working closely with our local, state, and federal partners as we prepare for the 60th Presidential Inauguration.
“As with any other events in the District, it is our priority to ensure the safety and security of District residents and visitors.”
There are two things that will help alleviate this problem.
First, there is the fact that the Trump inauguration was moved inside due to extreme weather, which is actually a blessing for Trump.
Second, the Secret Service, which has been under fire since the assassination attempt, got the memo, stating, “We have a slightly more robust security plan. We’ve been planning for this event for 12 months.”
All in, there are expected to be about 25,000 personnel on the ground, which includes military personnel brought in specifically to ensure the safety of Trump and spectators during the inauguration.
