The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is losing a significant number of members over the force’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement, according to MPD Chief Robert Contee.
Contee’s remarks came during a budget oversight hearing at the DC Council on Wednesday, March 30.
The police chief stated that approximately three or four qualified recruits leave MPD every month after they refuse to get vaccinated.
It is mandatory for all employees of the DC government, including police, to receive two doses of either the Moderna or BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, except for the cases of religious or medical exemptions.
“If you are refusing to be vaccinated, you can be the best candidate in the world but to join the ranks of the Metropolitan Police Department, we have to say no,” Contee said.
“We are talking about people from all around the country who have different perspectives, and some of those perspectives do not necessarily align with our values here in the city. And I would say quite honestly that’s not necessarily a loss to us. It’s unfortunate but it’s not necessarily a loss,” he added.