Council approves first-reading of PeaceDC omnibus with education and pretrial provisions; transit citation language removed

The Council of the District of Columbia approved on first reading Bill 20‑6‑187, the Metropolitan Police Department Training Academy College Credit Opportunity Amendment Act of 2025 (also called the PeaceDC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025), after adopting amendments that change how MPD training credits are recognized and removing language that would have granted special police officers on WMATA authority to issue civil citations.

The bill, sponsored in committee by Councilmember Pinto, is intended to address four categories described by Pinto: empowering young people, preventing violence, supporting public-safety workforces and reducing recidivism. Council members debated amendments that would (1) allow a limited portion of MPD training academy credits to be certified by an accredited university and (2) remove a provision that would have expanded citation authority for WMATA special police officers (SPOs).

The MPD-credit amendment, moved by Councilmember Lewis George and described during debate as permitting up to 20 credits of the 60-credit requirement to be certified…