Police Complaints Board Releases Report on Window Tint Enforcement

(Washington, DC) – The District of Columbia Police Complaints Board (PCB), the governing body of the Office of Police Complaints (OPC), released a report to Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Council of the District of Columbia, and Interim Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Jeffery W. Carroll examining MPD’s enforcement of the District’s vehicle window tint laws.

District law permits vehicle windows to be tinted within certain limits, and MPD policy requires officers to use an approved tint meter to determine whether the tint violates the law. The report examines cases in which officers stopped motorists or issued tickets without measuring the tint. It also found that officers incorrectly informed motorists that front windshields cannot contain any tint.

OPC has received numerous complaints involving improper window tint enforcement by MPD officers. In several cases, officers cited window tint as the reason for the stop but then investigated suspected weapons or drugs without investigating the tint. These practices can result in unnecessary stops, inconsistent enforcement and a greater impact on communities that have historically experienced more frequent police contact.

To promote fair and consistent enforcement, the PCB recommends that MPD:

• Direct officers not to initiate stops based primarily on suspected window tint unless they have the proper equipment and training.
   
• Correct training materials, internal guidance, and public-facing information to accurately reflect District law regarding windshield tint.
   
• Clarify that officers must issue the appropriate Notice of Infraction or written warning when measurements confirm a tint violation.
   
• Regularly review window tint stops to identify possible patterns of biased policing.

“Window tint enforcement must be based on the law and supported by proper training and equipment,” said Marke D. Cross, OPC’s executive director. “Clear guidance will help officers apply the law consistently, reduce unnecessary police contact, and strengthen public confidence.”

For more information or to view the full report, visit www.policecomplaints.dc.gov.