Chapter 10. Trial Boards.

Subchapter I. General.

§ 5–1001. Attendance of witnesses — Issuance of subpoenas; fees.

Any trial board of the Metropolitan Police force or the Fire Department of the District of Columbia shall have the power to issue subpoenas in the name of the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to compel witnesses to appear and testify and/or to produce all books, records, papers or documents before said trial board; provided, that witnesses other than those employed by the District of Columbia subpoenaed to appear before said trial board shall be entitled to the same fees as are paid witnesses for attendance before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, but said fees need not be tendered said witnesses in advance of their appearing and testifying and/or producing books, records, papers or documents before said trial board.

(May 11, 1892, 27 Stat. 29, ch. 65, § 1; Feb. 20, 1896, 29 Stat. 10, ch. 25, § 1; Apr. 16, 1932, 47 Stat. 86, ch. 118, § 1; June 25, 1936, 49 Stat. 1921, ch. 804; June 25, 1948, 62 Stat. 991, ch. 646, § 32(a), (b); May 24, 1949, 63 Stat. 107, ch. 139, § 127; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 571, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 155(c)(14)(A).)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 4-801.

1973 Ed., § 4-601.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 1-632.03, § 5-1002, § 5-1003, and § 6-902.

Cross References

Insanitary buildings, condemnation, condemnation review board, see § 6-902.

Merit system, Application to police officers and firefighters, see § 1-632.03.

§ 5–1002. Attendance of witnesses — Wilful false swearing.

Any wilful false swearing on the part of any witness before any trial board mentioned in § 5-1001 as to any material fact shall be deemed perjury and shall be punished in the manner prescribed by law for such offense.

§ 5–1003. Attendance of witnesses — Neglect or refusal to obey subpoena.

If any witness, having been personally summoned, shall neglect or refuse to obey the subpoena issued in § 5-1001, then in that event the chairman of the trial board may report that fact to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or 1 of the judges thereof and said Court, or any judge thereof, is empowered to compel obedience to said subpoena to the same extent as witnesses may be compelled to obey the subpoenas of that Court.

(May 11, 1892, 27 Stat. 29, ch. 65, § 3; Feb. 20, 1896, 29 Stat. 10, ch. 25, § 3; Apr. 16, 1932, 47 Stat. 87, ch. 118, § 2; June 25, 1936, 49 Stat. 1921, ch. 804; June 25, 1948, 62 Stat. 991, ch. 646, § 32(a), (b); May 24, 1949, 63 Stat. 107, ch. 139, § 127; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 571, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 155(c)(14)(B).)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 4-803.

1973 Ed., § 4-603.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 6-902.

Cross References

Insanitary buildings, condemnation, condemnation review board, see § 6-902.

Investigations and examinations, see § 5-1021.

Merit system, application to police officers and firefighters, see § 1-632.03.

Subchapter II. Oaths.

§ 5–1011. Oath of members.

Each member of the trial boards shall take an oath to be administered by the Chief Clerk of the Police Department for the faithful and impartial performance of the duties of the office.

(Apr. 16, 1932, 47 Stat. 87, ch. 118, § 4.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 4-804.

1973 Ed., § 4-604.

Transfer of Functions

Reorganization Order No. 46 of the Board of Commissioners, dated June 26, 1953, established in the Metropolitan Police Department the Chief Clerk’s section. The Order set forth the functions of the Chief Clerk’s section and abolished the previously existing office. This Order was issued pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1952. Reorganization Order No. 46 was replaced by Organization Order No. 153, dated November 10, 1966. Organization Order No. 8, dated April 18, 1968, revoked Organization Order No. 153 to the extent the same was inconsistent with Organization Order No. 8. Commissioner’s Order No. 69-614, dated November 13, 1969, provided in part that the Metropolitan Police Department shall continue in existence, headed by a Chief of Police who shall be responsible for the functions of said Department as previously established and constituted by Organization Order No. 153, as amended.

Subchapter III. Investigations of Municipal Matters.

§ 5–1021. Investigations of municipal matters; authority to administer oaths.

After July 1, 1902, the several provisions of subchapter I of this chapter shall be applicable to and enforceable in any investigation or examination of any municipal matter by the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and the Council of the District of Columbia with respect to functions transferred to it by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967, as well as to the proceedings before the trial boards named in that subchapter; and said Mayor and each member of the Council are hereby authorized to administer oaths to witnesses summoned in any such investigation or examination aforesaid.