On a relatively calm Monday afternoon in the nation's capital, a situation unfolded that required the intervention of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) at the United States Institute of Peace. The MPD, alerted by the United States Attorney's Office, responded to an unusual call at the USIP headquartered on Constitution Avenue. After the USAO reached out at about 4 p.m. on March 17, law enforcement swiftly coordinated with the USIP personnel to address the matter. In a public statement by the MPD, it was outlined that a person or persons were defying orders to vacate the premises, as instructed by the acting USIP President.
Acting with the information the USAO had given them, MPD officers were given details to directly communicate with the acting USIP president. The president was stated to have presented officials with documentation affirming his authority, a move preempting any dispute over his directives. As advised by the MPD's release, the refusal of the intruders to leave the facility or allow access to the acting president breached the peaceful aura that typically envelops an institution dedicated to conflict resolution. Upon arrival, police were granted entry by an individual, seemingly unconnected to the standoff, and made contact with the unauthorized visitors inside the building.
During the intervention, it is reported that the acting President had a straightforward request for those unauthorized to leave the premises. In what could have escalated into a contentious standoff, the visitors complied, filing out of the USIP without further incident. The MPD acknowledged this peaceful resolution in their statement: "Eventually, all the unauthorized individuals inside of the building complied with the acting USIP President’s request and left the building without further incident, and no arrests were made." It is a testament to the MPD's deft handling of a delicate situation, embodying the very principles of peace the USIP stands for.
No charges or arrests marked the event's conclusion, with resolution rather than conflict characterizing the day's outcome. Although details surrounding the motives of the unauthorized individuals remain unclear, the incident was resolved in a manner befitting the very mission of the USIP - to promote peaceful resolutions over conflict. The Metropolitan Police Department has not provided further details on what prompted the individuals to remain inside the building but confirmed that the incident was handled without escalating into violence or arrests.
