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DC Police vehicles totaled after officers engage in drag race, Internet says 'that's why they keep murdering'

The four officers were sent to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident in the city's Kenilworth neighborhood on Thursday

At least four Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were placed on leave after their alleged involvement in a drag race last week that resulted in two totaled vehicles and damage to a residence in Washington, DC.

The four officers were sent to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident in the city's Kenilworth neighborhood on Thursday, The Hill reported.

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An internal email obtained by Fox 5 DC, which first reported on the crashes, saw MPD's 6th district commander, Durriyyah Habeebullah, address the race and subsequent crashes that occurred around 5 pm.

"Yesterday two 6D scout cars were totaled because officers decided instead of fighting crime, patrolling their beats, or engaging the community — they decided to drag race each other on Anacostia Avenue at 5 pm in the evening," the commander wrote on Friday. "What does this say to all the members of MPD who are passionate about their job and work hard every day to make a difference. This is not fair to any of us," she added.

MPD officials confirmed the Fox 5 report in a statement to The Hill on Monday.

"MPD is currently investigating an incident in which two MPD vehicles were involved in a traffic accident on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in the 1400 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE. Preliminarily, it appears the members may have been racing the vehicles, resulting in an accident," an MPD spokesperson said in the statement. "Four Sixth District MPD members were taken to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The members involved have been placed on non-contact for the course of the investigation," they added.

A video obtained by Fox 5 DC shows two wrecked squad vehicles. Another photo shared on Twitter shows damage to a fence caused by one of the cars.

Netizens appeared to lash out against law enforcement and demanded accountability, with some noting how the officers had "placed the public at risk."

"Feel like we deserve a toxicology report on them, since the result of those are the narrative everyone goes with whenever something looks hectic," one tweeted.

"They gonna reimburse taxpayers!? This is why police are killing people around the country. WEAK-MINDED individuals who are granted entry into the force. Keep giving them a badge, a gun, and immunity and they’ll keep murdering instead of serving and protecting," another ranted.

"This is why police budgets need to be restreamed into community services. They are overbloated, overentitled, completely forgotten their oath to protect & service. @MayorOfLA Take a clue. No billions to LAPD. We need affordable housing in the cities and living wages, more jobs," a third chimed in.

"@DCPoliceDept IMHO all the officers involved should have been fired on the spot by the Chief of Police. There is absolutely no excuse for this. They placed the public at risk and cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. Does anyone trust their judgment now?" another wrote.