Meet a DC police officer who makes Forest Hills Park one of his daily stops

MPD Officer Michael Jankowski in his patrol car by Forest Hills Park.

by Marlene Berlin

Most afternoons or evenings since the beginning of June, DC police officers have been spending time at Forest Hills Park. That’s at the direction of MPD Lt. Bobbette Williams Public Service, who oversees the policing of the Second District’s Public Service Area 203.

“The Forest Hills Park was placed on my special attention list based on the times that it was brought to my attention that suspicious activities were occurring,” Williams told Forest Hills Connection.

MPD Officer Michael Jankowski is there the most.

“Officer Jankowski and other PSA 203 members were instructed to give the area special attention when they were not on assignment, especially between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.,” Williams said.

When I met Officer Jankowski recently, it was a quiet evening. I approached his patrol car, which was parked on Chesapeake Street, and tapped on the window. He introduced himself and told me he’s there daily to see what’s happening in the park.

Jankowski has been working in the Second District for the last 17 years, the first 15 on the night shift. PSA 203 is a recent assignment. He said he spends the majority of his time responding to 911 calls.

He also told me he came to this country from Poland with his family when he was 12. They settled in New Jersey, near New York City. Jankowski got to DC by applying to police departments of major cities along the East Coast.

“DC was very efficient and the process was shorter,” he explained to me. He joined the force in 2009.

Officer Jankowski now works 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. shifts, which get him home to Clarke County, Virginia, around midnight.

He lives there with his wife and their three potbelly pigs. Izzy is the oldest, GiGi is the spoiled princess, and Charlie loves everyone, he said.

Officer Jankowski and his wife have three potbelly pigs. (photos courtesy of Michael Jankowski)

Jankowski recommends an old classic, “Charlotte’s Web,” to better understand how smart and interesting pigs are.

He also wants residents to know that he welcomes people approaching him, as I did, to chat or tell him what they are seeing in the park.

If he or another officer are not there and a resident wants to report drinking, smoking or other activities that are against the rules of the park, they can call 911 or contact Lt. Bobbette Williams at 202-815-2145 (cell) or bobbette.williams@dc.gov.