Metropolitan Police Department, also known as MPDC, is a part of the District of Columbia, which offers a range of municipal and administrative services. Founded in 1861, the Metropolitan Police Department is a public safety agency that provides a variety of law enforcement services. The department is one of the largest local police agencies in the United States. It offers crime prevention, record maintenance, and case registration and investigation services. The department maintains domestic violence, special liaison and firearms registration units. It operates corporate support, school security and patrol services bureaus. Metropolitan Police Department additionally has testing and assessment and research and analysis divisions.