DC Police leave for Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief

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A group of D.C. police officers are heading to Puerto Rico this morning to help with recovery efforts after the island suffered major damage from Hurricane Maria earlier this month.

The officers gathered supplies together and prayed early Wednesday at the D.C. Police Training Academy before heading over to Joint Base Andrews where they boarded a plane around 10 a.m.

Members of the 113th Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard will escort the officers to San Juan.

Hurricane Maria tore up the island when it hit on Sept. 20, killing at least 16 people and leaving nearly all 3.4 million people without power and most without water.

FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick spoke with some of the officers Wednesday morning before they left. They told her the mission gave them a sense of pride.

Once there, the officers will be on a three day mission and will assist other officers.