D.C. police chief Pamela Smith resigns
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith is stepping down, praising her for driving down violent crime—including cutting homicides to an eight-year low—launching a Real-Time Crime Center, instituting technology upgrades and temporary youth curfew zones, and noting overall crime fell about 17% in the first 10 weeks of 2024; she did not give a reason, name a successor or outline changes to public-safety strategy. Smith’s resignation comes as a House Oversight Committee interim report alleges she pressured MPD commanders to downgrade offenses and avoid categories on the daily crime report—creating a “culture of fear” with public chastisement and retaliation—and she is expected to remain in her role through year-end despite announcing her Dec. 8 resignation.
📌 Key Facts
- Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Dec. 8 that D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith is stepping down and praised her tenure, crediting her with driving down violent crime and cutting homicides to an eight-year low.
- Bowser highlighted initiatives under Smith, including launching a Real-Time Crime Center, technology upgrades, and temporary youth curfew zones in parts of the District.
- Overall crime fell about 17% in the first 10 weeks of 2024, which Smith attributed to new laws and targeted deployments.
- Bowser did not state a reason for Smith’s departure, did not name a successor, and did not discuss changes to the city’s public-safety strategy.
- Despite the Dec. 8 resignation announcement, Smith is expected to remain in her role through year-end.
- The House Oversight Committee released an interim report alleging Chief Smith pressured MPD commanders to downgrade offenses and avoid categories that appear on the Daily Crime Report to reduce reported crime figures.
- The report cites eight transcribed interviews with MPD district commanders describing a “culture of fear,” public chastisement and retaliation tied to unfavorable crime statistics; one commander (identified as “Commander E”) said he was publicly admonished after a robbery spree.
- MPD did not immediately comment on the House Oversight Committee’s interim report.
📰 Sources (3)
- House Oversight Committee released an interim report alleging Chief Pamela Smith pressured MPD commanders to downgrade offenses and avoid categories that appear on the Daily Crime Report to reduce reported crime figures.
- The report cites eight transcribed interviews with MPD district commanders, describing a 'culture of fear,' public chastisement, and retaliation tied to unfavorable crime statistics.
- A commander quoted as 'Commander E' recounted being publicly admonished after a robbery spree; MPD did not immediately comment.
- Smith is expected to remain in her role through year-end despite her Dec. 8 resignation announcement.
- Mayor Muriel Bowser formally announced Chief Pamela Smith is stepping down and praised her tenure.
- Bowser credited Smith with driving down violent crime, including cutting homicides to an eight-year low.
- Smith launched a Real-Time Crime Center and technology upgrades, per the mayor.
- Overall crime fell about 17% in the first 10 weeks of 2024, which Smith attributed to new laws and targeted deployments.
- Smith imposed temporary youth curfew zones in several parts of the District.
- Bowser did not state a reason for Smith’s departure and did not name a successor or discuss changes to public-safety strategy.