D.C. police chief Pamela Smith resigns
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith is stepping down, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced, praising Smith for driving down violent crime — including cutting homicides to an eight‑year low — launching a Real‑Time Crime Center and other technology upgrades, and overseeing about a 17% drop in overall crime in the first 10 weeks of 2024. The departure, for which Bowser gave no reason or successor, comes amid reports of pressure tied to former President Trump and an investigation into alleged crime‑data manipulation.
📌 Key Facts
- Mayor Muriel Bowser on Dec. 8, 2025, formally announced that D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith is stepping down and praised her tenure.
- Bowser credited Smith with driving down violent crime, saying homicides were cut to an eight-year low under her leadership.
- City data showed overall crime fell about 17% in the first 10 weeks of 2024; Smith attributed that decline to new laws and targeted deployments.
- During her tenure, Smith launched a Real-Time Crime Center and implemented other technology upgrades.
- Smith imposed temporary youth curfew zones in several parts of the District.
- Bowser did not state a reason for Smith’s departure, did not name a successor, and did not discuss any changes to the city's public-safety strategy.
📰 Sources (2)
Washington's Mayor Bowser says the city's police chief, Pamela Smith, is stepping down
New information:
- 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.