Senior DC Police Leaders Face Firing After Federal Crime Data Probe
On or before May 5, 2026, senior District of Columbia police leaders face possible firing after a federal probe found the department misclassified crimes, making reported statistics appear artificially lower.
The federal probe reviewed nearly 6,000 incident reports and recommended discipline for three officials, including potential termination. Assistant Chief LaShay Makal and Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy were placed on administrative leave. DC Police Union President Gregg Pemberton said serving termination papers was appropriate because the manipulation "eroded trust and endangered public safety."
The episode traces back to a 2020 whistleblower lawsuit by Sergeant Charlotte Djossou, who said commanders routinely downgraded violent crimes and retaliated against complaints. Mayor Muriel Bowser named Pamela A. Smith police chief in July 2023 amid a crime surge that included 274 homicides that year. The city later recorded a 29% drop in violent crime in 2025 versus 2024, even as a settlement in August 2025 and subsequent demands for records led the House Oversight Committee and the Justice Department to issue reports in December 2025 alleging widespread misclassification.
Early coverage highlighted MPD's reported crime declines. Newer federal and congressional findings, though, showed those numbers were likely inflated by misclassified reports. Social-media posts and some lawmakers have claimed broader firings, but official actions so far list two senior commanders on leave and three officials recommended for discipline while investigations continue.
A draft DOJ report revealed that approximately 33% of aggravated assault reports reviewed were misclassified by the Metropolitan Police Department, raising serious concerns about the integrity of crime statistics in Washington, D.C. This manipulation has been linked to a coercive culture within the department, as noted in a 2025 report from the House Oversight Committee, which highlighted retaliatory measures against commanders who reported crime spikes. Such practices not only distort public perception of safety but also contribute to a broader collapse of trust in law enforcement institutions, as emphasized by various commentators on social media.
While some lawmakers, including @RepJamesComer, have claimed that 13 D.C. Police officials were terminated as a result of these findings, Interim Police Chief Jeff Carroll has countered that no firings have occurred yet, creating confusion about accountability measures. This discord reflects a growing tension between the need for transparency and the political pressures surrounding crime management in the capital, as highlighted by observers who call for comprehensive reforms to restore public confidence in policing.
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📊 Relevant Data
A draft DOJ report found that about 33% of 191 reviewed aggravated assault reports were misclassified by the Metropolitan Police Department. ([NBC Washington](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/justice-department-to-release-findings-on-whether-dc-police-manipulated-crime-data/4027873)) ([NBC Washington](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/justice-department-to-release-findings-on-whether-dc-police-manipulated-crime-data/4027873)) ([NBC Washington](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/justice-department-to-release-findings-on-whether-dc-police-manipulated-crime-data/4027873))
Draft DOJ report accuses DC police of manipulating crime data — NBC Washington
In 2023, Washington, D.C. recorded 274 homicides, the highest number in 20 years. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Washington,_D.C.)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Washington,_D.C.)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Washington,_D.C.))
Crime in Washington, D.C. — Wikipedia
Official data indicates that violent crime in Washington, D.C. decreased by 29% in 2025 compared to 2024. ([U.S. Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/violent-crime-dc-hits-30-year-low)) ([U.S. Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/violent-crime-dc-hits-30-year-low)) ([U.S. Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/violent-crime-dc-hits-30-year-low))
District of Columbia | Violent Crime in D.C. Hits 30 Year Low — U.S. Department of Justice
📌 Key Facts
- A federal investigation reviewing nearly 6,000 incident reports found the DC Metropolitan Police Department misclassified crimes, making statistics appear "artificially lower."
- On or before May 5, 2026, Assistant Chief LaShay Makal and Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy were placed on administrative leave, and three officials total were recommended for discipline, including possible termination.
- Two federal reports issued in late 2025 by the Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee detailed alleged pressure from former Chief Pamela Smith to understate crime, including retaliatory transfers of commanders.
- DC Police Union President Gregg Pemberton publicly supported serving termination papers, saying the manipulation eroded trust and endangered public safety.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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