Scoop: D.C. police chief to step down
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
D.C. police chief Pamela Smith took the top job in 2023. Photo: Alex Kent/Bloomberg via Getty Images
D.C.'s police chief is resigning after two and a half years on the job.
The big picture: Pamela Smith became chief during a 26-year high in homicides. Now, crime is down.
Yes, but: Smith found herself in a pressure cooker this past summer when President Trump took over the Metropolitan Police Department and the Justice Department began investigating allegations that her deputies manipulated crime data.
What they're saying: "There comes a time when you just know it's time," Smith tells Axios, citing her 28 years in law enforcement and saying federal heat didn't impact her decision.
Between the lines: It's a quick turn for a D.C. police chief. Cathy Lanier served nine years; Peter Newsham was in the job for four.
Friction points: Some residents are exasperated over what they see as MPD's cooperation with ICE, and have publicly described recent incidents where ICE agents appear to show up at a scene soon after an MPD arrest.
- Smith rejects claims that her officers assist with immigration enforcement.
- "We are not aligned with ICE. We do not, and have not since the crime emergency, worked alongside ICE," Smith says. "[Social media] videos lend one aspect of what you see. If they show up, they show up. They're federal officers."
Meanwhile, both DOJ and House Republicans are investigating whether MPD supervisors misclassified some city crimes to juke the numbers. One police commander was put on leave in May.
- Smith tells Axios the department shared a raft of documents with the House Oversight Committee, including incident reports for nearly two years.
- "I as the chief of police never, would ever say to anyone to alter stats," she says. She declined to say if other MPD personnel are on leave in connection with the investigation.
Trump and the GOP weren't her only problem.
- Smith commands a shrinking police force that has dwindled to under 3,200 officers, some of whom leaked criticism of her management style to the press.
By the numbers: Describing herself as a "pistol packin' preacher," Smith vowed to get officers out of their cars and patrolling on foot to drive down crime when she became MPD chief after a long U.S. Park Police career.
- Today D.C. is on pace for an eight-year low in homicides, which are down 30% so far this compared to 2024, according to police stats.
- Violent crime is currently down 28%, per the data.
What's next: Smith will resign on Dec. 31. The mayor's office plans to name an interim chief shortly.