The Republican-led House Oversight Committee released a report alleging former MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data and fostered a retaliatory workplace culture. Smith has denied the claims and recently resigned. The committee urged Mayor Muriel Bowser to appoint an independent police chief, while MPD data cited in the report show notable declines in violent crime and homicides since 2023. The U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating the matter.
House Oversight Report Accuses Former D.C. Police Chief of Pressuring Officers to Manipulate Crime Data
Chief Pamela A. Smith of the DC Metropolitan Police Department at a news conference on January 6, 2021. - Daniel Heuer/AFP/Getty Images/File
A Republican-led House Oversight Committee report alleges that former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela A. Smith pressured officers and commanders to alter crime statistics to portray Washington, D.C., as safer than it was. The committee says multiple current district commanders told investigators they faced retaliation — including demotions and reassignments — after resisting pressure to skew data.
Key Findings
The report, released Sunday, contends that Smith fostered what investigators described as an "ecosystem of fear, retaliation, and toxicity" and applied "intense pressure on district commanders to produce low crime statistics by any means necessary." The committee cites interviews with current MPD personnel as the basis for its findings.
Resignation and Denial
Appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2023, Smith announced last week that she would step down. She has strongly denied the allegations. In a local television interview she said:
"I have never and will never authorize or even support any thought processes or activities in regards to crime numbers being manipulated."The MPD did not immediately comment to CNN about the committee’s report.
Federal Actions and Investigations
The report follows President Donald Trump’s decision in August to declare a public safety emergency in D.C., deploy National Guard troops, and place the police department "under direct federal control" for 30 days. CNN has also reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether the MPD manipulated crime data.
Crime Data and Trends
Independent MPD statistics cited in the report show declines in violent crime following a 2023 spike: homicides fell from 274 in 2023 to 187 in 2024 (a 32% drop), with a further 12% decline through August of the following year. As of December 12, MPD data indicated violent crime was down 28% year to date from 2024. Reported carjackings dropped from 959 in 2023 to roughly 500 in 2024.
Recommendations and Local Response
The House Oversight Committee recommended that Mayor Bowser appoint an independent police chief to restore transparency and improve morale within the force. Mayor Bowser defended the department’s recent record in a statement to CNN, crediting MPD personnel and Chief Smith’s leadership for the documented declines in crime and expressing gratitude for Smith’s service.
What Comes Next
The allegations in the committee report are serious but remain disputed. Ongoing inquiries, including the Justice Department’s probe, could clarify whether data were manipulated and whether personnel actions violated policy or law. Officials and the public will likely await further findings before drawing final conclusions.
