WASHINGTON — The DC Council unaninmously approved DC Police's current acting chief to become the official head of the department, making Pamela Smith the first Black woman to hold the position.
Before being nominated as the District's law enforcement leader, Smith served as Assistant Chief of the Homeland Security Bureau (HSB), which includes the Special Operations Division and the Joint Strategic & Tactical Analysis Command Center. Before taking her current post, Smith served as the MPD's Chief Equity Officer (CEO), leading the department's efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI.)
"I am confident that with my experiences, both outside and inside of MPD, I bring a fresh perspective, a different kind of energy, a different level of passion to what I am going to do," Smith said in July, when Mayor Muriel Bowser nominated her.
Prior to joining the Metropolitan Police Department in May 2022, Smith served as a United States Park Police officer for 24 years. She began her law enforcement career in 1998, serving in field offices across the country (New York, San Francisco, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.) She was promoted to sergeant in 2009 and continued to move up the ranks until being appointed to the position of Chief of Police, US Park Police in February 2021.
“When we asked the community, in the spring, what they wanted to see in their next Chief of Police, we heard loud and clear that they wanted someone who could advocate for a better policy environment while leading MPD and engaging residents," Bowser said Tuesday after Smith was confirmed. "Our community understands the urgency to both drive down crime and build up MPD. Chief Smith hit the ground running in July, sharing her story and vision, making sure she was accessible to residents and businesses, and prioritizing common-sense solutions to long-standing challenges. We have work to do, and I am proud to have Chief Smith at the helm of MPD as we continue engaging and working with community stakeholders and our partners on the Council and in the criminal justice system.”
As she officially takes the helm, an uptick in violence is top of mind for the people she's tasked with protecting. Smith is facing a 20+ year high in homicides, a 40% increase in violent crime, and double the carjackings from the same time last year.
In one Northeast neighborhood, residents have stated taking matters into their own hands, by posting crime alert signs and updates on what is happening in the area, including shootings, carjackings and thefts.
"In her time already leading the department, [Smith] has launched efforts that are already showing progress including a crime suppression unit, robbery task force and a traffic safety compliance check point program," Councilmember Brooke Pinto said of why she voted to confirm Smith.
At a public roundtable hosted by the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee in September, Smith claimed the city has seen some reductions in crime since she started serving in her new role.
“I will say give us a little time. I’ve been in this seat for two months, and I think we’re moving as an agency in the right direction when it comes to crime fighting, when it comes to the collaborative relationships we’re strengthening," she said at that September roundtable.
Most neighbors who testified during the roundtable expressed support for her confirmation.
"She's been tirelessly at meetings east of the Anacostia River in the community engaging and talking to residents," Ron Williams Jr. said.
There were a few voices of dissent, however.
"I'm here not to ask you to confirm Muriel Bowser's choice for chief of police. When crime is at 20-year high, she chooses a park ranger when we need a marine general at war," Brian Mulholland of the Mulholland Family Foundation said.
The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee did vote to recommend Acting Chief Smith, saying she understands four key areas:
- Reducing crime through strategic policing and a whole of government approach
- Increasing community trust through community policing
- Improving recruitment and retention of officers
- Accountability and transparency
Smith said she wants to focus on strengthening relationships with communities, like church communities. She has said from the beginning that she's a preacher, and she wants to leverage that.
“We must be the change that’s going to take place in our communities, because to whom much is given, much is required. The community has invested in us. That’s why we’re here, and they’re looking for a return on their investment," she said at a Faith and Blue event in October.
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