Washington DC Police Chief Pamela Smith resigns after two years, mayor announces

WASHINGTON, DC: Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith announced on Sunday, December 7, that she will step down from her post at the end of the year, ending a brief but reportedly turbulent tenure.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office confirmed the resignation, stating that Smith’s last day will be December 31.

Smith, who served just about two and a half years in the role, told Axios that her decision was personal rather than political.

Departure follows ‘pressure cooker’ summer amid strains

"There comes a time when you just know it’s time," Smith said, referencing her 28 years in law enforcement.

She elaborated on her reasoning in an interview with Fox 5, describing the choice as "tough" but necessary after a reflective Thanksgiving.

"I have been going nonstop. I have missed many amazing celebrations, birthdays, marriages, you name it, within our family," Smith said. "And being able to come home for Thanksgiving two years after my mum passed really resonated with me."

Smith’s departure comes after what observers described as a "pressure cooker" summer.

The chief explicitly denied that her resignation was related to President Trump’s recent move to deploy National Guard troops to the city or the federal government's increased oversight of the MPD.

Also, the Justice Department and House Republicans are currently investigating whether MPD supervisors manipulated crime data to make the numbers look more favorable.

One police commander was put on leave in May in connection with the probe.

"I as the chief of police never, would ever say to anyone to alter stats," Smith told Axios.

She confirmed that the department has shared incident reports from nearly two years with the House Oversight Committee, but declined to say if other personnel face discipline.

Tensions over alleged ICE cooperation

Smith also faced criticism from residents exasperated by what they perceived as MPD’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Locals have reported incidents where ICE agents appeared at scenes shortly after MPD arrests, despite the city's sanctuary policies.

"We are not aligned with ICE. We do not, and have not since the crime emergency, worked alongside ICE," Smith asserted.

"[Social media] videos lend one aspect of what you see. If they show up, they show up. They're federal officers," she added. 

Pamela Smith leaves DC safer despite controversies and criticisms

Despite the controversies, Smith, who reportedly described herself as a "pistol packin' preacher," leaves behind a city that is statistically safer than when she arrived.

Smith reportedly took over during a 26-year high in homicides. Today, the city is on pace for an eight-year low, with homicides down 30% compared to 2024. Violent crime overall has also dropped 28% according to police data.

Also, she achieved these results with a diminishing workforce. The MPD has dwindled to under 3,200 officers, some of whom have allegedly leaked criticisms of her management style to the press.

Her departure marks a notably quick turnover for a DC police chief; her predecessor Peter Newsham, served four years, while Cathy Lanier served nine.

The Mayor's office is expected to name an interim chief shortly.