James Comer is Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. | https://oversight.house.gov/chairman-james-comer/
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has released an interim staff report alleging that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela A. Smith pressured commanders to manipulate crime data in Washington, D.C. The report is based on transcribed interviews with all seven D.C. patrol district commanders and one former commander currently on suspended leave.
According to the committee, testimony from the commanders describes a workplace under Chief Smith marked by fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation. These conditions reportedly led to declining morale within the department and contributed to the loss of experienced officers.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) commented on the findings: “Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital. Testimony from experienced and courageous MPD commanders has exposed the truth: Chief Pamela Smith coerced staff to report artificially low crime data and cultivated a culture of fear to achieve her agenda. Chief Smith’s decision to mislead the public by manipulating crime statistics is dangerous and undermines trust in both local leadership and law enforcement. Her planned resignation at the end of the month should not be seen as a voluntary choice, but as an inevitable consequence that should have occurred much earlier. Chief Smith should resign today. The House Oversight Committee is delivering on its responsibility to conduct robust oversight over D.C. and will continue its work to ensure crime data is accurately reported to the public.”
The Oversight Committee began its investigation on August 25, 2025, after receiving whistleblower disclosures suggesting widespread manipulation of MPD crime data under Chief Smith's direction. Following eight interviews with senior law enforcement officials conducted by committee staffers, Chief Smith announced her resignation effective December 8, 2025.
Key findings from the report include allegations that Chief Smith prioritized lowering publicly reported crime numbers over reducing actual crime levels in Washington, D.C., placing significant pressure on district commanders for favorable statistics regardless of underlying trends. Commanders stated that lesser charges—which are not publicly reported—were used more frequently under instruction from leadership.
The report also notes that President Trump issued Executive Order 14333 on August 14, 2025, declaring a "Crime Emergency" in Washington D.C., placing MPD under control of the U.S. Attorney General and deploying National Guard personnel for support operations in conjunction with local police efforts.
Additionally, testimony included claims that officers who attempted to accurately report rising crime rates faced retaliation through transfers or demotions initiated by Chief Smith or her office.
The committee expressed concerns that manipulations involving new intermediary categories for crimes may continue even after Chief Smith's departure from MPD leadership.
As part of its recommendations moving forward, members urged Mayor Muriel Bowser to appoint a new police chief committed both to transparent reporting practices and improving internal departmental culture.
