In December 2025, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief
Pamela Smith announced her resignation following a congressional investigation that accused her and top leadership of deliberately manipulating crime data to make Washington, D.C. appear safer.
Here are the key details regarding the scandal:
Key Findings of the Crime Data Cover-Up
- Deliberate Manipulation: A House Oversight Committee report alleged that Chief Smith pressured subordinates to misclassify crimes, fostered a toxic culture, and prioritized low statistics "by any means necessary".
- Misclassified Crimes: Investigations revealed that violent crimes, such as felony assaults with dangerous weapons, were frequently downgraded to "simple assaults" (misdemeanors) to keep violent crime numbers artificially low.
- Retaliation: Commanders who reported accurate, higher crime numbers were reportedly punished or removed.
- Widespread Pressure: The investigation found pressure to lower stats came from the top, impacting all seven of D.C.'s patrol districts.
The Resignation and Aftermath
- Resignation: Pamela Smith announced on December 8, 2025, that she would step down at the end of the month, officially citing personal reasons, though the timing coincided with the scandal.