New DC chief of police announced

WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser nominated Pamela A. Smith to become D.C.’s next chief of police on Monday. 

She is the first Black female police chief in the Metropolitan Police Department's history. 

"I truly believe in the crime-fighting strategies that we have here in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department," Smith said during her opening remarks. "One of the things that we will continue to do is enhance our traffic safety compliance checkpoints. We will redeploy our offices in areas where we have high crime areas. We will re-focus our recruitment efforts, and we will also look at ensuring that we are highly visible in our communities. As a law enforcement officer and a member of this community, I am also troubled by the crime that is plaguing this city, which is why it is important for me to be engaged in wanting to make the District of Columbia safer."

Smith is being nominated from within the department after the mayor’s team embarked on a national search this past spring.

The Arkansas native shared how she grew up with parents addicted to drugs, having to enter the foster care system, and later reconnecting with her mother. She also spoke to becoming an ordained minister in 2004 – and later an ordained youth pastor.

Smith came to the MPD after 24 years of rising through the ranks in different positions all across the country. She became chief of the U.S. Park Police in February 2021, but reports say she left abruptly and with no reason given after only about a year at the helm.

An Inspector General report during her time as U.S. Park Police chief noted serious safety concerns that did not develop overnight. However, those concerns included Park Police’s D.C. Dispatch Center having issues like outdated phone equipment, mold, leaks, and bird droppings on computer equipment because of holes on roofs.

Smith joined MPD last year, becoming the department’s first chief equity officer. FOX 5 has learned she was tasked with focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the department. This past April, she was promoted to assistant chief of police in MPD’s Homeland Security Bureau.

"Pamela Smith is becoming the Chief at an incredibly difficult time. The MPD faces a staffing crisis, crime has increased exponentially, and the city is becoming unsafe," said DC Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton in a statement. "We know the Chief Smith has the credentials and the experience to stand up to the detrimental policies that have been enacted by the City Council. Our members are confident that, with Mayor Bowser’s strong leadership on crime, Chief Smith can help move the city in a direction where we have a well-staffed police department and a safe city for all."

FOX 5 asked Smith the first thing she wants to do as chief. 

"Drive down crime," she said. 

"She has experience within the Metropolitan D.C. Police Department, which has always been important to me in thinking about the next chief, as somebody who understands D.C. residents," said D.C. Council Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair, Brooke Pinto, "I think that experience, coupled with the fact that she has worked in a diversity of jurisdictions both in other departments across the country and also leading the national park service, really helps create a unique opportunity to have a set of fresh eyes …"

Smith also spoke about youth committing crimes in the city. 

"I think that we have to have an all-government approach in order to deal with our young people, our juveniles. We need to ensure – I think there are a lot of programs out there – our parks and recreation programs – but I also think that there also has to be some accountability for the parents," Smith said. "I think that’s the part that we’re missing. Being able to really reach out, engage the parents just a little bit more to ensure we can really build a good legion of leaders here with our juveniles in the District of Columbia."

When asked about her leadership style, the 55-year-old used the word "transformational." 

She joins the department at a tumultuous time for the city, where homicides are up 18% from this time last year with the city recording at least 133 homicides so far, according to police records. 

Smith's appointment comes about two months after the retirement of former D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee in May. Ashan Benedict served as the interim police chief while the city searched for a permanent replacement. 

In June, Bowser launched a survey to gather input from the community on what the next police chief's priorities should be. 

Next, a confirmation hearing will have to take place.

"I'll be holding a hearing this fall, so the community can weigh in and learn more about Acting Chief Smith’s approach to addressing crime and violence and her vision for MPD," tweeted Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair, Brooke Pinto.

Read the full D.C. Police Union statement below: