Pamela A. Smith, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, is stepping down from her position leading the force, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser announced Monday morning.
In a statement, Bowser (D) praised Smith’s service.
“Chief Smith dramatically drove down violent crime, drove down the homicide rate to its lowest levels in eight years, and helped us restore a sense of safety and accountability in our neighborhoods,” she said. Bowser’s statement did not offer any information about why Smith was stepping down nor did it provide a timeline for the nomination of her successor.
In an interview with Fox 5 Monday morning, Smith said she resigned to spend more time with her family. “After 28 years in law enforcement,” she said, “I have been going nonstop.”
Asked whether her decision had been influenced by the increased presence of federal troops in Washington, Smith said it had not.
“We met some challenges in August of this year with the federal surge and the executive order with regards to the crime emergency,” she said. “But what I will say, is that Mayor Muriel Bowser did a fantastic job leading us through those efforts.”
In an email to officers obtained by The Washington Post, Smith said she was reflecting on the agency’s recent accomplishments as she prepared to step down and thanked colleagues for their hard work.
“Serving alongside such dedicated professionals, both those on the front lines and those working tirelessly behind the scenes, has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” she wrote.
Bowser appointed Smith to the role in 2023, when she became the second woman and first Black woman to permanently run the agency. She previously spent 24 years with the U.S. Park Police, including one year as its chief.
Emily Davies contributed reporting.
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