D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith Accused of Deliberately Lowering Crime Statistics in Committee Report

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has alleged that the Metropolitan Police Department manipulated and artificially reduced publicly reported crime statistics in the District of Columbia under outgoing police Chief Pamela Smith.

In a report published Sunday, the committee stated its investigation revealed commanders testified about clear pressures being placed on MPD personnel to lower crime classifications in order to present a perception of low crime rates to the public. The report specifically highlighted an emphasis on the daily crime report (DCR), a publicly accessible dataset that includes only nine categories of felony offenses. Committee officials noted Chief Smith was so focused on these statistics that she reportedly incentivized subordinates to reduce crime figures through any means necessary.

During its probe, the committee interviewed seven acting commanders and one suspended commander within the Metropolitan Police Department. A separate investigation by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office also found a significant number of MPD reports had been misclassified to make crime rates appear lower than they actually are.

Chief Smith has maintained she did not authorize or support any manipulation of crime statistics during her tenure. “I have never and will never authorize or even support any thought processes or activities with regards to crime numbers being manipulated,” Smith told Fox 5 in a recent interview.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser defended Smith’s performance, accusing the House committee of rushing to judgment to serve a politically motivated agenda. In a letter addressed to the committee’s chair and ranking member, Bowser stated: “It is my expectation that the crime statistics we publish and rely on are accurate and of the highest quality possible.” She also noted a review of the report revealed prejudice, as 20 out of 22 block quotes criticizing Chief Smith’s management were provided by only two command officials interviewed.

Current MPD crime data show homicides have dropped by 31% this year, from 181 in 2024 to 125 with just two weeks left in 2025.