DC Police Chief Pamela Smith to step down, Mayor Bowser says
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith will be stepping down from her role, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday morning.
In a statement, Bowser said Smith took over as police chief at a time when there was “significant urgency to reverse the crime trends our city was facing post pandemic.” Within a year of her tenure, the District opened the Real-Time Crime Center and issued “newer and better technology” for officers, Bowser said.
“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,” Bowser said. “We are grateful for her service to Washington, DC.”
Today, I announced that Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith will be stepping down.
My statement: pic.twitter.com/fg1iEaBmOz— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) December 8, 2025
A reason was not given for Smith’s departure. In an interview with Axios, Smith said attention from the federal government did not impact her decision.
“There comes a time when you just know it’s time,” Smith said.
Smith was nominated to head the department in July 2023, following more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement across the U.S. She became the second woman named to lead D.C.’s police force and the first Black woman to take on the role.
Bowser did not announce when Smith’s final day would take place.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.