Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., announced Monday her plans to step down.
Dec. 8 (UPI) — Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., announced Monday her plans to step down from her post after two years.
She revealed her decision in a post on the MPD's website after saying she wouldn't seek re-election to head up the department. Her last day on the force is expected to be Dec. 31.
“I am deeply humbled, grateful and deeply appreciate of my time with the District of Columbia,” Smith wrote. “Serving as chief of police has been the greatest honor of my career, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Muriel Bowers for appointing me to this position and to the DC Council for their steadfast support throughout my tenure.”
Bowser lauded Smith's accomplishments in her own statement, citing new and improved technology, and accountability, “while also navigating unprecedented challenges and attacks on our city's autonomy.”
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“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 neighborhood,” Bowser said.
“We are grateful for her service to Washington, D.C.”
Smith was the first Black woman to serve as chief of the MPD. She joined the force in May 2022 as chief equity officer after 24 years in law enforcement, including a stint as chief of the Park Police in Washington.
Some D.C. residents took issue with Smith after she issued a directive ordering the MPD to cooperate with federal officers in President Donald Trump‘s crackdown on immigration in the capital.
Despite this, Trump issued an executive order in August putting the MPD under federal control. Attorney General Pam Bondi also named Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Terrence Cole the acting MPD police chief.
In an interview with Axios on Monday, Smith said the MPD was “not aligned with” Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
“We do not, and have not since the crime emergency, worked alongside ICE,” she said.
She said the federal involvement with immigration in recent months had nothing to do with her departure.
“There comes a time when you just know it's time,” Smith told the outlet.
Bowser's office is expected to name an interim chief to replace Smith soon.