Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia explained

Post:Chief
Body:the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
Flag:Flag of Washington, D.C..svgborder
Flagsize:150px
Flagcaption:Flag of the District of Columbia
Insignia:Seal of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.png
Insigniacaption:Seal of the Metropolitan Police Department
Incumbent:Pamela A. Smith (acting)
Department:Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia
Reports To:Mayor of the District of Columbia
Seat:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Appointer:Mayor of the District of Columbia
Precursor:Major and Superintendent
Formation:1953
First:Robert V. Murray
Salary:$120,100

The Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, generally simply referred to as the Chief of Police, is the head of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. The current acting Chief of Police is Pamela A. Smith, who succeeded interim chief, Ashan Benedict.[1] [2]

History

In 1861, the Metropolitan Police Board unanimously chose one of its members, William Benning Webb, to serve as the first chief of the Metropolitan Police, the formal title at the time being "Major and Superintendent".[3]

With effect from September 16, 1952,[4] the rank and title of Major and Superintendent was abolished and replaced with the position of Chief of Police. Robert V. Murray would be the last Major and Superintendent and the first Chief of Police of the MPD,[5] In 1953 Congress passed the District Government Reorganization Act, establishing a new Metropolitan Police Department with effect from June 26, 1953.[4]

Heads of the Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police has a comprehensive list online of past and present police chiefs.[6]

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department

NameTenureDuration
Pamela A. Smith (acting)July 17, 2023 Present
Ashan Benedict (interim)May 24, 2023 July 16, 2023
Robert ConteeMay 4, 2021May 24, 2023
Robert Contee (interim)January 2, 2021May 4, 2021
Peter Newsham May 2, 2017January 1, 2021
Peter Newsham (interim) September 15, 2016May 2, 2017
Cathy L. LanierMay 4, 2007September 15, 2016
Cathy L. Lanier (interim)January 2, 2007May 4, 2007[7]
Charles H. RamseyApril 21, 1998December 28, 2006
Sonya Proctor (interim)November 25, 1997April 21, 1998
Larry SoulsbyDecember 5, 1995November 25, 1997[8] [9]
Fred ThomasJanuary 8, 1993July 7, 1995[10] [11]
Isaac FulwoodAugust 4, 1989October 30, 1992[12] [13]
Maurice T. Turner, Jr.July 1, 1981July 26, 1989[14]
Burtell M. JeffersonJanuary 12, 1978June 30 1981[15]
Maurice J. CullinaneDecember 15, 1974January 11, 1978
Jerry V. WilsonAugust 1, 1969September 30, 1974
John B. Layton December 1, 1964July 31, 1969
Robert V. MurrayJune 26, 1953December 1, 1964

Major and Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police

NameTenureDuration
Robert V. MurrayDecember 1, 1951September 15, 1952
Robert J. BarrettJuly 1, 1947November 30, 1951
Harvey G. CallahanFebruary 1, 1946June 30, 1947
Edward J. Kelly November 1, 1941February 1, 1946
Ernest W. BrownOctober 22, 1932November 1, 1941
Pelham D. GlassfordNovember 16, 1931October 20, 1932
Henry G. PrattApril 1, 1929November 1, 1931
Edwin B. HesseOctober 6, 1925April 1, 1929
Daniel SullivanFebruary 11, 1922October 1, 1925
Harry L. GessfordApril 19, 1920December 1, 1921
Raymond W. PullmanApril 1, 1915February 22, 1920
Richard H. SylvesterJuly 18, 1898April 1, 1915
William C. MooreDecember 8, 1886July 12, 1898
Samuel H. WalkerJuly 1, 1886December 1, 1886
William McEntyre DyeApril 1, 1883June 30, 1886
William G. BrockDecember 1, 1879April 1, 1883
Thomas P. MorganFebruary 2, 1878November 29, 1879
Almarin C. RichardsDecember 1, 1864January 28, 1878
William Benning WebbSeptember 1861November 18643 years, 2 months

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: May 19, 2023 . Who is Ashan Benedict What to know about DC's interim police chief . 2023-05-26 . wusa9.com . en-US.
  2. Web site: Riley . Fiona . 2023-07-21 . Bowser selects D.C.'s next police chief . 2023-07-22 . The GW Hatchet.
  3. Web site: MPDC . William B. Webb . mpdc.dc.gov . 2014-02-10.
  4. Book: Title 4: Police and Fire Departments . District of Columbia Code 1951 Edition: Supplement VII . 1952 . Washington, D.C. . U.S. Government Printing Office . 1959 . 129 . October 17, 2021 .
  5. Web site: MPDC . Robert V. Murray . mpdc.dc.gov . 2014-02-10.
  6. Web site: Metropolitan Police Department Washington, D.C. - Annual Report: Fiscal Year Nineteen Eighty-Three . . 1983 . MPDC . October 17, 2021.
  7. News: Klein. Allison. May 5, 2007 . Sworn In as Chief, Lanier Recalls Struggles . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  8. News: Kyriakos. Marianne. December 7, 1995 . LATINOS LAUD POLICE PROMOTIONS . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  9. News: Thomas-Lester. Avis. Horwitz. Sari . November 27, 1997 . FOR CHIEF SOULSBY, A TIE OF FRIENDSHIP UNRAVELED A CAREER . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  10. News: Harriston. Keith A.. Thomas-Lester. Avis . January 9, 1993 . 'MURDER CAPITAL' REPUTATION DERIDED BY NEW D.C. CHIEF . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  11. News: Castaneda. Ruben. Miller. Bill . June 26, 1995 . D.C. POLICE CHIEF LEAVING BEHIND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, RESENTMENTS . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  12. News: Sanchez . Carlos . August 5, 1989 . FULWOOD SWORN IN AS CHIEF, ASKS COMMUNITY FOR HELP . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  13. News: Weil . Martin . November 25, 1992 . D.C. USES RECENT LAW TO PUT FULWOOD BACK ON THE PAYROLL. The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  14. News: Weil . Martin . Horwitz . Sari . June 17, 1993 . FORMER D.C. POLICE CHIEF MAURICE TURNER DIES AT 57 . The Washington Post . October 17, 2021.
  15. Williams . Brian N. . Kellough . J. Edward . 2006-11-15 . Riccucci . Norma M. . Leadership with an Enduring Impact: The Legacy of Chief Burtell Jefferson of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. . . 66 . 6 . 813–822 . 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2006.00650.x. 1540-6210. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502124044/http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/shulockn/executive%20fellows%20pdf%20readings/par%20admin%20profile%20jefferson.pdf . 2018-05-02 . 2018-05-02.