Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

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]

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
Seal of the Metropolitan Police Department
Flag of the District of Columbia
Incumbent
Pamela A. Smith (acting)
since 
  • July 17, 2023 (2023-07-17)
  • (0 years ago)
Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia
Reports toMayor of the District of Columbia
SeatWashington, D.C., U.S.
AppointerMayor of the District of Columbia
PrecursorMajor and Superintendent
Formation1953
First holderRobert V. Murray
Salary$120,100
Websitehttp://MPDC.DC.gov

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

Name Tenure Duration
Pamela A. Smith (acting) July 17, 2023   Present 2 months and 22 days
Ashan Benedict (interim) May 24, 2023   July 16, 2023 1 month and 22 days
Robert Contee May 4, 2021  May 24, 2023 2 years and 20 days
Robert Contee (interim) January 2, 2021  May 4, 2021 4 months and 2 days
Peter Newsham May 2, 2017  January 1, 2021 3 years, 7 months and 30 days
Peter Newsham (interim) September 15, 2016  May 2, 2017 7 months and 17 days
Cathy L. Lanier May 4, 2007  September 15, 2016[7] 9 years, 4 months and 11 days
Cathy L. Lanier (interim) January 2, 2007  May 4, 2007[7] 4 months and 2 days
Charles H. Ramsey April 21, 1998  December 28, 2006 8 years, 8 months and 7 days
Sonya Proctor (interim) November 25, 1997  April 21, 1998 4 months and 27 days
Larry Soulsby December 5, 1995  November 25, 1997[8][9] 1 year, 11 months and 20 days
Fred Thomas January 8, 1993  July 7, 1995[10][11] 2 years, 5 months and 29 days
Isaac Fulwood August 4, 1989  October 30, 1992[12][13] 3 years, 2 months and 26 days
Maurice T. Turner, Jr. July 1, 1981  July 26, 1989[14] 8 years and 25 days
Burtell M. Jefferson January 12, 1978  June 30 1981[15] 3 years, 5 months and 18 days
Maurice J. Cullinane December 15, 1974  January 11, 1978 3 years and 27 days
Jerry V. Wilson August 1, 1969  September 30, 1974 5 years, 1 month and 29 days
John B. Layton December 1, 1964  July 31, 1969 4 years, 7 months and 30 days
Robert V. Murray June 26, 1953  December 1, 1964 11 years, 5 months and 5 days

Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police

Name Tenure Duration
Robert V. Murray September 16, 1952  June 26, 1953 9 months and 10 days

Major and Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police

Name Tenure Duration
Robert V. Murray December 1, 1951  September 15, 1952 9 months and 14 days
Robert J. Barrett July 1, 1947  November 30, 1951 4 years, 4 months and 29 days
Harvey G. Callahan February 1, 1946  June 30, 1947 1 year, 4 months and 29 days
Edward J. Kelly November 1, 1941  February 1, 1946 4 years and 3 months
Ernest W. Brown October 22, 1932  November 1, 1941 9 years and 10 days
Pelham D. Glassford November 16, 1931  October 20, 1932 11 months and 4 days
Henry G. Pratt April 1, 1929  November 1, 1931 2 years and 7 months
Edwin B. Hesse October 6, 1925  April 1, 1929 3 years, 5 months and 26 days
Daniel Sullivan February 11, 1922  October 1, 1925 3 years, 7 months and 20 days
Harry L. Gessford April 19, 1920  December 1, 1921 1 year, 7 months and 12 days
Raymond W. Pullman April 1, 1915  February 22, 1920 4 years, 10 months and 21 days
Richard H. Sylvester July 18, 1898  April 1, 1915 16 years, 8 months and 14 days
William C. Moore December 8, 1886  July 12, 1898 11 years, 7 months and 4 days
Samuel H. Walker July 1, 1886  December 1, 1886 5 months
William McEntyre Dye April 1, 1883  June 30, 1886 3 years, 2 months and 29 days
William G. Brock December 1, 1879  April 1, 1883 3 years and 4 months
Thomas P. Morgan February 2, 1878  November 29, 1879 1 year, 9 months and 27 days
Almarin C. Richards December 1, 1864  January 28, 1878 13 years, 1 month and 27 days
William Benning Webb September 1861  November 1864 3 years, 2 months

References

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