House Oversight Committee Finds Evidence Of Misreported Crime Statistics

Monday, December 15, 2025, 8:00 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela A. Smith is set to leave her post as chief of police for the District of Columbia at the end of this month, a decision that comes amid mounting controversy following findings by the U.S. House Oversight Committee that the department manipulated crime statistics to portray a sustained reduction in crime across the nation’s capital.

     Smith, who was appointed in 2023 and became the first Black woman to permanently serve as MPD chief, confirmed that she will step down on December 31, 2025. In a public statement, Smith cited personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with her family. Her departure follows growing scrutiny of the department’s internal practices and precedes the anticipated public release of a draft Department of Justice report examining MPD leadership and data integrity.

     According to findings circulated by the House Oversight Committee, MPD leadership presided over an environment in which crime data was misclassified, downgraded, or otherwise altered to present a narrative of declining crime throughout the District. While some reporting irregularities predated Smith’s tenure, investigators concluded that the practice became more pronounced as pressure increased to demonstrate tangible improvements in public safety.

Allegations Of Manipulated Crime Data;

     The committee’s report alleges that district commanders and supervisory personnel were encouraged, implicitly or explicitly, to lower reported crime figures. Serious offenses were reportedly reclassified or excluded from official tallies, distorting public-facing crime data relied upon by residents, policymakers, and federal agencies.

     House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) described the findings as deeply troubling, stating that manipulation of crime statistics represents a fundamental breach of public trust. He emphasized that accurate data is essential for effective policymaking and public safety accountability.

     A draft Department of Justice assessment reviewing thousands of incident reports and interviews with current and former MPD personnel reportedly supports the committee’s conclusions. The DOJ findings describe a departmental culture in which officers felt pressured to adjust crime classifications in ways that reduced the appearance of violent crime.

Leadership, Crime Trends, And Political Fallout;

     During Smith’s tenure, District officials publicly highlighted sharp declines in violent crime and homicides, citing official MPD statistics as evidence of successful policing strategies. Mayor Muriel Bowser repeatedly referenced those figures in public statements and policy briefings.

     However, the Oversight Committee’s findings cast doubt on the reliability of those statistics and raise broader questions about transparency within the department. Critics argue that the alleged data manipulation undermines confidence in city leadership and may have influenced public safety funding, deployment decisions, and political messaging.

     Supporters of Smith, including some city officials and police union representatives, maintain that crime in Washington has genuinely decreased and caution against conflating reporting failures with intentional falsification. While acknowledging flaws in internal reporting systems, they argue that frontline policing efforts should not be discounted.

Next Steps And Ongoing Investigations;

     Smith, a veteran law enforcement official with nearly three decades of service and a former chief of the U.S. Park Police, has stated that her decision to step down is not directly related to the ongoing investigations. City officials are expected to appoint an interim chief while Mayor Bowser begins the process of selecting a permanent successor.

     The House Oversight Committee has indicated that its inquiry will continue into 2026, with additional hearings planned. Lawmakers are also considering legislative proposals aimed at strengthening crime data transparency and federal oversight of municipal police departments.

     The Department of Justice is expected to release its final report in the coming months, a document that could carry significant implications for MPD leadership, federal intervention, and public confidence in crime reporting nationwide.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor for Englebrook Independent News. Reporting is based on verified findings from the U.S. House Oversight Committee, draft Department of Justice assessments, and official public statements regarding leadership changes within the Metropolitan Police Department. Englebrook Independent News will continue to provide fact-based coverage as additional documents are released and the investigation progresses.