By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Washington, D.C. — Mayor Muriel Bowser named Jeffery Carroll interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, succeeding Chief Pamela A. Smith, who is stepping down at year’s end. Police1+1
- Background: Carroll is MPD’s Executive Assistant Chief for Specialized Operations and a 23-year department veteran. Police1+1
- Context: The transition comes amid scrutiny of MPD crime data by Congress and the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Bowser has asked for further review. AP News+1
- Recent visibility: Carroll briefed media after the Nov. 26 shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House. Police1
WASHINGTON — Mayor Muriel E. Bowser on Wednesday appointed Jeffery Carroll as interim chief of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), elevating the executive assistant chief who oversees specialized operations to lead the agency as Chief Pamela A. Smith prepares to depart. Police1+1
Carroll, a career MPD officer who has held command roles in special operations and homeland security, steps in during a politically charged moment for the department. Congressional investigators and federal prosecutors have questioned elements of the city’s crime statistics practices, prompting calls for audits and additional oversight. Bowser has disputed some findings but said the District would pursue an independent review. The Washington Post+1
Smith, appointed in 2023, announced last week she would step down at the end of 2025. Her tenure included aggressive deployments to curb violent crime, youth-curfew zones, and managing staffing headwinds that followed the pandemic. WTOP News
Carroll’s profile has risen in recent weeks; he appeared alongside Bowser after the Nov. 26 ambush-style shooting that wounded two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House, providing initial operational details to reporters. In remarks Wednesday, he said he is “deeply honored” by the appointment and pledged operational continuity, accuracy in crime classification, and ongoing coordination with federal partners while reviewing current policies. Police1+1
The leadership change comes as MPD prepares for year-end safety operations and continued joint deployments across downtown and transit corridors. Carroll’s formal start as interim chief follows Smith’s transition; the Mayor’s Office indicated a permanent selection process will proceed separately. The Washington Post