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D.C. Police Chief Accused of Manipulating Crime Data

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. ce-chief-accused-of-manipulating-crime-data.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, February 12th 2026 at 1:08 GMT by Fox 5
      Locales: District of Columbia, UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A scathing report released today by the House Oversight Committee has leveled accusations against District of Columbia Police Chief Pamela Smith, alleging a deliberate manipulation of crime data to present a rosier picture of public safety than reality dictates. The report, released on Thursday, February 12th, 2026, details findings that point to altered incident reporting practices, inconsistencies in data categorization, and a systemic effort to downplay the severity of criminal activity within the nation's capital. The allegations are fueling a political firestorm and raising significant questions about transparency and accountability within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The core of the committee's investigation centers around changes implemented by the MPD in how crime incidents are classified and reported. The committee asserts these modifications were enacted without the necessary public scrutiny or independent oversight, leading to concerns about the reliability of official crime statistics. The report claims that the alterations weren't merely technical adjustments, but intentional moves to strategically reclassify offenses, shifting them into less serious categories to artificially depress the overall crime rate. This, the committee argues, effectively obscures the true extent of criminal activity impacting D.C. residents.

"The committee's investigation has uncovered deeply troubling evidence suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead the public regarding the true state of crime in Washington, D.C.," the report explicitly states. "This manipulation undermines public trust, hinders informed decision-making by residents, and impedes effective crime prevention strategies."

Chief Smith vehemently denies the accusations, maintaining that the changes to the data reporting system were solely intended to enhance accuracy and improve the efficiency of internal processes. In a prepared statement, she asserted, "The changes we made to our crime data reporting system were designed to enhance accuracy and streamline our processes. These changes were not intended to mislead or deceive the public. We are fully cooperating with the Oversight Committee's investigation and are confident that a thorough review will demonstrate the validity of our actions." However, the committee's report challenges this explanation, citing specific examples of incidents reclassified from violent crimes to less severe offenses, despite little to no change in the nature of the event.

The investigation stems from growing concerns raised by local community groups and data analysts who noticed discrepancies between reported crime statistics and anecdotal evidence from neighborhoods experiencing increased criminal activity. These concerns prompted the House Oversight Committee to launch a formal inquiry last year, culminating in today's published report. Several independent analyses, conducted by organizations like the D.C. Justice and Public Safety Coalition, have corroborated the committee's findings, pointing to statistically significant drops in reported violent crime that do not align with observed trends on the ground.

The committee's demands extend beyond simply requesting further documentation. They have specifically requested access to the internal memos and communications surrounding the implementation of the new reporting system, hoping to establish a clear timeline and identify the individuals involved in the decision-making process. Furthermore, they have called upon Mayor Muriel Bowser to take decisive action, including a comprehensive independent audit of the MPD's data management practices and a review of the department's internal oversight mechanisms. Some members of the committee are already suggesting the need for federal intervention if the situation isn't adequately addressed by local authorities.

The fallout from this report could be substantial. Beyond the immediate political implications, the allegations threaten to further erode public trust in law enforcement and local government. If substantiated, the manipulation of crime data could also have legal ramifications, potentially leading to criminal charges or civil lawsuits. The D.C. Council has already announced plans to hold emergency hearings next week to discuss the committee's findings and explore potential legislative remedies.

The situation is particularly sensitive given the ongoing debate surrounding crime and public safety in Washington, D.C., which has become a central issue in the upcoming mayoral election. Critics argue that the alleged data manipulation is a calculated attempt to influence public opinion and bolster the incumbent mayor's re-election prospects. The investigation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the House Oversight Committee promising to release additional findings as they become available. The future of Chief Smith's position and the integrity of D.C.'s crime data remain hanging in the balance.