U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) conduct a traffic stop near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. on Aug. 14, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
The findings, based on eight transcribed interviews with MPD district commanders, describe a toxic management environment in which accuracy was sacrificed for optics, and career officials faced public humiliation or demotion for presenting Smith with unfavorable crime statistics.
MPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about the report.
"Briefings with Chief Smith involved public chastisement to the point commanders expressed feeling like they were being treated as if they had committed the crimes themselves," the report stated.
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National Guard members patrol the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Aug. 30, 2025. (Andrew Leyden/Getty)
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser noted last week that D.C. homicides are down 30% this year.
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Bowser told Fox News Digital in a statement: "The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership."
"I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of DC residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police," she added.
Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-allege-dc-police-downgraded-crime-classifications-manipulate-statistics