The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is escalating its investigation into the Metropolitan Police Department after an internal probe uncovered substantiated claims that senior leadership manipulated crime statistics in Washington, D.C.
The committee’s move follows a December 2025 interim staff report alleging that former MPD Chief Pamela Smith pressured and, in some cases, directed commanders to alter crime data to preserve the appearance of lower crime rates in the nation’s capital. After that report, city officials indicated an internal audit would review whether incidents were being properly classified.
According to the latest letter, MPD’s Internal Affairs Division has now completed its investigation and identified substantiated misconduct involving individuals in leadership roles. In response, the committee is demanding a broad set of records, including all documents tied to a specific internal case file, any disciplinary actions taken, and all communications between MPD and the DC Office of the Inspector General.
Lawmakers set a deadline of May 12, 2026, for the materials and warned that failure to comply could result in compulsory measures to force production. The committee cited its authority under House rules to investigate federal and municipal matters, including oversight of Washington, D.C.’s local governance.
Read the Letter From Oversight Committee
