Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

The Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, generally simply referred to as the Chief of Police, is the head of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. The current Chief of Police is Jeffery W. Carroll, who succeeded Pamela A. Smith on January 1, 2026 in an interim capacity. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser publicly swore in Carroll on January 6, 2026.

History In 1861, the Metropolitan Police Board unanimously chose one of its members, William Benning Webb, to serve as the first chief of the Metropolitan Police, the formal title at the time being "Major and Superintendent".

With effect from September 16, 1952, the rank and title of Major and Superintendent was abolished and replaced with the position of Chief of Police. Robert V. Murray would be the last Major and Superintendent and the first Chief of Police of the MPD, In 1953 Congress passed the District Government Reorganization Act, establishing a new Metropolitan Police Department with effect from June 26, 1953.

Heads of the Metropolitan Police The Metropolitan Police has a comprehensive list online of past and present police chiefs.

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Name Tenure DurationJeffery W. Carroll (interim)January 1, 2026 – incumbentPamela A. SmithJuly 17, 2023 December 31, 2025Ashan Benedict (interim)May 24, 2023 July 16, 2023Robert ConteeMay 4, 2021May 24, 2023Robert Contee (interim)January 2, 2021May 4, 2021Peter Newsham May 2, 2017January 1, 2021Peter Newsham (interim) September 15, 2016May 2, 2017Cathy L. LanierMay 4, 2007September 15, 2016Cathy L. Lanier (interim)January 2, 2007May 4, 2007Charles H. RamseyApril 21, 1998December 28, 2006Sonya Proctor (interim)November 25, 1997April 21, 1998Larry SoulsbyDecember 5, 1995November 25, 1997Fred ThomasJanuary 8, 1993July 7, 1995Isaac FulwoodAugust 4, 1989October 30, 1992Maurice T. Turner, Jr.July 1, 1981July 26, 1989Burtell M. JeffersonJanuary 12, 1978June 30 1981Maurice J. CullinaneDecember 15, 1974January 11, 1978Jerry V. WilsonAugust 1, 1969September 30, 1974John B. Layton December 1, 1964July 31, 1969Robert V. MurrayJune 26, 1953December 1, 1964

Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Name Tenure DurationRobert V. MurraySeptember 16, 1952June 26, 1953

Major and Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Name Tenure DurationRobert V. MurrayDecember 1, 1951September 15, 1952Robert J. BarrettJuly 1, 1947November 30, 1951Harvey G. CallahanFebruary 1, 1946June 30, 1947Edward J. Kelly November 1, 1941February 1, 1946Ernest W. BrownOctober 22, 1932November 1, 1941Pelham D. GlassfordNovember 16, 1931October 20, 1932Henry G. PrattApril 1, 1929November 1, 1931Edwin B. HesseOctober 6, 1925April 1, 1929Daniel SullivanFebruary 11, 1922October 1, 1925Harry L. GessfordApril 19, 1920December 1, 1921Raymond W. PullmanApril 1, 1915February 22, 1920Richard H. SylvesterJuly 18, 1898April 1, 1915William C. MooreDecember 8, 1886July 12, 1898 Samuel H. Walker July 1, 1886December 1, 1886 William McEntyre Dye April 1, 1883June 30, 1886 William G. Brock December 1, 1879April 1, 1883 Thomas P. Morgan February 2, 1878November 29, 1879 Almarin C. Richards December 1, 1864January 28, 1878 William Benning Webb September 1861November 1864 3 years, 2 months

References

External links

Police Chiefs - Past and Present 112 Stat. 100, Pub. L. 105-174, § 10007 District of Columbia Chief of Police Appointments; assignments; promotions; applicable civil service provisions; vacancies.