Chairman James Comer (R-KY) of the House Oversight Committee is demanding that the Washington, D.C., Interim Chief of Police Carroll hand over data surrounding the reporting of crime data.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is continuing its investigation of Metropolitan Police Department’s practices regarding the reporting of D.C.’s crime data,” Comer wrote in a letter to Carroll. “In December 2025, the Committee released an interim staff report detailing findings that then-MPD Chief Smith ‘pressured and at times directed commanders to manipulate crime data in order to maintain the appearance of low crime in the nation’s capital.’ Following the Committee’s report, you said that an MPD independent audit team would examine crime reports to, ‘make sure they’re being classified appropriately.'”
“Recently, the Committee was made aware that MPD’s Internal Affairs Department’s investigation has been completed and contains substantiated claims against individuals in MPD leadership positions. The Committee therefore seeks documents and communications to assist in its continued investigation,” he continued.
Comer’s letter stems from a 2025 investigation surrounding allegations that Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) manipulated crime data. In July 2025, Police Union head Gregg Pemberton accused commanders of instructing officers to “take a report for a lesser offense” to artificially lower crime statistics.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating disturbing allegations that DC crime data is inaccurate and intentionally manipulated, potentially at the direction of Metropolitan Police Department leadership. MPD has a duty under federal and local law to accurately report crime to the public,” Comer wrote to then-MPD Chief of Police Pamela Smith. “However, in May, MPD placed Third District Commander Michael Pulliam on administrative leave following allegations that he altered crime reports. Unfortunately, this practice does not appear to be isolated, nor is it a recent development. MPD recently entered into a settlement agreement related to allegations that senior MPD officials were engaged in falsifying crime statistics to artificially lower reported crime rates.”
