Comer looks into high-ranking DC police officials for manipulating crime statistics
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) has written to Interim MPD Chief Jeffery Carroll requesting all documents related to an Internal Affairs Department (IAD) examination into alleged manipulation of Washington,D.C. crime statistics by high-ranking officials.
Comer said the committee learned the IAD investigation is complete and includes substantiated claims involving MPD leadership, and he wants the materials to support the committee’s ongoing oversight. An MPD spokesperson said the department is focused on implementing recommendations from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General,while emphasizing efforts to reduce crime.
the request builds on prior scrutiny of MPD data reporting, including Comer’s August 2025 oversight beginning over concerns about crime tracking. The article also notes earlier allegations-linked to changes during the deployment of National Guard troops-along with past testimony and lawsuits by former MPD personnel who accused retaliation.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) on Tuesday sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., requesting information about an investigation into high-ranking officials allegedly manipulating crime statistics.
Comer, who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that oversees the District, sent a letter to Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll requesting that he provide all materials related to an Internal Affairs Department investigation into crime statistics.
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“Recently, the Committee was made aware that MPD’s Internal Affairs Department’s investigation has been completed and included substantiated claims against individuals in MPD leadership positions,” the letter said, Washington City Paper reported. “The committee therefore seeks documents and communications for its own continued investigation.”
An MPD spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that the department is committed to implementing recommendations from the Office of the Inspector General’s independent evaluation once it is completed. The D.C. Office of the Inspector General launched a review of data collection and reporting in January, but it has not been released yet.
“However, while we are always focused on agency improvement, our top priority is driving down crime,” the spokesperson said. “While overall crime continues to remain down as compared to last year, we have seen increases in April that require that we redouble our efforts and attention on ensuring our police are firmly focused on keeping our city safe.”
The MPD has faced scrutiny for misrepresenting crime statistics in the past, with Comer launching a House oversight investigation into the department’s data tracking in August 2025. It is unclear how far the IAD investigation goes back.
At the time of Comer’s initial investigation, President Donald Trump said D.C. was tweaking crime statistics to give the “false illusion of safety.” The comments were made in conjunction with Trump deploying the National Guard to the district.
The latest MPD IAD investigation began after the president sent National Guard troops to the streets of D.C., and allegedly changed certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. For example, some 390 thefts were changed to taking property without a right, which is considered a misdemeanor.
Another case of misrepresenting data occurred in 2020, and Former Sgt. Charlotte Djossou and former Officer Tabatha Knight testified before the D.C. council on the matter. Both women filed lawsuits following their testimonies, alleging they had faced retaliation for speaking out.
Carroll, who is now leading the MPD, took over the department after a swirl of accusations and resignations over manipulated crime statistics.
MPD Cmdr. Michael Pulliam was put on paid administrative leave in May 2025 for allegations of changing crime data. A Justice Department investigation found that then-MPD Chief Pamela Smith was accused of creating a threatening environment that could have led to altered statistics.
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Carroll pledged to improve training on classifying crime, launching an auditing team to regularly review completed reports, and tightening controls around classification when he took control of the department, which was reaffirmed by the MPD spokesperson.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Comer’s office for comment.
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