Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
| Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia | |
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Seal of the Metropolitan Police Department
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Flag of the District of Columbia
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Incumbent
Peter Newsham since May 2, 2017 |
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| Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia | |
| Reports to | Mayor of the District of Columbia |
| Seat | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Appointer | Mayor of the District of Columbia |
| Precursor | Major and Superintendent |
| Formation | 1953 |
| First holder | Robert V. Murray |
| Website | http: |
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 post is currently held by Peter Newsham who assumed in May 2017 after seven months as interim police chief.
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".
In 1953 Congress passed the District Government Reorganization Act. It formally abolished the rank and title of Major and Superintendent and replaced it 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.
The Metropolitan Police has a comprehensive list online of past and present police chiefs.
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Wikipedia