In response to the nomination of Interim Chief of Police Peter Newsham by Mayor Bowser to assume the permanent position, Councilmember Charles Allen issued the following statement:

“As the Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, I'm looking forward to leading the Council’s confirmation process for the Mayor’s nominee. My top priorities for the next Chief will be a demonstrated commitment to community policing and relationship building, enhancing the transparency of the Department’s operations and data, protecting our most vulnerable communities and residents, and stabilizing the police force by recruiting and retaining the best of the best.

I take the Council’s role in confirming a new Chief seriously, as I do our responsibility to engage District residents and our officers. The Committee will hold three public hearings in the coming weeks for public comment on the nomination -- two roundtables held in the community and one public hearing at the Wilson Building. Dates and locations will be announced shortly." 

I look forward to hearing from Interim Chief Newsham about his qualifications and vision for the Department.” 

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