Mayor nominates new D.C. police chief Assistant Chief Pamela Smith is an ordained minister By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday announced she has nominated Assistant D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith to be the city’s next chief of police. The police chief position became open in April when former Police Chief Robert J. Contee III, who had publicly committed to providing supportive police services for the LGBTQ community, announced he was resigning to take a position with the FBI. Smith joined D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department in May 2022 after having served as Chief of Police for the United States Park Police in the nation’s capital. Background information on Smith released by the mayor’s ofexperience, with most of that time with the Park Police. In addition to serving in D.C. with the Park Police, she Francisco. Upon joining the D.C. police in 2022 Smith be-
as a minister and her path to public service, which she’ll share with you, is one that I know resonates with D.C.’s communities in all eight wards,” Bowser said. The mayor was referring to Smith’s status as an ordisclose through which church or denomination Smith was ordained. Political observers say they expect the Council to approve the nomination. nity may be asking is whether Smith’s religious beliefs put her at odds with the LGBTQ community. A gay former D.C. and who was familiar with Smith’s short tenure with D.C. police said they were unaware of any negative views or actions by Smith on LGBTQ related issues. “They’ve always said good things about her,” the former
April of this year to the position of Assistant Chief of Police for Homeland Security.
Police people who knew Smith. “And I’ve heard nothing but good things about this Chief Smith at the MPD,” the
can-American woman to serve as the permanent D.C. police chief since the D.C. police department was founded in 1861. “We’re getting the full package with Chief Smith – experience, passion and a strong commitment to making D.C. safer,” Bowser said at a news conference where she announced her nomination of Smith to become police chief. “She also works with young people in her personal life
to ask about her thoughts on how the D.C. police can best serve the city’s LGBTQ residents at a time when hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people in the city are at greater numbers than other minority groups targeted for hate crimes. Another issue of interest to LGBTQ activists is a report community special liaison units, including the LGBTQ Liai-
Assistant D.C. Police Chief PAMELA SMITH
son Unit, have declined in recent years. Some police insiders have expressed concern that those units may soon run for this, police insiders have said, is the overall shortage of
other LGBTQ issues. Mayoral spokesperson Susana Caswould arrange for such an interview. “I think Mayor Bowser has made a good choice for D.C.’s new police chief,” said local LGBTQ rights advocate Peter Rosenstein. “I look forward to Chief Smith meeting with the LGBTQ+ community and committing to supporting the LGBTQ liaison unit,” Rosenstein told the Blade. “I have worked with, and supported her predecessors at MPD, and look forward to supporting Chief Smith,” he said.
Frisch elected Fairfax County School Board vice chair focus of our new strategic plan,” Frisch said in a press release. “I remain, as always, committed to doing everything I can to help our world-class educators deliver on
Fairfax County School Board member Karl Frisch was elected as the board’s vice chair during a board meeting last week. Frisch was elected as the board’s Providence District vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and the American Civil Liberties Union, Capital Pride, FCPS Pride and other organizations have recognized him for it. “I am grateful to my colleagues for the opportunity to serve as vice chair of the board, working together with parents and staff as we advance the student-centered
KARL FRISCH (Photo courtesy of Frisch)
Wednesday rejected a proposed ban on non-government
educational purpose,” determined by the schools’ principals. Along with banning the Pride and Black Lives Matter
The board voted four to three, with one abstaining, against the proposed policy. The votes were as follows:
and pennants. Advocates for the policy argued that the display of Pride beliefs do not support LGBTQ or Black Lives Matter com-
The ban, which Frank proposed, would have encour-
political beliefs. The Anne Arundel chapter of Moms for Liberty, a farright extremist group, was a strong supporter of the policy.
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potential.” Frisch while on the board has served as its federal legislative liaison and as a member of its audit and public engagement committees. Frisch previously ran for the Virginia House of Delegates, but lost during the Democratic primary. ISABELLE KRAVIS
be one more step toward excluding LGBTQ studetns and students of color. Lin, a senior at Severna Park High School and the only student representative on the board, was met with applause from his colleagues and those in the audience political. sue,” Lin said. “LGBTQ people exist in our society and their the goal is to teach students that there are people who are different than them that exist, and teachers don’t teach stuexist and to treat them like human beings.” ISABELLE KRAVIS