Mayor Bowser on Whether D.C. Police Manipulated Crime Stats: ‘We Know That Crime Has Gone Down in Our City’

Reporter: “Could you respond to the Justice Department investigation into whether the Metropolitan Police Department allegedly manipulated crime stats data?”

BOWSER: “I’m happy to respond and I’ll just say this. Whatever questions were asked or inquiry, we will respond and we will cooperate with any investigation. We know that crime has gone down in our city and it has gone down precipitously over the last two years because of a lot of hard work, changes to our public safety ecosystem, including changes to the law. And we know that those facts don’t comport to what some people are saying, but those are the facts. So, any questions about data from DoJ, we will happily answer. Yeah?”

Reporter 2: “A follow-up to that question. In regards to the allegations, there also — people against your office and what’s being done are speaking, talking about the fact that, in May, you also did have a commander who was placed on administrative leave on similar suspicions. That was done in May. Can you update us on that investigation? And I’ll ask another question after that.”

BOWSER: “I don’t really have an update to that investigation, but I will say, that was an investigation initiated by the chief, and I’m not sure if it’s concluded, but I’ll ask the chief to talk about that.”