D.C. police under Chief Pamela Smith allegedly manipulated crime data, pressured staff to alter records, and retaliated against whistleblowers, contradicting public claims of falling crime.

A House Oversight Committee report alleges Washington, D.C., police under Chief Pamela Smith manipulated crime statistics, pressured staff to alter data, and retaliated against officers who reported accurate figures, contradicting public claims of declining crime. The findings, based on testimony from police commanders, suggest deliberate efforts to downplay crime levels during both the Biden and Trump administrations, raising concerns about data transparency and potential similar practices in other major U.S. cities. The report fuels ongoing political debate over crime rates and law enforcement accountability, though no nationwide assessment has been made.