House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer requested the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department to hand over all of its records related to an internal investigation into allegations that it manipulated crime data in the district.

A House Oversight report last year found the then-outgoing police chief manipulated crime statistics by pressuring commanders to create the appearance that the situation in the nation's capital is better than the numbers in fact show. 

Comer said in a letter to interim MPD Police Chief Jeffery Carroll that his committee has learned that the department's internal affairs department has completed its probe, and he is now demanding all related documents and communications in MPD’s possession.

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is continuing its investigation of Metropolitan Police Department’s practices regarding the reporting of D.C.’s crime data," Comer wrote in the letter. “Recently, the committee was made aware that MPD’s Internal Affairs Department’s investigation has been completed and contains substantiated claims against individuals in MPD leadership positions. 

"The committee therefore seeks documents and communications to assist in its continued investigation," he continued. "If MPD refuses to provide the requested documents and communications, the committee may pursue the compulsory process to compel document production."

According to testimony in the committee's interim staff report, former MPD Chief Pamela Smith was more focused on lowering the publicly reported crime numbers than reducing actual crime, putting pressure on MPD commanders to produce low crime statistics by any means necessary.

Commanders also testified that they "were berated for reporting rising crime," and that "Smith engaged in retribution in the form of retaliatory transfers and demotions against various MPD officials," according to the committee.

The Justice Department also conducted an investigation that concluded that MPD crime statistics were “likely unreliable and inaccurate," and that Smith created a “coercive culture of fear.” Smith has denied the allegations. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.