Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier’s decision to demote a controversial police commander in an East-of-the-River district has quickly become one of the pressing political questions in the city. Lanier demoted Robin Hoey to captain and transferred him out of the 6th Police District late last month. Since then, residents in the Northeast neighborhoods where Hoey’s team patrolled have increased their demands for an explanation.

Residents on Thursday rallied outside the 6th District station on 42nd Street Northeast and also sat in on a town meeting Lanier held in Northwest to pepper her with questions about the demotion.