D.C. police chief’s contract renewed for 5 more years

Lanier’s $253,817 annual salary will remain intact, and her new contract provides that her base salary will remain flat over the five-year period. Under her last contract, her salary balooned from $75,000 in 2007 to her current figure until it was capped by the D.C. Council last year. Lanier will, however, be elegible for the Metropolitan Police Department’s 25-year service bonus after Sept. 24, 2014, according to mayoral spokesman Pedro Ribeiro.

That bonus kicks in for all MPD employees on their 25-year anniversary of service in the force. Lanier’s bonus will total 5 percent of her salary for an additional $12,690.85 per year. Most bonuses for officers total 15 percent of salaries. Lanier’s bonus would bump her new pay to $266,507.85 after 2014, but still keeping her as the second-highest-paid in the city behind schools chandellor Kaya Henderson.

District officials have touted Lanier’s leadership and her pledge to put more officers on the streets. The homocide rate, which spiked ato 181 during her first year as chief, nose dived to 108 last year — the lowest the city has seen in decades.

Lanier’s current contract had not yet expired when Gray made the announcement Wednesday. Her new contract, however, is back dated to Jan. 2, 2012, Ribeiro said. It is subject to approval by the D.C. council.

The renewal drew criticism from the police union, which has gone without a contract for five years, “and, as a result, no cost of living increases or other compensation increases,” a union press release said. That’s led to problems with retaining and hiring officers, union President Kris Baumann said.

“It is a grim day for police officers and residents; we are reminded once again that this is an administration without honor, and the leaders are out to enrich themselves at the expense of the public and the workers that serve the public,” Baumann said.