A longtime veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia was named the permanent chief of the force on Thursday.
Mayor Muriel Bowser named Peter J. Newsham as the city’s new police chief.
“As we continue our work in creating a safer, stronger DC, I am confident that Chief Newsham has the skills and relationships to successfully lead our police force. He understands and believes in community policing, and he is trusted by members of the community,” Bowser said in a statement.
The 27-year veteran of the force, Newsham has worked as an assistant chief for 14 years and will replace retired chief Cathy L. Lanier.
After a nine-year-run as chief, Lanier retired last August to take over as head of security for the NFL. Newsham, 52, has been the department’s interim leader since then.
Newsham now takes over one of the highest-profile police agencies in the nation with nearly 3,800 officers. Lanier helped transform the department into one known for community policing and Newsham is expected to carry on that trend. The City Council will now have to approve Newsham.
