WASHINGTON, D.C. — A senior D.C. police official has been suspended and is under investigation following allegations that he altered crime statistics within his district. Commander Michael Pulliam, formerly in charge of the 3rd District—which includes neighborhoods like Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights—was placed on paid administrative leave in mid-May.
The suspension came just a week after Pulliam filed an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint against Executive Assistant Chief of Police Andre Wright. At the same time, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the city’s police union, raised public concerns that some police supervisors were deliberately manipulating crime data to make it appear as though violent crime had decreased significantly compared to previous years.
Accusations of Data Tampering
According to five law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, Pulliam was notified that he was being placed under investigation for alleged improper changes to crime classifications. The allegations center around whether data was altered to make it seem like serious crimes—such as shootings or carjackings—were less frequent than they actually were.
Pulliam has denied the allegations against him. Sources suggest the investigation may also be politically motivated, coming closely on the heels of his EEO complaint against a high-ranking official.
Police Union Raises Broader Concerns
The controversy gained momentum when the police union publicly accused the department of systemic manipulation of crime statistics. FOP Chairman Gregg Pemberton claimed that officers are frequently ordered by higher-ups to downgrade reports of violent crimes. For example, a shooting or carjacking may be reported instead as a “felony assault” or “injured person to hospital,” classifications that do not fall under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part I offenses—standardized categories that include crimes like homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault.
“When our members respond to a felony scene with a victim, a lieutenant or captain may direct them to file a lesser offense,” Pemberton said. “That way, the crime doesn’t show up in official daily stats or FBI reports.”
Pemberton also said that the union has been gathering evidence through internal reports and discussions with officers citywide, suggesting that this practice is not isolated but potentially part of a broader departmental directive.
Allegations of Retaliation
The timing of Pulliam’s suspension has raised eyebrows. According to three sources familiar with the situation, Executive Assistant Chief Wright had allegedly ordered Commander Pulliam to personally move his wife’s belongings when she was transferred from the Youth Division to a night shift position in the 7th District by Chief Pamela Smith. Capt. Rachel Pulliam, Michael Pulliam’s wife, was reassigned in April, and the task of relocating her gear was reportedly given directly to her husband.
Sources say Commander Pulliam viewed this order as retaliatory and a misuse of authority, especially since it came shortly after his wife’s reassignment and just before his own suspension. Roughly a week later, Pulliam’s police powers were revoked.
Disputed Crime Trends
While the city’s official data shows a decline in crime, the union disputes the accuracy of those numbers. MPD data as of early last week indicated that violent crime was down 28% compared to the same time last year. A few days later, the figure had shifted slightly to 25%, while overall crime was listed as down by 8%.
Pemberton, however, said these figures are misleading.
“There’s absolutely no way crime could be down 28%,” he stated. “Last year they said it was down 34%, and we know that’s not accurate either.”
Department Response
Chief Pamela Smith has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the Pulliam investigation, citing department policy around ongoing internal reviews. However, in a statement addressing the union’s allegations, she emphasized that any irregularities in crime reporting would be taken seriously.
“The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to upholding the trust and the confidence of the public. Any irregularity in crime data brought to my attention will be addressed immediately. I do not condone any official reclassifying criminal offenses outside the guidelines set in MPD policy. Any allegation of this behavior will be dealt with through our internal processes, which will ensure those members are held accountable. I have the utmost confidence in the command staff leadership currently in place across the Metropolitan Police Department.”
Executive Assistant Chief Wright declined to comment when approached by News4.
Ongoing Investigations and Fallout
The situation has cast a spotlight on how crime is reported and classified in Washington, D.C., at a time when public concern about safety remains high. If substantiated, the allegations could damage the credibility of city crime statistics and erode public trust in MPD leadership.
As both the internal investigation into Pulliam’s conduct and the broader scrutiny over data manipulation continue, the department faces growing pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
No timeline has been given for when the investigation into Commander Pulliam will conclude. Meanwhile, his administrative leave status remains unchanged.
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