House Investigates Allegations of Crime Data Manipulation in Washington, D.C.

The House Oversight Committee has launched an inquiry into serious concerns that crime data from Washington, D.C., may have been intentionally distorted. The investigation stems from allegations that officials within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) manipulated crime statistics, possibly under directives from leadership.

Committee Chairman James Comer highlighted that the MPD has a legal obligation to provide accurate crime reports to the public. He noted that in May, MPD placed Third District Commander Michael Pulliam on administrative leave amid accusations of altering crime records.

The inquiry also uncovered that this issue may not be isolated. Recently, the department entered into a settlement related to claims that senior officials engaged in falsifying crime data to artificially lower reported crime rates, suggesting a pattern of misconduct.

The committee’s investigation was prompted by whistleblower testimony and involves requesting records and interviews with police commanders across the city’s seven patrol districts, including Pulliam. These efforts aim to shed light on whether the data manipulation is a broader practice within the department.