DC Police Union criticizes criminal code overhaul and warns of ‘exploding’ crime rates
Cami Mondeaux
The D.C. Police Union criticized the City Council for overriding Mayor Muriel Bowser’s veto of a massive overhaul to the district’s criminal code, arguing the bill’s implementation would lead to “exploding” crime rates.
The D.C. City Council voted 12-1 on Tuesday to override Bowser’s veto, setting the stage for the newly updated criminal code to take effect in October 2025. Opponents such as Bowser criticized the changes, which include reduced sentences for several crimes, arguing it would lead to a surge in crime across the city.
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LAX DC CRIMINAL CODE ADVANCES AFTER COUNCIL OVERRIDES MAYOR BOWSER’S VETO
“The Mayor is the only elected official listening to District residents on crime and violence,” DC Police Union Chairman Greggory Pemberton said in a statement. “This law, once enacted, will lead to violent crime rates exploding even more than they already have. It’s reprehensible that the Council would smugly continue to support failed policies at the expense of the lives of our most vulnerable residents.”
The rewritten legislation sought to clarify and redefine penalties for criminal offenses after several lawmakers claimed severe punishments often do not deter crime rates. Part of the rewrite included provisions that would eliminate most mandatory minimum sentences, establish jury trials for nearly all misdemeanor cases, and reduce the maximum penalties for crimes such as carjackings or robberies.
Bowser announced her intent to veto the bill in early January, arguing proposals to reduce sentencing while the city is experiencing an uptick in crime rates “sends the wrong message.” The mayor also expressed concerns that the revised criminal code would overwhelm local courts by expanding jury trial rights.
Lawmakers responded to initial pushback of reduced sentences, noting punishments for more severe crimes wouldn’t be reduced and that many of the newly proposed penalties lined up with how judges and juries have been ruling for years. Additionally, the law is not set to take place for three years, giving law enforcement and court officials time to prepare.
Some council members criticized Bowser for her veto, claiming her rejection of certain policies only resulted in fearmongering among the public.
“The Mayor’s veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act is a distraction and contributes to dangerous rhetoric,” Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said in a tweet. “Do not believe the hype: the Council is not tying the hands of law enforcement.”
The D.C. Police Union shot back, calling Nadeau’s statement an “outright lie.”
“This exponential increase in crime can be directly attributed to [Councilman] Charles Allen and the City Council’s efforts to coddle criminals and reduce the effectiveness of the police department,” the union said in a statement. “This override of the Mayor’s veto is just another failure by the Council to protect this city from violence.”
The overhaul of the city’s criminal code comes as the city has grappled with a surge in crime rates over the last two years, according to the D.C. Police Union. There were 203 homicides reported in Washington, D.C., in 2022, marking the second time in nearly two decades the city has experienced back-to-back years with 200-plus homicides.
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Lawmakers began the process of overhauling the city’s criminal code 16 years ago in order to update the law’s language and policies. As a result, the council created the Criminal Code Reform Commission to analyze the current law, research best practices, and propose changes.
“The Revised Criminal Code Act is the product of a 16-year-long effort with hard-fought compromise and consensus among the key agencies who administer our criminal justice system,” Allen said in December. “After lengthy discussions, serious compromises, and two unanimous votes by the Council to pass this legislation, residents can trust the Council will do the right thing … to put the modernized law in place.”