Attorney General Racine Applauds Police Chief Lanier for Exemplary Service to District

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today issued the following statement in response to the announcement that Police Chief Cathy Lanier will retire next month from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to become head of security for the National Football League.

“I enthusiastically join District colleagues and residents in thanking Police Chief Cathy Lanier for her tireless work to keep our nation’s capital safe and for building a police department that works in conjunction with community leaders. Chief Lanier took what once was an agency embroiled in controversy and turned it into a model for police departments across the nation, especially with regard to the use of community policing. She has a relentless focus not just on results, but on smart ways to protect public safety.”

“The Office of the Attorney General is grateful for Chief Lanier’s support of our efforts to reform how we approach juvenile justice in the District. She embraced our successful collaboration with the Department of Human Services’ Alternatives to Court Experience (ACE) program to dramatically increase diversion away from the juvenile justice system to community-based services that reduce recidivism. Of the youth who have completed the ACE diversion program, more than 90% of them have not been re-arrested in the District.”

“I’d also like to thank Chief Lanier for working seamlessly with the Office of the Attorney General as we transitioned to a newly independent agency. Her support and partnership with our independent authority helped us protect and serve District residents.”