D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier has signed a new five-year contract, and Mayor Vincent Gray praised her both for crime-fighting efforts and her willingness to incorporate community policing as part of that battle.
While touring a new school library on Wednesday, Gray said he was glad to sign the new five-year contract. which calls for an annual salary of $253,000 for Lanier each year.
"The evidence is abundant in terms of the crime statistics," he said, "and she has such a wonderful relationship with people also."
Lanier was first sworn in as chief in back in 2007 by then-Mayor Adrian Fenty. The veteran officer had been in the force since 1990.
Since then, Lanier has overseen the 3,800 sworn officers during a period in which homicides and the most serious violent crimes have declined.
Public opinion polls score her with an approval rating high 70s -- far more than the mayor, the council or other officials, with the exception of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.
"It's a strong endorsement," Gray told NBC4. "I think Chief Lanier has done absolutely fantastic job in leading the Metropolitan Police Department."
The police union, angry that it has had no new contract or raises for five years under Lanier, noted that she received a contract worth more than $1.2 million.
Fraternal Order of Police leader Kristopher Baumann said crime statistics also are worse than city officials say.
"It is a grim day for police officers and residents," Baumann said in a statement to the rank-and-file officers, and making a reference to controversies over high salaries in Gray's first term. "We are reminded once again that this is an administration without honor, and the leaders are out to enrich themselves at the expense of the public and the workers that serve the public."
Members of the D.C. Council generally support Lanier.
At-Large member Phil Mendelson, chairman of the judiciary and public safety committee that oversees the police department, told NBC4 that Lanier has done a good crime-fighting job. He said he would review her contract -- formal approval is not required -- when the mayor releases it.
"The public is very happy with Cathy Lanier, and crime in the District of Columbia has gone down a bit more than what the national average has been."
And Councilmember Yvette Alexander, who represents Ward 7, which lies mostly east of the Anacostia River, said Lanier has worked hard to improve policing in that area, too.
"I know that she has a challenging job," Alexander told us. "I think [the contract] is well deserved. She's supported across the city."
