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THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE

As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move

Updated: 9/18/2025

CrimePoliceWashington D.C.National GuardMuriel Bowser

What it is

As a former Washington, D.C. cop who has responded to countless homicides and other crime scenes during midnight shifts, the current federal takeover of the capital city is a welcome sight.

Why it matters

  • As a former Washington, D.C. cop who has responded to countless homicides and other crime scenes during midnight shifts, the current federal takeover of the capital city is a welcome sight
  • They, like me, welcome the federal government’s intervention via federal law enforcement officers and the D.C
  • As a Metropolitan Police Department officer in the southeast and northeast quadrants of the District, I would regularly hear gunshots as I sped in a beat car toward the scene, sometimes even running toward them on foot
  • The homicides that had the most impact on my psyche were the robbery victims
  • D.C.’s crime problem is not the fault of its police officers, whose force is understaffed by nearly 1500 officers
  • Violent crime was so rampant and occupied so much of our shifts that we hardly had time to stop for bathroom breaks

Key facts

  • Context is developing
  • Additional details to be confirmed

Timeline & recent coverage

  • See related posts on our site; this explainer updates when new reporting appears
  • For deeper background, explore the sources below

Primary sources

Further reading & references

  • (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic)

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