Veteran Activist Responds to Jeffery Carroll’s Appointment as Interim Metropolitan Police Chief

December 19, 2025

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim Metropolitan Police Chief has sparked strong criticism from activists, particularly April Goggans of Black Lives Matter DC. Critics point to Carroll's alleged history of allowing white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys to operate freely, his involvement in controversial police tactics such as "kettling" during 2020 protests, and his presence in footage with extremist groups during lawsuits filed by Black female officers alleging discrimination. Carroll, a 20-year MPD veteran, assumes leadership during an investigation into alleged crime data manipulation under the previous chief, though he says his priorities include improving crime classification training and establishing an auditing team.

Who is affected

April Goggans and Black Lives Matter DC activists
Black female MPD officers who filed discrimination lawsuits against the department
Protesters who were subjected to "kettling" tactics on Swann Street in 2020
D.C. Council members, particularly Councilmember Brooke Pinto
Community members in Ward 8 and communities east of the Anacostia River
Marginalized District residents and Black populations
The late Karon Hylton-Brown (mentioned in use-of-force review failures)
Outgoing Police Chief Pamela A. Smith
MPD officers whose morale was allegedly affected by crime data manipulation
Charnal Chaney and her Week of Healing participants

What action is being taken

The D.C. Inspector General is conducting an investigation into alleged crime data manipulation
Carroll is working on improving officer training in crime data classification, enhancing policy and technology controls, and developing a dedicated auditing team
D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto and colleagues are demanding data points from MPD about federal law enforcement collaboration (information due January 9)
Charnal Chaney is conducting Week of Healing activities in Ward 8 to address community trauma
Carroll is continuing MPD's relationship with federal law enforcement partners while maintaining the department's policy of not being directly involved with immigration enforcement

Why it matters

This appointment is significant because it reflects ongoing tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities in D.C., particularly regarding police treatment of Black residents and collaboration with federal authorities. The selection of Carroll, despite serious allegations about his handling of white supremacist groups, discrimination within the department, and controversial protest tactics, signals what activists view as the mayor's prioritization of political loyalty over community accountability. This matters especially as D.C. faces uncertainty about federal government involvement in local policing during the second Trump presidency, raises questions about civil rights protections, and highlights systemic issues within MPD that activists argue cannot be solved through leadership changes alone. The controversy also affects public trust in police at a time when crime data manipulation allegations have already undermined confidence in the department.

What's next

Information requested by the D.C. Council about federal law enforcement collaboration is due on January 9
It remains to be determined whether Mayor Bowser will put Carroll through the council confirmation process (he could serve throughout her final term without it)
The D.C. Inspector General will conduct an investigation into alleged crime data manipulation
Carroll indicated he will take time to review police department operations before making decisions about policy changes
Charnal Chaney indicated more Week of Healing activities are planned, with the eventual goal of bringing community members and law enforcement together in the same space

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer