Newsham to Sub as Chief When Lanier Goes to NFL

Peter Newsham, Assistant Chief for Criminal Investigation, has been named Interim District of Columbia Chief of Police, in the wake of the recent announcement that Police Chief Cathy Lanier would be retiring to take a job as Vice President For Security with the National Football League.

A 27-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department, Newsham will take over as interim chief Sept. 17, upon which time a national search for a new police chief commences.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has indicated that she and District officials will be looking seriously into what has been called “a rich pool” of administrative talent, including Newsham, who has been an assistant chief in various capacities for 14 years.  Newsham has indicated that he definitely wants to be considered for the job.

Other likely internal candidates among the ranks of assistant chiefs include Robert J. Contee III, a newly promoted assistant chief who was a Second District Commander, Assistant Chief Diane Groomes, who is head of the patrol division, and Lamar E. Green, who is chief of homeland security.

During 9/11, Newsham was the commander in the Second District, which includes Georgetown, where he stood out for his commitment to being accessible to and cooperate with the community.  Newsham has a reputation for building relationships with community residents wherever he worked as an officer.

Bowser praised Newsham and said that he “believes in building relationships with the community as the best way to deter and solve crimes.”

In a television interview, Newsham said that Lanier had improved the police department by gaining the trust of the community.

Newsham earned a bachelor’s degree at the College of the Holy Cross and a law degree at the University of Maryland School of Law. He is a member of the Maryland Bar.