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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-265
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 20, 2016
To recognize and honor Cathy L. Lanier for her years of service to the District of Columbia as the Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Department.
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier received her Bachelor of Science degree in Management from John Hopkins University, with honors; her Masters of Science degree in Management from John Hopkins University, with honors; and her Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School, with honors;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Unit Commanders Academy;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier has served as a sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) since 1990;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier spent more than 10 years in the Uniform Patrol Division;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier served as Commander of the Fourth District and created the Latino Advisory Council, which later expanded into the Latino Liaison Unit;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier served as the Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Division for 4 years where she managed members of the Emergency Response Team; Explosive Ordinance Unit; Aviation and Harbor Units; Horse Mounted and Canine Units; Domestic Security Unit; Special Events/Dignitary Protection Branch; and the Department’s Civil Disturbance Unit;
WHEREAS, MPD’s Office of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism was created in 2006, and Cathy Lanier was chosen to be its first Commanding Officer, with responsibility for all counter-terrorism operations, including terrorism investigations in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorist Task Force;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier was appointed as the Chief of Police on January 2, 2007, by Mayor Adrian Fenty and unanimously confirmed by the Council on April 3, 2007;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier was the first woman appointed and confirmed by the Council to lead the MPD;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier served as Chief of Police for 9 ½ years under 3 mayoral administrations;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier has received numerous awards for her commitment and dedication to policing, including the Police Executive Research Forum Gary P. Hayes Memorial Award, given annually to police executives who recognize the broad nature of the police function and engage the community and police professionals in bringing about change;
WHEREAS, from 2007 to 2016, the District of Columbia experienced a 10% reduction in homicides;
WHEREAS, from 2007 to 2016, the District of Columbia experienced a 23% reduction in violent crime;
WHEREAS, under Cathy Lanier’s leadership, MPD is deploying more than 2,800 body-worn cameras to 7 police districts and 3 substations in 2016 with the goals of promoting transparency and increasing accountability;
WHEREAS, Cathy Lanier’s management and leadership styles emphasized community engagement and tailoring policing to the unique needs of each neighborhood;
WHEREAS, MPD conducts extensive outreach efforts, reaching more than 30,000 youth and adults in 2015 through events such as National Night Out, Beat the Streets, movie nights, Halloween Safe Haven, holiday parties, Senior Bingo, and Play Street; and
WHEREAS, under Cathy Lanier’s leadership, MPD has worked collaboratively with partners in the community and social service agencies to build positive relationships between youth and law enforcement on projects such as Youth Creating Change, the Junior Cadet Program, and the Junior Police Academy.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Cathy L. Lanier Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Cathy L. Lanier for her years of service to the District of Columbia as the Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
