Ellis Gordon
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DC Police Union leader criticizes city council after SE shooting leaves 4 officers injured
by Ida Domingo
Wed, February 14th 2024 at 12:00 PM
Updated Wed, February 14th 2024 at 5:27 PM
7News talks to DC. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton after a shooting on Hanna Place SE, D.C. on Feb. 14, 2024. Three officers were injured. (7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — In the wake of a shooting incident in Southeast D.C. Wednesday morning that left three police officers shot and another injured, D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton issued a call for action to address the safety concerns of law enforcement officers.
During a press conference after the shooting, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith said D.C. crime is not out of control.
According to MPD's year-to-date crime comparison, crime is down in the District compared to this time last year, and there have been 113 cases of assault with a dangerous weapon so far in 2024.
"I think we have a group of individuals who do not respect law enforcement authority," Smith said. "Officers were where they were supposed to be, doing exactly what we need them to do. And we will continue to do that."
7News asked the police union leader if he thinks the Omnibus Crime Bill is going to help police officers.
Pemberton told 7News that the agency is "short 500 police officers because of the city council's comprehensive policing and Justice Reform Act, which completely eliminates police officers' rights and undermines their ability to do their job."
7News talks to DC. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton after a shooting on Hanna Place SE, D.C. on Feb. 14, 2024. Three officers were injured. (7News)
Pemberton said the original version of the bill was very helpful for the officers but said the positives were eliminated after several amendments were passed in the first reading.
"So once again, the city council has decided to act in favor of the activism, in favor of the criminals, and decided to leave the victims and the police officers out of it," Pemberton said.
Voicing frustration, Pemberton called the council to take action to improve their safety as well as the community. He added that officers don't want to work for a council that treats them like "garbage."
"We're here we're gonna be here for the police officers and the police officers gonna be here for the citizens, we're gonna go out, we're going to do our job. We're going to try to keep these neighborhoods safe, as safe as we can. It's just impossible for us to do our jobs under these kinds of conditions that the council has created," Pemberton stated.
During the Wednesday press conference, Smith only spoke on one portion of the bill that she hopes will be passed.
"The penalties for folks that are just discharging firearms that do not have a right to do that is very challenging for us," Smith told reporters. "So I'm asking that we certainly do everything we can to pass Secure DC, especially the portion of that bill where we need to increase the penalties for firearms."
7News has reached out to several D.C. council members to request a comment following Pemberton's interview. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson replied with this statement:
“This shooting is terrible and reminds us that there is a long way to go to reduce gun violence. But trying to draw a link between this incident and Council legislation is complete nonsense," Mendelson said.
Wed, February 14th 2024 at 12:00 PM
Updated Wed, February 14th 2024 at 5:27 PM
7News talks to DC. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton after a shooting on Hanna Place SE, D.C. on Feb. 14, 2024. Three officers were injured. (7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — In the wake of a shooting incident in Southeast D.C. Wednesday morning that left three police officers shot and another injured, D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton issued a call for action to address the safety concerns of law enforcement officers.
During a press conference after the shooting, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith said D.C. crime is not out of control.
According to MPD's year-to-date crime comparison, crime is down in the District compared to this time last year, and there have been 113 cases of assault with a dangerous weapon so far in 2024.
"I think we have a group of individuals who do not respect law enforcement authority," Smith said. "Officers were where they were supposed to be, doing exactly what we need them to do. And we will continue to do that."
7News asked the police union leader if he thinks the Omnibus Crime Bill is going to help police officers.
Pemberton told 7News that the agency is "short 500 police officers because of the city council's comprehensive policing and Justice Reform Act, which completely eliminates police officers' rights and undermines their ability to do their job."
7News talks to DC. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton after a shooting on Hanna Place SE, D.C. on Feb. 14, 2024. Three officers were injured. (7News)
Pemberton said the original version of the bill was very helpful for the officers but said the positives were eliminated after several amendments were passed in the first reading.
"So once again, the city council has decided to act in favor of the activism, in favor of the criminals, and decided to leave the victims and the police officers out of it," Pemberton said.
Voicing frustration, Pemberton called the council to take action to improve their safety as well as the community. He added that officers don't want to work for a council that treats them like "garbage."
"We're here we're gonna be here for the police officers and the police officers gonna be here for the citizens, we're gonna go out, we're going to do our job. We're going to try to keep these neighborhoods safe, as safe as we can. It's just impossible for us to do our jobs under these kinds of conditions that the council has created," Pemberton stated.
During the Wednesday press conference, Smith only spoke on one portion of the bill that she hopes will be passed.
"The penalties for folks that are just discharging firearms that do not have a right to do that is very challenging for us," Smith told reporters. "So I'm asking that we certainly do everything we can to pass Secure DC, especially the portion of that bill where we need to increase the penalties for firearms."
7News has reached out to several D.C. council members to request a comment following Pemberton's interview. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson replied with this statement:
“This shooting is terrible and reminds us that there is a long way to go to reduce gun violence. But trying to draw a link between this incident and Council legislation is complete nonsense," Mendelson said.
