Chief Ramsey To Step Down, Sources Say

Replacement Might Come From Outside D.C. Force

D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey will soon be stepping down as Mayor-elect Adrian M. Fenty considers former city police officials to lead the force, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Ramsey is expected to leave when Fenty takes the helm of the city Jan. 2. Fenty could make the announcement as early as next week, one source said.

Ramsey, who was hired eight years ago by Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D), has said that he wants to stay. He is the longest-serving chief in more than three decades of home rule. But Fenty, who for years was one of the chief's most vocal critics, has been looking elsewhere, according to the sources. Ramsey and Fenty squared off over deployment and other issues during Fenty's time on the D.C. Council.

Ramsey and Fenty (D) declined yesterday to comment on the chief's future. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Fenty has been publicly noncommittal for months about Ramsey's fate, saying he wanted to name his upper-level Cabinet before discussing the future of city agency chiefs. He has suggested that Ramsey, and the police, could get better results under a hands-on mayor. Ramsey has at times appeared exasperated with this process, at one point telling a reporter that he had no intention of having to "sing for his supper."

The change would create an opening in one of the nation's most high-profile law enforcement positions. The D.C. chief must deal not only with crime but also the threat of terrorism and provide security for presidential inaugurations and other major events in the nation's capital.

Ramsey has said that if he is no longer chief, he would look toward the private sector or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rather than heading another local agency. In recent months, he took himself out of consideration for the job as Boston's police chief.

It is unclear who would replace Ramsey, but sources said Fenty or his team is looking at a handful of former D.C. police officials who are chiefs in other cities. Possible contenders include Richmond Chief Rodney D. Monroe, Atlanta Chief Richard J. Pennington and Frederick Chief Kim C. Dine. They could not be reached for comment.

Yesterday, Fenty's designated city administrator, Dan Tangherlini, met with Ramsey for an hour as part of a review of city agencies. Fenty, who was not at that meeting, said yesterday that Tangherlini and Ramsey focused on the department's performance and not Ramsey's future.

"We understand the interest and want to make sure we're not keeping people [in limbo], and I assure you we're not," Fenty said. He declined to comment further on the future of any agency director until his review is complete.

Two D.C. Council members who have publicly supported Ramsey said they were shocked to learn he might be leaving.

"I wanted him to stay, but I'm not the mayor of D.C.," said Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).