Lanier's Plan Is Praised For Cutting Bureaucracy

"From a command point of view, it eliminates a lot of the bureaucracy," Barry said.

Former council member Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3), who once headed the judiciary committee, agreed that it was time to consolidate.

"The ROCS created a layer of management that didn't seem necessary when compared with other departments," she said.

Patterson and council member Phil Mendelson, (D-At Large), the current head of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, said they believe that Lanier promoted talented, hardworking officials.

Those moving up to assistant chief include Patrick Burke, who built a following among residents in recent years as a patrol lieutenant heavily involved in community policing. Burke, most recently a commander in the special operations division, will head a new bureau for homeland security.

In addition to Groomes and Burke, the assistant chiefs are Joshua Ederheimer, Peter Newsham, Alfred Durham and Winston Robinson.

But the shake-up could lead to legal challenges. Civil rights lawyer Ted Williams said he is representing two high-level black police officials who have been demoted recently. Williams declined to identify them.

Ronald Hampton, executive director of the National Black Police Association, said he is calling for a meeting of an NAACP police task force to talk about the demotions of the three assistant chiefs.

"We're losing the delicate balance of black and white," said Hampton, a former D.C. police officer. "Not to have that balance is an issue if you want to gain the trust of the people."