Several More Commanders Being Moved in Shake-Up

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier is moving several top commanders in a shake-up, including the head of the 3rd District, a busy area of the city with the highest amount of crime.

The moves, announced yesterday, mark the second time that Lanier has shuffled top personnel since becoming chief in December 2006. She has replaced six of the seven district commanders since taking over the department. The changes take effect tomorrow.

Cmdr. Larry McCoy, a 30-year veteran, has been reassigned from the 3rd District, the section including Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan. He will be replaced by Cmdr. George Kucik, formerly an inspector in the 1st District, which includes Capitol Hill and the new Nationals Park, police said.

McCoy will become head of the intelligence unit. He had led the 3rd District for five years.

Cmdr. Andy Solberg, who has led the 2nd District since September 2006, will become a field commander. He will be replaced by Mark Carter, who had been a captain at the police training academy. The 2nd District includes Georgetown and Woodley Park.

"The chief promoted me back to the streets where I belong," said Solberg, a 22-year veteran.

Of the seven patrol district commanders, only one was on that job when Lanier became chief. Joel Maupin of the 7th District remains in place in the southernmost area east of the Anacostia River, the part of the city with the most homicides last year.

In other moves, Lanier shifted Cmdr. Christopher Lojacono from head of the forensics division to the special operations division, where he will work on the upcoming presidential inauguration.

Jake Kishter, an acting inspector, will fill Lojacono's role in forensics.

In September, Lanier reorganized the department in an effort to improve its efficiency. She did not return calls last night seeking comment on the latest personnel moves.