Chief Robert Contee of Washington's Metropolitan Police Department said last week that he would be stepping down from his position. Over 30 years of service to MPD, Contee advanced through the ranks. He was my first lieutenant when I joined the department in 2000. I can tell you that he hasn't changed one bit from the day I met him. He is an authentic person, a true leader, and a police official who genuinely cares about the city where he grew up.

His departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a nationwide search for his successor, but the truth is that no one person can fix the crime problem in Washington, D.C. The problem is much larger than that.

We need to go back to 2020 in order to understand how we got here. The "Defund the Police" movement began that year. Following the George Floyd demonstrations, people across the nation demanded that police funding be cut. They said police officers were unfairly disproportionately targeting minority populations and that they were using force too quickly.

In response to these calls, Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia cut $25 million from MPD's budget. They also put into place a series of changes that made it harder for police to perform their duties. For instance, severely restricting police vehicle chases and prohibiting no-knock warrants.

The direct result of these reforms was a dramatic increase in crime. In 2021, the homicide rate in Washington reached its highest level in 15 years. Robberies and carjackings rose sharply in number as well. To be sure, Washington's crime problem can be solved. But it will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, the police force, and the community at large.

What should be done?

Increasing the number of police officers on the streets is one of the most important considerations. Because of the MPD's present staffing shortage, it is challenging for them to respond to crimes and forge bonds with the communities they serve. Investing in community policing is another crucial step. The goal of community policing is to strengthen bonds between the police and the neighborhoods they serve. By doing so, crime can be decreased and public safety can be increased. Finally, it's critical that we hold criminals accountable for their actions. This entails prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

As a community, we must band together to demand change to a failed anti-police ideology and demand law and order. Holding our elected representatives accountable is important. And instead of demonizing our police, the citizens of the district need to work with the police to build a safer city for everyone.

David J. Terestre served as a sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department and is a nationally published author on public safety and policing issues.