Peter Newsham will step down from his post to become Prince Williams County’s Chief of Police.
Tyrone Turner
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WAMU/DCist
With signs and chants, dozens of protestors demonstrated their disapproval of Prince William County’s hiring of D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham to lead the county force on Tuesday afternoon.
The protest happened outside the county building where the Prince William County Board of Supervisors was meeting. The board first announced the hire on Nov. 25 and touted Newsham’s accomplishments, including creating a more diverse MPD.
Protestors, however, are concerned about Newsham’s history of abuse allegations and about how he has handled protests and racial justice in D.C. A petition to stop his hiring has garnered nearly 2,500 signatures.
The demonstrators held signs that said, “D.C. didn’t want him. We don’t either,” according to WTOP, and chanted “fire Newsham.”
“We know based on our friends, community members out in D.C., that they’ve been trying to get him out for years,” said Aida Campos, the organizer of the protest told InsideNova.com. “We know how horribly he handled this year, and we frankly don’t want that in our community.”
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On Monday during a press conference, Newsham said he takes criticism seriously.
“One of the things that I’ve learned in a leadership position is really what you have to do when folks are critical, is you have to really listen,” he said. “Some of that criticism is valid and you have to change accordingly.
“So if there are folks out there who are critical of me, either here in the District or in Prince William County, they can rest assured that I will listen to that criticism. If that criticism is valid, I will adjust accordingly.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised her outgoing police chief.
“Having a person who’s been committed to law enforcement for 31 years and has served a major city for that entire career certainly is a bonus to any department who is looking for a new police chief,” she said. “So while we are very sad that the chief has decided to move on, he served us with distinction and he’s going to be great where wherever he goes.”
Newsham says he will work for the District through the inauguration and then move on to Prince William County.
Related:
Prince William County Sees Promise — And Missed Opportunity — In D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham
Newsham Hire Sparks War Of Words Over Prince William County Law Enforcement
Jordan Pascale
