Police Chief Cathy Lanier, fresh from her confirmation as the first woman to head District of Columbia’s police, demoted a police commander who has been named in several sexual harassment complaints.
Commander Robin Hoey of the Sixth District in Northeast was demoted to captain and transferred to the police department’s central cell block, according to an internal memorandum obtained by The Examiner.
Hoey’s demotion was one of several changes announced Friday, just a couple of weeks after Lanier was confirmed as chief by the D.C. Council.
Former subordinates of Hoey accused him of sexual harassment inseveral complaints filed before Lanier was named chief. One of the complainants alleged that Hoey improperly touched her body.
In an interview with The Examiner late last year, Hoey said the complaints were filed to get even with him for his stern command style.
“When you manage the way I’m manage, you’re always going to find enemies,” he said. “It’s garbage.”
Hoey said Friday that he “disagreed” with the chief’s decision.
“I think I was doing a pretty good job in 6D,” he said. “It’s pretty obvious the chief doesn’t like me.”
Hoey said Lanier called him into her office on Thursday to tell him of the demotion.
Hoey said he was put on sick leave Friday because of high blood pressure. He surrendered his badge and gun as part of the leave, Hoey said.
In 1995, Lanier and another officer sued the police department for sexual harassment. The department paid each officer $75,000 to settle the suit.
Under Lanier’s overhaul, about a dozen officers and civil servants were either fired or asked to retire, 28 officers were transferred and seven were promoted, according to the police memo and sources within the department.
“None of these decisions were made in haste,” police spokeswoman Traci Hughes said. “They were all made with careful consideration. I think it’s going to shape, ultimately, her leadership style.”
One of those promoted was Joshua Ederheimer, who was made commander and placed in charge of police training. Ederheimer was once a rising star in the department – in part for his efforts to curb police violence – but he clashed with former Chief Charles Ramsey and was forced out of the department. Lanier brought him back shortly before her confirmation.
“She’s said it publicly – good work deserves to be promoted,” Hughes said.
Anyone with information on the D.C. police should call Bill Myers at 202-459-4956 or e-mail him at [email protected].
