The Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith, the first black woman to hold the position, announced her resignation on Monday after two and a half years in the role.

Smith said in a statement on the MPD website that her tenure as chief was "the greatest honor" of her career, the Daily Mail reported.

"This role has been both challenging and rewarding," she said. "While my aspiration has always been to see zero percent crime, we are not there yet. Nonetheless, we have made tremendous progress, and there remains important work ahead."

The police chief denied suggestions that President Trump's federalization of the city's police department influenced her decision to resign.

"There comes a time when you just know it's time," Smith told Axios, noting her 28-year career in law enforcement.

Her predecessors, Peter Newsham and Cathy Lanier, served in the position for four years and nine years, respectively.

Smith joined MPD in May 2022 as its first chief equity officer, and Mayor Muriel Bowser nominated her as police chief in July 2023, with the City Council confirming her appointment that November. 

She is expected to resign on Dec. 31, and Bowser's office will soon name an interim chief.

Bowser said that during Smith's tenure, the capital opened a real-time crime center, started using improved technology, and passed comprehensive legislation prioritizing accountability.

"Chief Smith dramatically drove down violent crime, drove down the homicide rate to its lowest levels in eight years, and helped us restore a sense of safety and accountability in our neighborhoods," the mayor said. 

Still, the police department under her tenure had problems with youth-related violent crime and a long-time manpower shortage. 

Bowser said Smith got all of this done while also navigating unprecedented challenges and attacks on our city's autonomy."