Whistleblower, Ward 6 Candidate Reacts to Release of Scathing House Committee Report on MPD’s Data Manipulation Scheme
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2025
Contact: info@murphyforward6.com
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Michael L. Murphy, recently announced candidate for Council, and the first to sound the alarm on the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)’s mishandling and misclassification of data on violent crimes, reacted to the release of the Congressional Oversight Committee’s report that found DC MPD engaged in a coordinated scheme to manipulate the city’s data on violent crime:
“Today’s news is disappointing but not surprising. For far too long, a culture of fear has plagued our city, both within the Metropolitan Police Department, and within communities who have been forced to deal with the consequences of the lies being sold by city officials.
Our residents deserve the truth, and our officers deserve the resources they need to fight crime. This scheme has robbed us of both. To make matters worse, it’s taken an outside power to uncover the truth, and begin a path toward accountability. Despite hundreds of signatures and continued efforts to have the DC Council conduct their own investigation, they chose to ignore me, their constituents, and continue participating in a cover-up that threatens lives, and the future of home rule. It’s unacceptable.
Now that the facts have come to light, it’s time to take the actions necessary to begin repairing the damage that their lies have caused. The resignation of Chief Smith was a start, but it’s far from the end. We need new data, an examination of the resources our patrol officers have lost out on, and most importantly; new leadership at all levels of city government. In order to protect the future of our city, this wrong must be rectified beginning today. Anything less represents a continued defoliation of duty to the families who call our city home.”
Beginning in the Spring of this year, Murphy conducted his own investigation on MPD’s crime data. From a denied FOIA in early 2025, to an opinion piece in The Hill, and appearances at local Advisory Neighborhood Council (ANC) meetings on both sides of the river, Murphy has remained dedicated to uncovering the truth, promoting transparency, and working with community leaders to demand answers from leadership that will improve community outcomes.
Upon the federal takeover and announcement of federal investigation(s) into these practices, Murphy started a Change.Org petition. The petition, entitled, received hundreds of signatures. He has since sent multiple letters to the City Council, encouraging it to conduct an independent investigation into the crime stats issue. On December 4, he provided testimony at the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety, Public Safety Hearing, discussing the key findings of his work and imploring the Council to conduct meaningful oversight in response to three federal investigations.
For more information, visit the candidate’s website at murphyforward6.com.
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ABOUT MICHAEL L. MURPHY
Michael, a dedicated litigator at Bailey & Glasser LLP, has an impressive track record in class action lawsuits against major corporations. He's also deeply committed to pro bono work, notably representing Two Rivers Public Charter School in a high-profile case.
A second-career attorney, Michael brings a unique perspective, having supported national bargaining committees for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and worked as a paralegal for the D.C. Office of the Corporation Counsel. He graduated cum laude from The Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America, where he was a member of the Law Review. He earned a B.S. in Human Resources Management from California State University-Fresno and a M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michael served as Interim Executive Director of the Drum Major Institute, a non-profit founded on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s principles. A long-time Capitol Hill resident, married for almost 30 years with two children and rescue dogs, he enjoys bouldering, biking, and hosting living room concerts with nationally-touring acts.
