ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 6, 2023
To recognize, honor, and thank Robert J. Contee, III for more than thirty-three years of service
to the District of Columbia as a law enforcement officer for the Metropolitan Police
Department, including more than two years (2021-2023) as the Chief of Police.
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III is a native Washingtonian from the Carver Terrace
community on 21st Street, Northeast, and a proud graduate of Spingarn High School;
WHEREAS, despite many challenges and traumas experienced in that community, Chief
Contee persevered with an unwavering desire to give back to his hometown through public
service;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee joined the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in 1989 as
a Police Cadet, and began his path of excellence to a long and impactful career;
WHEREAS, after several successful years as a Cadet, Robert J. Contee, III became a full-
time sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department in 1992;
WHEREAS, following graduation from the Metropolitan Police Academy, his first patrol
assignment was in the Third District;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee served the community of the Second District in the rank of
Sergeant before returning to the police academy as a training Sergeant at MPD’s residential
facility to positively influence the next generation of police officers;
WHEREAS, upon his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, he served as the Police
Service Area leader in the Second District and then led the Intelligence Branch to ensure the
District was well-protected and MPD was prepared to respond to threats and critical incidents;
WHEREAS, in January 2004, Robert J. Contee, III was promoted to the rank of Captain
and was responsible for leading the Violent Crimes Branch, including MPD’s Homicide Branch
and Sexual Assault Unit;
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WHEREAS, later that year he was promoted to the rank of Commander and returned to
the Second District to oversee all patrol operations and personnel before being transferred to the
Special Operations Division in April 2006, where he oversaw tactical patrol, special events, and
District traffic safety functions;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III became Commander of the Sixth District in 2007, an
area that includes the Northeast (east of the Anacostia River) and Southeast quadrants of the city,
before taking command of the Recruiting Division in October 2014;
WHEREAS, he returned to patrol operations to lead the First District as their Commander
in January 2016 until his appointment as Assistant Chief of MPD’s Professional Development
Bureau to oversee the Human Resources Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division,
the Metropolitan Police Academy and Recruiting;
WHEREAS, in April 2017, Contee was named Patrol Chief of Patrol Services South and
was responsible for the oversight of the First, Sixth, and Seventh Police Districts, before being
named Assistant Chief of the MPD’s Investigative Services Bureau in March 2018;
WHEREAS, following the retirement of Chief Peter Newsham, DC’s own Robert J.
Contee, III was sworn in as Acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department on January 2,
2021, before his unanimous confirmation by DC Council as the 31st permanent Chief of the
Department on May 4, 2021;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee leaves behind a legacy of leadership, building impactful
community-police relationships, investing in employee wellness and development and making
the District of Columbia safer for all residents and visitors;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, in his first week as Chief, led the Metropolitan Police
Department, assisting agencies and the city of Washington, DC through the historic January 6th
insurrection at the United States Capitol and the subsequent investigation and proceedings;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, never forgot about his opportunity to serve as a Cadet
and the positive impact it can have on young Washingtonians as he expanded the MPD Cadet
Corps to recruit and retain more residents;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, established MPD’s Office of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion and prioritized employee mental health and well-being;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, launched the DC Police Leadership Academy for
future police leaders across the world;
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, strengthened critical relationships with federal law
enforcement agencies to prevent and combat violent crime;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, increased impactful youth engagement through the
creation of the Youth Advisory Board and led MPD’s inaugural Youth Summit;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, elevated transparency across the agency;
WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, implemented Active Bystandership for Law
Enforcement (ABLE) training for all MPD members;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee is a lifelong learner and chose to continue his academic
studies by attending George Washington University earning his bachelor’s degree in Professional
Studies with a concentration in Political Science;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee’s professional development continued throughout his career as
he completed studies at the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement
Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police of the Police Executive Research
Forum;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee mentored police executives from across the country as part of
the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s Leadership Institute;
WHEREAS, Chief Contee’s motto, “Excellence is Transferrable,” is a reflection of his 33
year career with the Metropolitan Police Department;
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Chief Robert J. Contee, III Recognition Resolution of
2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and thanks Chief
Robert J. Contee, III for his thirty-four years of service to the District of Columbia as a cadet,
sworn officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, and Chief of Police for the
Metropolitan Police Department.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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