Too many comments I’ve seen of late amount to non-specific, exaggerated or personal attacks on Chief Lanier and others at MPD. Murder will never be routine. But these kind of comments are a distraction to achieving, as a matter of good habit, the kind of police/ community cooperation we saw play out in this case.

Many of us criticize Chief Lanier to one degree or another– hopefully over MPD *policy* issues. My criticism of Chief Lanier’s policy performance is at the margins. But the truth is, this city is fortunate to have a chief who appreciates our political process and the value of robust police issue discussions among MPD and LGBT residents.

Police chiefs have to wear lots of hats. Like a good field commander, this chief proved long ago she is highly adaptable to our city’s ever-changing crime ‘battlefield’.

Moreover, there is probably, now, better departmental consciousness and understanding of the underlying transphobia and/or homophobia most often linked– provably or not– with crimes against LGBT residents. And it is clear an extra intensity of violence seems to be reserved for DC’s transgender residents and lesbians. Hopefully, even rookie MPD responders now ‘get’ that, whether a GLLU officer is with them or not.

Respect for and the stature of specialized law enforcement units matter to the credibility and effectiveness of their unique policing missions– both to the public and to a department’s rank and file officers. MPD’s revitalized Special Liaison Division and GLLU units continue to increase their visibility, public contacts and educational efforts– both to LGBTs and wider audiences all across the city.

While many of us will continue to push for restoring a robust central GLLU office at Dupont– Asst. Chief Groomes, SLD’s Captain Delgado and GLLU’s Sgt. Mejia deserve credit for GLLU’s renewed visibility and GLLU’s ongoing policing efforts.

Finally, our city’s diligent LGBT press corps and our city’s transgender leaders and activists all deserve LGBT residents’ ongoing gratitude for keeping everyone informed and focused on a problem that has produced so much loss, grief and fear.

That does not happen by accident. The handling of this case is a good, cooperative model for both MPD and community residents to keep in mind.

Thanks to MPD’s Homicide Branch, MPD’s Communications office and SLD/GLLU for getting information about this horrific, bold crime promptly and widely disseminated throughout the city.