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Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. 2
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 6
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 10
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Councilmember Robert White, Jr. Councilmember Matthew Frumin 14
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Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Christina Henderson 18
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 22
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Councilmember Anita Bonds 26
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 30
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 33
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To recognize, honor, and thank Robert J. Contee, III for more than thirty-three years of service 36
to the District of Columbia as a law enforcement officer for the Metropolitan Police 37
Department, including more than two years (2021-2023) as the Chief of Police. 38
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III is a native Washingtonian from the Carver Terrace 40
community on 21
st
Street, Northeast, and a proud graduate of Spingarn High School; 41
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WHEREAS, despite many challenges and traumas experienced in that community, Chief 43
Contee persevered with an unwavering desire to give back to his hometown through public 44
service; 45
46 WHEREAS, Chief Contee joined the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in 1989 as 47
a Police Cadet, and began his path of excellence to a long and impactful career; 48
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WHEREAS, after several successful years as a Cadet, Robert J. Contee, III became a full-50
time sworn member of the Metropolitan Police Department in 1992; 51
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WHEREAS, following graduation from the Metropolitan Police Academy, his first patrol 53
assignment was in the Third District; 54
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WHEREAS, Chief Contee served the community of the Second District in the rank of 56
Sergeant before returning to the police academy as a training Sergeant at MPD’s residential 57
facility to positively influence the next generation of police officers; 58
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WHEREAS, upon his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, he served as the Police 60
Service Area leader in the Second District and then led the Intelligence Branch to ensure the 61
District was well-protected and MPD was prepared to respond to threats and critical incidents; 62
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WHEREAS, in January 2004, Robert J. Contee, III was promoted to the rank of Captain 64
and was responsible for leading the Violent Crimes Branch, including MPD’s Homicide Branch 65
and Sexual Assault Unit; 66
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WHEREAS, later that year he was promoted to the rank of Commander and returned to 68
the Second District to oversee all patrol operations and personnel before being transferred to the 69
Special Operations Division in April 2006, where he oversaw tactical patrol, special events, and 70
District traffic safety functions; 71
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III became Commander of the Sixth District in 2007, an 73
area that includes the Northeast (east of the Anacostia River) and Southeast quadrants of the city, 74
before taking command of the Recruiting Division in October 2014; 75
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WHEREAS, he returned to patrol operations to lead the First District as their Commander 77
in January 2016 until his appointment as Assistant Chief of MPD’s Professional Development 78
Bureau to oversee the Human Resources Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division 79
the Metropolitan Police Academy and Recruiting; 80
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WHEREAS, in April 2017, Contee was named Patrol Chief of Patrol Services South and 82
was responsible for the oversight of the First, Sixth, and Seventh Police Districts, before being 83
named Assistant Chief of the MPD’s Investigative Services Bureau in March 2018; 84
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WHEREAS, following the retirement of Chief Peter Newsham, DC’s own Robert J. 86
Contee, III was sworn in as Acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department on January 2, 87
2021, before his unanimous confirmation by DC Council as the 31
st
permanent Chief of the 88
Department on May 4, 2021; 89
90 WHEREAS, Chief Contee leaves behind a legacy of leadership, building impactful 91
community-police relationships, investing in employee wellness and development and making 92
the District of Columbia safer for all residents and visitors; 93
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, in his first week as Chief, led the Metropolitan Police 95
Department, assisting agencies and the city of Washington, DC through the historic January 6
th
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insurrection at the United States Capitol and the subsequent investigation and proceedings; 97
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, never forgot about his opportunity to serve as a Cadet 99
and the positive impact it can have on young Washingtonians as he expanded the MPD Cadet 100
Corps to recruit and retain more residents; 101
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, established MPD’s Office of Diversity, Equity and 103
Inclusion and prioritized employee mental health and well-being; 104
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, launched the DC Police Leadership Academy for 106
future police leaders across the world; 107
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, strengthened critical relationships with federal law 109
enforcement agencies to prevent and combat violent crime; 110
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, increased impactful youth engagement through the 112
creation of the Youth Advisory Board and led MPD’s inaugural Youth Summit; 113
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, elevated transparency across the agency; 115
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WHEREAS, Robert J. Contee, III, implemented Active Bystandership for Law 117
Enforcement (ABLE) training for all MPD members; 118
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WHEREAS, Chief Contee is a lifelong learner and chose to continue his academic 120
studies by attending George Washington University earning his bachelor’s degree in Professional 121
Studies with a concentration in Political Science; 122
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WHEREAS, Chief Contee’s professional development continued throughout his career as 124
he completed studies at the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement 125
Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police of the Police Executive Research 126
Forum; 127
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WHEREAS, Chief Contee mentored police executives from across the country as part of 129
the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s Leadership Institute; 130
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WHEREAS, Chief Contee’s motto, “Excellence is Transferrable,” is a reflection of his 132
thirty-three year career with the Metropolitan Police Department; 133
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 135
resolution may be cited as the “Chief Robert J. Contee, III Recognition Resolution of 136 2023”. 137
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and thanks Chief 139
Robert J. Contee, III for his thirty-four years of service to the District of Columbia as a cadet, 140
sworn officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, and Chief of Police for the 141
Metropolitan Police Department. 142
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 144
the District of Columbia Register. 145