COVER STORY
giving back, Brother Contee believes, “Giving back to your community is one of the greatest gifts one can give. I am fortunate to work in a city and in a de- partment where there’s always opportu- nities to serve our community. The need is so great in some areas of the city, but there are few people/groups who are ac- tually willing to do the consistent work that needs to be done to effect change. As a police chief and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, I am able to use my platform to ensure service is an important part of what we do as law enforcement of- ficers to build relationships in some of the most underserved communities in Washington, D.C.” In discussing his most important role as chief in the context of service to others, Contee expressed, “My most important role as a police chief is to build relationships with communities so that there will be strong partnerships in community. An important part of build- ing relationships is being in service to others. So, in a way, many of my duties with respect to service as a law enforce- ment officer are aligned with the Kappa spirit of service.” Other brothers expressed delight in Contee's elevation. “Brother Robert J. Contee III exemplifies the true meaning of our sacred oath," stated Charles A. Gilbert, (Alpha Xi 1980). "His humil- ity, integrity, and transparency, affords him the ability to successfully maneuver within diverse situations without fan- fare. Brother Contee’s leadership skills resulted in decades of achievement, resulting in a positive impact on our community. Brother Contee, I salute you and I appreciate you!”
ships based on the tenets of com- munication, cooperation, collabora- tion and participation • Focus on the mental health and wellness of police officers. When officers are not well, there are adverse impacts in Black and Brown communities in the form of exces- sive use of force and other forms of harassment When asked to share some perspec- tive on the United States Capitol Riots regarding readiness/preparation, lead- ership and command, Chief Contee stated, “For Metropolitan Police De- partment of the District of Columbia, there are lot of collaborations in terms of preparation for any event that oc- curs in the city of Washington, D.C., it falls within the purview of several law enforcement agencies e.g., the U. S. Capitol Police, U. S. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia our department all working together to ensure the safety and security, particularly when Ameri- cans elect to express their First Amend- ment Right.” “For Metropolitan Police Depart- ment of the District of Columbia, Joint Session of Congress to certify the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election on January 6, 2021 was not a regular event, given the news and plans noted on social media surrounding the Joint Session of Congress. The posture that Metropoli- tan Police Department of the District of Columbia needed to take was a very aggressive posture including working with Army National Guard to respond to any given situation. My primary area of responsibility is the City of Washing- ton D.C. For example, as Chief, I must consider what resources to send to assist with this type of event because of juris- diction. Several decisions are considered and executed in very real-time such as establishing a curfew, type of munitions utilization which are all a requisite test of leadership, situational awareness, to include making decisions that will oth- erwise be reviewed from the perspective of the “Monday Morning Quarterback” by the media and the public. The U.S.
Capitol Riot provided true-life context of watching a game from television (vir- tual) versus playing in the game (‘on the ground’)…it is existentially and pro- foundly different when confronted with the live setting where the Vice President of the United States, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate were at risk and in fatal danger for their lives…the United States Capitol was a ‘War Zone’.” On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, during a press briefing post Mayor Bowser’s announcement, Brother Contee stated “many of the challenges and traumas experienced by so many young people today were very real and present in my community, but also in my home, Contee said, noting that crime, poverty, and educational and health disparities were all present in his community. Chief Contee worked a series of jobs as a teenager and took part in Mayor Marion Barry’s Youth Leadership Institute, and eventually becoming a D.C. police cadet at 17 years old, which he called a ‘pivotal moment’… “It changed my entire life, he said Tuesday, noting that those experiences will help him lead the department…it was these and other opportunities that helped shape the man I am today.” Brother Contee will also be the city’s first Black police chief since Charles Ramsey in the early 2000s. In March, the D.C. Council’s public safety committee unanimously supported Brother Contee as the District’s new po- lice chief, saying his wrenching personal story of growing up amid drugs and crime makes him sensitive to overreaches by police. All five members of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety voted to support Contee, sending his name to the full council to approve his four-year term. φν π
As to Chief Contee's vision:
"My vision is very simple and
straightforward: • Prevent violent crime in Washing- ton, D.C., through focused law enforcement efforts. People have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes and community • Build strong community partner-
Opposite page: Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser presents her nomination of Brother Contee as the Metro DC Chief of Police. His wife, Silhouette Asure Merritt, son and daughter are on hand with his command staff.
14 | WINTER 2020-SPRING 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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