DEA Chief Takes Charge of Washington's Police Force in Unprecedented Move

Strategic Insights -

Terry Cole, a seasoned veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration with over 22 years of experience, has been tasked with leading the federal law enforcement takeover of Washington's police force. Cole's background is marked by stints in Colombia, Afghanistan, and Mexico City, where he was part of the U.S.-backed effort to fight drug cartels and public corruption. He later served as a DEA group supervisor in Dallas, targeting the trafficking networks of violent Mexican groups. Cole's experience in tackling Latin American drug trafficking organizations will likely serve him well as he navigates the complexities of Trump's aggressive pushes to fight these organizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cole spent 22 years with the DEA, including stints in Colombia, Afghanistan, and Mexico City, where he was part of the U.S.-backed effort to fight drug cartels and public corruption.
  • Cole served as a DEA group supervisor in Dallas, targeting the trafficking networks of violent Mexican groups.
  • He has experience in tackling Latin American drug trafficking organizations, including being part of Plan Colombia.
  • Cole led the DEA as it handled a Biden Justice Department proposal to loosen restrictions on marijuana.
  • He will serve as the interim federal administrator of the D.C. police department, tasked with marshaling the department's officers and federal agents to crack down on crime.
  • Cole will have full, seamless, integrated cooperation at all levels of law enforcement and will deploy officers across the District with an overwhelming presence.
  • Cole's role remains unclear, with the DEA not responding to a request to clarify how he would split his duties between the two law enforcement agencies.
  • D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said the city remains in control of the department, with Chief Pamela Smith directing the 3,100 members of the Metropolitan Police Department.
  • Cole met with Smith on Monday evening and acknowledged that the federal team needs the D.C. police department's leadership on the effort.

Statistics:

  • 22 years: The length of time Cole spent with the DEA.
  • 10,000+ employees: The number of employees Cole leads in the DEA.
  • $5.7 billion: The annual budget Cole managed as Virginia's secretary of public safety and homeland security.
  • 3,100 members: The number of members in the Metropolitan Police Department that work under Chief Pamela Smith's direction.
  • Over 10,000 deaths: The approximate number of deaths in the United States from synthetic opioids like fentanyl over the past decade.

Sources:

  • President Donald Trump
  • DEA (no date provided)
  • D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (no date provided)
  • Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s nonvoting member of Congress (no date provided)
  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) (no date provided)
  • Emily Davies, Katie Mettler, and Erin Cox (no date provided)