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Before Metropolitan Police Department Officer John Bewley pleaded guilty to showing up drunk—in his take-home police cruiser, with emergency lights flashing, while off duty—at the scene of his fiancee’s DUI arrest, the 13-year veteran of the force had racked up a lengthy record of sustained misconduct, according to City Paper’s review of police investigations and public records.
Some of the allegations against Bewley are relatively minor: using MPD’s computers to research Bitcoin and neglecting to write police reports, for example. Other internal investigations into Bewley are more serious. He has been involved in at least one shooting (the victim survived, and Bewley was cleared of wrongdoing), and at least two vehicle pursuits that violated department policy.
Most of the investigations that City Paper reviewed resulted in few actual repercussions for Bewley other than official reprimands or “education-based development” where he’s been instructed to re-read MPD’s general orders or receive additional training. (Bewley has acknowledged in court testimony that he was suspended as the result of at least one OPC investigation.)
Among his peers in the department, Bewley stands out as a “leader” and as a “respected” and “trustworthy” officer who specializes in getting guns and drugs off the streets, according to officers who’ve worked with him. But among some civilians and attorneys—including a prosecutor who felt the need to apologize to a jury in open court for Bewley’s behavior—Bewley has a reputation for being an aggressive officer with credibility issues.
Now, the Marine Corps veteran and former member of MPD’s notorious Gun Recovery Unit is facing termination for his drunk driving arrest.
A panel of MPD officials heard the evidence against Bewley during an adverse action hearing late last year. Bewley declined to comment for this story, but during the hearing, he asked for leniency—a suspension in lieu of termination—and provided examples of other officers who were also arrested for drunk driving and got to keep their jobs. The adverse action panel was scheduled to issue a recommendation this week, which will not be publicly announced. Bewley’s fate ultimately rests with Chief Pamela Smith.
For more about the case and Bewley’s history, read the full article on our website.
—Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Credit: Darrow Montgomery
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Credit: Darrow Montgomery
Page Three Photos, 2025
Page Three is our regular column from staff photographer Darrow Montgomery.
Residents at the Quebec House apartments in Cleveland Park have been dealing with a rat infestation for three months. “When you’re standing in the elevators you can hear them scurrying their feet and squeaking running right above you,” one tenant says. The building’s managers say they’re aware of the problem and are working to address it. [WUSA9]
Antiabortion demonstrators are participating in the March for Life Friday (today). Expect road closures around the National Mall. [Post, WUSA9]
The giant pandas are finally making their debut. Starting today you can visit Bao Li and Qing Bao at the zoo and watch them on the Giant Panda Cam. [WTOP]
By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)
President Donald Trump’s pardons of Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky have left civil rights activists bereft. They were the first D.C. cops ever to be convicted of crimes while on duty for their involvement in the fatal crash of Karon Hylton-Brown in 2020, which advocates viewed as a rare measure of justice for police. “These pardons, and the pardons of the [Jan. 6] insurrectionists, say something about who counts as victims and who doesn’t,” says Patrice Sulton of the DC Justice Lab. [Post, Informer]
Mayor Muriel Bowser dishes to the Washington Business Journal on the surprisingly strong state of the office market, the RFK Stadium deal, and even her plans for a potential reelection bid in 2026. [WBJ]
Councilmembers and other elected officials listened to budget priorities from local high schoolers at the D.C. Girls Coalition Youth Town Hall. Concerns about housing, gun violence near schools, and safe drinking water dominated the conversation. [Informer]
By Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Butterworth’s in Capitol Hill is the new hangout for Trump cronies. Steve Bannon and House Speaker Mike Johnson have dined there, and Raheem Kassam, a former co-host on Bannon’s show, is an investor. The restaurant serves organic wine instead of Budweiser and bone marrow instead of burgers. [WSJ]
A group of local food activists and community gardeners are the masterminds behind Initiative 83, which passed in November and calls for the implementation of ranked choice voting and opens primaries to independent voters. [Eater]
By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Credit: Dorvall Bedford
Strutman Lane Are Hitting Overdrive
The pop and soul-oriented local band are set to release their self-titled sophomore EP, tour the East Coast, and plan to play on the moon someday.
There Has Never Been a Ghost Story Like Presence
Steven Soderbergh’s first foray into horror finds a new way to scare, understanding that every haunted house story is essentially a tragedy.
February is Black History Month and there are an abundance of events planned throughout the city to celebrate, including a game show hosted by Historically Black Phrases co-authors Tre’vell Anderson and Jarrett Hill and the Black History Film Festival. [Washingtonian]
The Kennedy Center’s Gregg Henry has been named the recipient of Theatre Washington’s 2025 Victor Shargai Leadership Award. A respected theater director, Henry has led dozens of programs and workshops at the center for almost 25 years. The award recognizes individuals, groups, or institutions who’ve strengthened the local theater scene. [DC Theater Arts]
By Sarah Marloff (tips? smarloff@washingtoncitypaper.com)
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