Referring to them as a beacon of hope in the community, Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey today administered the oath to 44 newly promoted lieutenants of the Metropolitan Police Department during a ceremony at the Voice of America Auditorium, at 4th and Independence Avenue, SW.

During the ceremony,, Ramsey indicated that the new lieutenants will be setting the tone and the standards for their officers and in their new positions , their role will be critical to community policing within the city's neighborhoods. Ramsey told the new officials, "you will be the point person for community policing. If community policing in our city is to continue to grow, it will do so because of the work done in the PSAs (patrol service areas)."

As added emphasis to the Department's commitment to community policing, all 44 of the newly promoted lieutenants will be assigned to the seven police districts in order to better direct the crime-fighting and community policing strategies implemented by the Department.

Friday's promotions were the second in a series of promotions Ramsey announced to the department in December. Later this month, and in March, 70 police officers and detectives will be promoted to sergeant. Earlier this month, the Chief administered the oath to 10 new captains. All of these officials are also being assigned to district operations.

The following were promoted to lieutenant: