City announces new chief of Mount Rainier Police Department

MOUNT RAINIER, Md. (DC News Now) — There is a new chief in the city of Mount Rainier. Officials announced on Tuesday that Katherine Perez was appointed as the new Chief of the Mount Rainier Police Department.

Perez takes the position alongside Assistant Chief Andre Williams, who has been with the Mount Rainier Police Department for 26 years and recently served as the acting chief.

City officials said Perez has an extensive background in law enforcement, leadership and community engagement. She studied at Trinity College, where she obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Perez then began her career in Connecticut, where she rose to Captain and Commander of the Major Crimes Bureau, before moving to Maryland. She previously served as the Chief of Police for the city of District Heights.

Perez later made history as the first Chief of Police for the Bowie Police Department. She is credited with building Bowie’s department from the ground up, establishing a legacy of excellence and integrity.

In addition to her roles in law enforcement, Perez was also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and an instructor for the U.S. Department of Justice in Community Policing and Diversity.

Perez was sworn in on Tuesday, Sept. 16.