Christopher Dorsey currently serves as the commander of the Seventh Police District, which encompasses much of the Southeast quadrant of the city, including the neighborhoods of Anacostia, Barry Farm, and Washington Highlands. He was promoted to this position by Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith on September 18, 2024.
Commander Dorsey began his career with the Metropolitan Police Department in December 2006 as a patrol officer in the Third District. In July 2008, he was promoted to Crime Suppression/Vice officer, where he conducted narcotics and prostitution operations, managed confidential informants, and collaborated with federal partners. By February 2013, he had advanced to investigator in the Criminal Investigations Division, where he conducted district-level investigations, analyzed evidence, reviewed video surveillance, and interviewed criminal defendants.
In January 2014, he was promoted to patrol sergeant in the Fifth District, and later that year, to detective sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division. In this role, he oversaw district-level investigations and reviewed arrest and search warrants. Promoted to lieutenant in January 2018, he returned to the Third District, managing crime scenes and ensuring that officers were aware of crime trends and community concerns.
Commander Dorsey became captain in April 2021, taking charge of the Seventh District, where he developed strategic crime plans, managed officer deployments, and conducted monthly community meetings to keep citizens informed of major crime developments. He later transferred to lead the Narcotics and Special Investigations unit, where he presented citywide investigations to the Chief of Police and coordinated joint operations with federal agencies.
In December 2021, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Police Academy, overseeing training operations and fostering partnerships to enhance training opportunities. Since September 2022, he has served as captain in the Criminal Investigations Division, managing investigations across the First, Sixth, and Seventh Districts, coordinating operations with the ATF, and briefing the Chief of Police on non-fatal shootings and significant cases.
Commander Dorsey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2005, where he participated in the College Park Scholars Program. In March 2023, he completed a Master of Arts in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School.