D.C. Police Chief Czar Ousted

Today’s discussion stems from an article in the Washington Examiner entitled “D.C. Police Chief Czar Ousted.” The publication centers on D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s termination of her Chief Information Officer Travis Hudnull. Hudnall’s firing was provoked by his denial of letting D.C. Net (the telecommunications agency under the Office of the Chief Technology Officer) tie a wireless router into the Homicide unit’s information system. Upon acknowledgement of the tie in a credible source stated that Hudnall ordered M.P.D. to disconnect the router. Hudnull contracted Verizon to install the state of the art system, and incorporated it into M.P.D.’s budget. The District Government had just opened up a brand new Department of Motor Vehicles next door. They (O.C.T.O which is under the authority of the mayor) installed the necessary hardware, but did not have it connected to the internet.

                That was the reasoning for O.C.T.O. installing and tying in the router into M.P.D.’s homicide unit’s system. Understanding the illegalities of the tie in Hudnall stated that it was illegal, and that it compromised valuable data. He further stated that it can and will open up a security breach. By disconnecting the router Hudnall refused to jeopardize his and his department’s integrity. Afterwards he refused to turn over the systems (police applications) to O.C.T.O. For his actions he was accused of attempting to build his on empire. This man took an archaic Police Department still doing reports on carbon paper, and turned it into a world class agency with tough books in every squad car. He issued every employee (civilian and non-civilian) blackberries, making the entire department virtually paperless. With all of that being said none his accolades or technological advancements. We’re not enough to overcome the wrath of the political machine with in the Government of the District of Columbia.