DC 911 Chief Resigns, Effective Jan. 25, Amid Audit

The chief of the nation's capital city 911 system, Karima Holmes, has resigned and will stay on until after the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. Office of Unified Communications Director Holmes several days ago gave her resignation to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and it was accepted, said OUC's spokesperson.

The District's auditor has been examining dispatching accuracy in the 911 center Holmes has overseen for about five years. Communications Daily for much of 2020 has investigated such problems, finding that rescue personnel have been sent to wrong addresses, slowing response times. Members of Congress have voiced concern. For reaction to the latest Communications Daily report on D.C. 911 errors, see here and here.

Holmes is leaving effective Jan. 25, OUC's spokesperson said in a phone interview Monday night. The director got a job offer from the private sector in California, the representative said. It "fell into Karima’s lap" and "it seemed to be the right thing at the right time," she said. "She was recruited." The name of the industry employer isn't known.

Bowser's office didn't comment right away.