The Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District commander is retiring, effective immediately, according to an email MPD Police Chief Peter Newsham sent to community members Friday evening.
Commander Melvin Gresham has served the community since 1984, having most recently worked as the commander of MPD’s Second District, the email states. The Second District includes parts of Northwest D.C. and includes GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus.
“I am extremely grateful for the many years of service Melvin has provided and for his unwavering commitment to constitutional and unbiased policing in our nation’s capital,” Newsham wrote. “A mentor to both sworn and civilian members alike, I am honored to have worked alongside him throughout his career and I know that he has forged relationships with many of you.”
Gresham will be replaced by Commander Duncan Bedlion, a double alumnus, who has worked for MPD since 2006. Bedlion has most recently served as the commander of the Youth and Family Services Division, the email states.
During his time with MPD, Bedlion has also overseen MPD’s Nightlife Units, served as captain of MPD’s Fifth District and managed the Seventh District’s detective unit, among other roles, according to the email.
Bedlion is “very familiar” with the Second District, since he was a resident from 1999 to 2008 and still lives in D.C., the email states.
“I have all the faith and confidence in his abilities to lead the Second District and mentor our future leaders,” Newsham wrote. “He truly embodies our motto, ‘We are here to help.'”
In a separate release sent to community members later Friday evening, Gresham wrote that he is retiring from MPD after 34 years of service to “explore the private sector” and will “truly miss” the Second District.
“I have been both blessed and honored to have been the commander of such a great community and I will always cherish my service at the Second District,” Gresham wrote. “This experience has made me not only a better manager but an even better human being. Thank you for your support over the years.”
