Washington, D.C. (Map, News) - The commander behind D.C.'s foundering efforts to build a high-tech crime lab has been removed from his position, The Examiner has learned.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced the transfer of Cmdr. Christopher M. "Lojo" LoJacono Friday.

Lanier publicly supported LoJacono as late as February, even as she was stripping him of his authority over D.C.'s laboratory technicians.

LoJacono declined comment. Under his direction, the city's decades-old effort to build a high-tech crime lab suffered repeated setbacks. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of grants were "reprogramed" and few scientists were trained in 21st century forensics.

Former Council Member Kathy Patterson, a champion of the DNA lab, often clashed with LoJacono and accused him and the police brass of "foot-dragging."

Police spokeswoman Traci L. Hughes declined comment.

LoJacono's transfer was part of the second major reshuffling of the department's leadership in as many years. Among those moved were the popular commanders of the 2nd and 3rd police districts in Northwest, Andy Solberg and Larry McCoy. Solberg is now "a field commander" in the department's patrol division, working nights, and McCoy is moving to the newly created intelligence unit.

McCoy and Solberg said they were "disappointed" to leave their districts, but both said they were excited about their new assignments.

Neighborhood leaders said they were sorry to see the two commanders go. Typical was the response of Nancy MacWood, an advisory neighborhood commission chair in Woodley and Cleveland Parks, who said that Solberg's removal was "quite a blow."

In Lanier's previous shakeup last year, she demoted several prominent leaders, including Cmdr. Robin Hoey. Hoey challenged the demotion and was ordered reinstated by a city hearing officer.

The latest command shuffle comes as Lanier continues to struggle with organizing the force to address D.C.'s persistent violent crime.

Some are worried Lanier has created so many top jobs in various reorganizations that the department has become top heavy.

"The amount of command officials that the department now has is staggering," police union chair Kristopher Baumann said. "I would certainly hope that with those kind of salaries, we will see immediate results and immediate changes in crime patterns."

D.C. POLICE SHAKEUP

OUT:

Andy Solberg, commander of 2nd district

Larry McCoy, commander of 3rd district

Christopher LoJacono, commander of forensic science division

IN:

George Kucik, commander of 3rd District

Mark Carter, commander of 2nd District

bmyers@dcexaminer.com

smccabe@dcexaminer.com