Chief Katherine Perez, the City of Mount Rainier Police Department’s new Chief of Police, has received recognition from Washington, D.C., in the form of a congratulatory letter from Senator Chris Van Hollen.

In his letter, dated September 16, 2025, Senator Van Hollen extended his personal greetings on her appointment, highlighting her new role as the culmination of her hard work and commitment throughout her career.

The senator praised Perez's distinguished career in law enforcement and her dedication to building strong, community-centered departments. He stated that her experience would be a great asset in keeping Mount Rainier residents safe and expressed his confidence that she would continue to work with dedication and determination to achieve her goals and protect the community.

State representatives also plan to officially celebrate the new police leadership at the city's upcoming Public Safety Night on October 4 at the Mount Rainier Nature Center.