Today on NewsTalk, DC police chief Cathy Lanier defended the decision to have firefighters positioned throughout the city on the days teens in the summer jobs program get paid. And she rejected suggestions from the police union that firefighters are untrained for such work – or that the move is proof MPD is short-staffed.

Lanier also provided candid assessments of the Inspector General’s report on the controversial Charlie Sheen escort, which she said wasn’t as broad as the review she has ordered, and she admitted that the report contradicted testimony she provided the Council. She offered an update on efforts to help a local gun-dealer find a new location, and commented on the arrest of an officer accused of forcing himself on sex workers.

Later in the hour, Councilman Phil Mendelson also endorsed the decision to have firefighters help prevent robberies. And he spoke disapprovingly of the committee changes ordered up this week by Council Chairman Kwame Brown.

The link to today’s show is here:

Monday at 10am: City Paper reporter Alan Suderman and local real estate expert John Heithaus