2011 Coppin State university Criminal Justice Symposium

Baltimore Police Departmentoffice of the police commissioner

Media Relations Section

Baltimore Police Departmentoffice of the police commissioner

Media Relations Section

Making it happen

Working to rebuild and strengthen relationships between police and communities is not a short-term goal; it is a long-term lasting relationship. Our path to rebuild trust has started to see results. A 300% increase in citizens reporting crime, community members volunteering to sit on police promotion panels for the first time in history, and the generosity of countless citizens and businesses donating more than $500,000 to help rebuild the Southeast District Station House stand as examples.There is no better proof of trust starting to build than last year when the parents of 150 children placed the care of their own in the hands of our officers as we held the first Baltimore Police Explorer Summer Camp. There is no static line by which we can measure success or failure. We know that many parts of our community are still in pain. Much of that pain comes from wounds that run deep. Seeing the smiles on the faces of children as they played with officers is a clear indication of the importance of the work we are engaged in. As we work to fix the problems of today we should never lose sight of the next generation and the impact that has on the future.There is no argument that the Baltimore Police Department has a history in some communities that is concerning. It does not take away from the hard work of thousands of dedicated officers willing to risk their lives to make Baltimore safer. What is also true is the series of reforms that have been put into place further improve police community relations. Independent reviews have highlighted areas of concern in procedure or policy. More than 60% of the reforms have been enacted as a result of those independent evaluations. A nationally recognized expert in police training was hired to lead the Professional Development and Training Academy. A new curriculum being taught to recruits and at In-Service is a first of its kind in Maryland. It is built around constitutional policing and teaches recruits how to be empathetic, how to deescalate situations, and how to police for the next generation.The department is keenly aware of the significant challenges both the community and police face in Western District. The focus of not only police, but the city, remain there. While we recognize this is no solace for those who are victimized, let us not forget overall Part I crime, the most serious crime isdown 4%.The Baltimore Sun omits the fact that BPD has been forthcoming and transparent about allegations, as much as the law allows. The stories again profile lawsuits filed about incidents that took place in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and one incident in 2012. All of the profiled incidents took place before this administration started or began to enact reforms in the discipline process. How these issues are dealt with, and what is done to prevent them is what our community and our critics should study. With that in mind, some facts: In the last 2 years more than 25 employees have been terminated as a result of misconduct.

Nearly 50 employees in total have been separated from the agency since Commissioner Batts was appointed

At the same time the trial board process (the mechanism by which officers are held accountable) went from a 50% conviction rate in 2012 to a 91% conviction rate currently.

The system has also been designed to ensure that officers who face false accusations have those complaints investigated fairly as well, ensuring that when an officer is in fact culpable the system works to hold them accountable.

The entire executive staff now approves or disapproves the hiring of new officers to make every effort to ensure the very best candidates are hired.

More than 90% of the Command Staff is newly promoted or in new positions consist with the philosophy the police department to help bring about systemic change in the department.

The BPD reached out to the Department of Justice to accelerate reform and accountability practices. Our members past and present deserve no less. Our community deserves only the most exceptional police department. The Baltimore Police Department has a proud legacy of service. We would be negligent if we didnt tap into any resource possible to help improve the relationship between the community and the department. The decision should be applauded for what it was, a genuine attempt to begin the reform process that began in October of 2012.Everyone would like nothing more than to wave a wand to omit history and grievances, the police department is committed to seeking and implementing long-lasting, effective solutions built for the real world. In that vein, here again, are some facts that empirically show progress: At the end of 2014 we announced that discourtesy complaints, citizens complaining about officer conduct, were down 54%.

As we end the 5-month point this year, we have an additional 22% reduction, on top of the 54% reduction last year. That is a staggering indication that change is taking hold.

Overall complaints to Internal Affairs are down 14% year-to-date, from last years record-breaking lows.

We continue to see the number of lawsuits against the city decrease.

2014 was the lowest year for police-involved shootings in more than a decade and this year we are on pace to match those numbers or go even lower. These are numbers that are verifiable and speak to the training and accountability measures that have been put into place.

At the end of 2014, five short months ago, the city experienced a drop in crime in every measureable category. We did that while reducing excessive force complaints, dropping discourtesy complaints, and with the fewest arrests on record, all verifiable numbers.

2014 also showed that by every measurable metric that a modern-day police department is measured by the crime plan, reforms and training worked.

The challenges of deep poverty, education levels, and systems perceived to disenfranchise is much larger than the Baltimore Police Department. However this is a grand opportunity to change and grow.

We understand fully the concern over the recent violence. Nothing is more important than the sanctity of human life. The conversations about numbers and reform miss an important point. We are talking about real people. We are talking about real families. We are talking about the real future of our city. We will shoulder the hard work that is before us. That is our solemn duty and sacred oath. It is the mantle we picked up in 2012 and one that we carry today. Real change is taking place. Real reform is underway. We are moving towards a new future.

The Baltimore Police Department is made up of many of strong character and can do heroes. I have faith they will show how strong their characters are and how they respond to adversity. They will show how they grow and change making everyone proud as they shame the naysayers. The future is ours to make.15