April 2021 - Keep Maryland Safe

Federal Judge Overseeing Baltimore Police Cautions Against Defunding Department For Now

Posted on April 30, 2021May 13, 2021 by Laura Toraldo

A federal judge overseeing the Baltimore City Police Department said Friday new police reform align with calls to defund the police.

However, he’s cautioning against defunding the department for now.

In Friday’s hearing, the topic of conversation was trust. How can officers rebuild trust within the community as well as with each other. Officers said some of the changes they’ve been implementing are aligning with nationwide calls for change.

It’s the latest federal court hearing on police reform in the city. Read more on WJZ.

Baltimore Police are being trained to step in when fellow officers cross the line. Will it prevent misconduct?

Posted on April 19, 2021May 13, 2021 by Laura Toraldo

About a dozen Baltimore Police officers watch a cellphone video posted to YouTube of people looting a phone store in Seattle. On the screen, two Seattle officers stop a man, take him to the ground and attempt to handcuff him.

A crowd forms, and onlookers start shouting at the officers after one puts his knee on the man’s neck. The second officer pushes his colleague’s knee off in response. Read more in the Baltimore Sun.

Hogan Vetoes Three Police Reform Bills, Override Votes Begin in Final Hours of Session

Posted on April 9, 2021May 13, 2021 by Laura Toraldo

Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) vetoed three of five bills from the General Assembly’s bicameral police reform package Friday evening — and about an hour after the public announcement, the override vote on a bill from Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) was underway.

“These bills would undermine the goal that I believe we share of building transparent, accountable, and effective law enforcement institutions and instead further erode police morale, community relationships, and public confidence,” Hogan said in a veto letter. “They will result in great damage to police recruitment and retention, posing significant risks to public safety throughout our state.” Read more on Maryland Matters.