Baltimore shakes up police force amid worst crime spike since 1970s
So far this year, the city's homicide rate has increased by 48 percent compared with last year; and shootings have increased 86 percent, according to police reports.
So far this year, the city's homicide rate has increased by 48 percent compared with last year; and shootings have increased 86 percent, according to police reports.
The embattled Baltimore police force is getting a major shake up amid amid a city-wide spike in homicides and accusations that department leadership exacerbated the civil unrest following the April death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.聽
On Wednesday, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake fired Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, less than three years after she had hand-picked Mr. Batts to reform to the department. Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis will serve as an interim commissioner.
Batts pledged that his department will continue to 鈥減rogress at reducing violent crime and holding accountable those that perpetrate violence in our good streets,鈥� at a swearing-in ceremony in November 2012.聽But since crime levels have gotten worse.
The city is currently experiencing the worst crime spike since the 1970s. So far this year, the city's homicide rate has increased by 48 percent compared with last year; and shootings have increased 86 percent,聽according to police reports.
At the same time, police tactics have also come under scrutiny. Last fall the Baltimore Sun reported that the the city had paid out $5.7 million since 2011聽to settle lawsuits over allegations of police brutality. Freddie Gray's death resulting from a spinal chord injury incurred during his arrest reignited controversy over the way Baltimore police treat suspects in custody. Police response to the protests sparked by Mr. Gray's death have prompted further criticisms.
Also on Wednesday, the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police,聽released a post mortem report聽saying that 鈥渢he riots were preventable.鈥�
The report questions Batts decision to request additional assistance of the National Guard and suggested that his direct orders to officers not to engage any protesters had exacerbated the situation. The report states:
Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that Batts鈥� presence had become a distraction in a city that need to focus on ending its high homicide rate,聽the Baltimore Sun聽reported.
"Too many continue to die on our streets, including three just last night and one lost earlier today," Rawlings-Blake said. "Families are tired of feeling this pain, and so am I.... We need a change."