Baltimore Police Announce Creation of Professional Standards & Accountability Bureau
Baltimore Police Announce Creation of a Professional Standards Bureau
Baltimore, MD / January 25, 2013 - In continuing efforts to precipitate positive change within the Baltimore Police Department, Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts announced a realignment of staffing including the formation of the Bureau for Professional Standards and Accountability. The new Bureau will focus on ensuring best practices in the fields of integrity and ethics are implemented and upheld within the department.
“In order to maintain a sharp focus on crime reduction and earn the trust of our community, it’s vitally important to ensure our officers meet the highest standards of law enforcement,” says Batts. “This new Bureau will focus on employee conduct from the basics of written directives and Standard Operating Procedures, to a new General Accountability Office which will continue to proactively weed out non-compliant practices within the department.”
Joining the Department as Deputy Commissioner is Jeronimo (Jerry) Rodriguez. Deputy Commissioner Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience in the areas of Internal Affairs, police-involved shootings, and operational command. The recipient of more than a dozen commendations, he served in various Professional Standards capacities with the Los Angeles Police Department including the Force Investigation Division, Internal Affairs Group, and Office of Inspector General. He also served on the high-profile Rampart Corruption Board of Inquiry, conducting a full analysis of issues that may have contributed to the incident and provided findings and recommendations to the Board of Police Commissioners, City Council and the citizens of Los Angeles. In total, DC Rodriguez served 26 years with LAPD.
Rodriguez joins Chief Grayling Williams, who has served as head of Internal Affairs for the past year and has been instrumental in proactively identifying integrity issues within the department and working with state and federal partners to hold officers accountable for their actions. Chief Williams served more than 20 years with the Drug Enforcement Agency before joining BPD in December of last year.
“The addition of DC Rodriguez and formation of this Bureau should send a clear and strong message to both the members of the Baltimore Police Department and our community. We are committed to the highest standards of accountability to our community, and protecting the reputation of the hard-working, ethical members of this agency.”
In addition to the creation of the new Bureau, the Commissioner also promoted Major Paul Abell to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Captain Frederick Stewart to Major, both within the newly named Management Services Division (formerly Administrative Bureau). Lt. Col. Abell will oversee management functions such as finance, training and information services. Major Stewart will remain in his capacity in charge of Human Resources.
“I am committed to helping to reinforce the administrative foundation of this department. This includes updating our general orders, working with the City to better maintain our facilities, and ensuring sound accounting and fiscal practices are in place,” said Batts. “Although these functions aren’t what people typically think of when they think police, if these foundations are not in place, our visible patrol officers and detective cannot efficiently do their jobs. Our professional management staff is vital to the operation of our crime fighting efforts.”
The creation of the Professional Standards & Accountability Bureau and realignment of the Management Services Division is in direct response to issues and concerns voiced by not only current command staff members and employees; but also of those who chose to leave the department. “By examining the reasons why people leave BPD, it’s obvious we must improve in the areas of facilities management, technical and IT services and administrative support,” explained Batts. “These foundational areas are what will help us ensure we are maximizing our resources and serving our community to the best of our ability.”
The promotions and changes within the department take effect Monday, January 28.
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