Baltimore’s troubled police force gets new acting leader
Posted Feb 11, 2019 01:07:44 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BALTIMORE — A veteran police leader from New Orleans has arrived in Baltimore, tasked with reforming a troubled force while reducing one of the country’s highest violent crime rates.
Monday is Michael Harrison’s first day leading the Baltimore Police Department as acting commissioner. The City Council will decide on his nomination next month.
Recent years have been tumultuous for the department. Harrison is the fourth police commissioner of Mayor Catherine Pugh’s roughly 2-year-old administration.
Harrison says he will not tread cautiously on rooting out wrongdoing, asserting “there will be no tolerance for corruption” under his watch. He says the department must have a “very robust” internal affairs division.
He also says he’s eager to advocate for Baltimore’s demoralized officers and ensure they get the resources they need to be successful.
David McFadden, The Associated Press
