Baltimore Police Department

Baltimore Police Department

The consent decree is an agreement between parties submitted in writing to a court. The document becomes legally binding once a judge approves it. According to investigations conducted by the Department of Justice, the Baltimore police department was involved in actions that violated the first, 4th, and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution, as well as other provisions of federal statutory law. This led to the Baltimore police department, and the department of justice entering into a consent decree in April 2017 after a public hearing from the community members sought to gain feedback and support for the decree.

The first amendment guarantees freedom concerning religion, the right to petition, and the expression and assembly of the citizens. The fourth amendment involves The right of citizens to be safe and protected in their persons, residences, publications, and effects against unlawful search and seizure, which shall not be infringed upon. Warrants shall not be issued unless there is probable cause, backed by an affidavit, and specifically, the position to be searched and the persons or things to be the size. Finally, the 14th amendment allowed citizenship to all persons in the US, along with formerly enslaved people, and assured equal treatment under the law to all citizens.

The consent decree aimed to reform the police department and build the community’s trust in them. The decree’s requirements center on fostering community trust, fostering a problem-solving policing culture, prohibiting illegal stops and arrests, preventing discriminatory policing and excessive force, ensuring public and officer safety, increasing officer accountability, and implementing necessary technological upgrades. The parties will jointly recommend to the court an independent monitor to assess whether the agreement’s requirements are being met. The independent monitor will report publicly on BPD’s implementation efforts regularly.

Impartial policing is achieved when the police department is objective, fair, and impartial in all dealings. However, for a very long time, cases of biased policing have been witnessed all over Baltimore. Many arrests were made, and stop searches and arrests mainly consisted of the city’s black residents. The police resorted to physical violence even without provocation because the black citizen eroded the trust between the community and the BPD. From 2010 to 2010, for every 100 black pedestrians, they were prone to be stopped 52times, concerning the white citizens were only 18times. This indicated the type of racial biases practiced by the BPD.

Several policies implemented to eradicate impartial policing were laid out in the consent decree. First, the police officers are needed to be courteous and respectful. All community members should be treated courteously, with respect, and with professionalism, and avoid using harassing, intimidating, or derogatory language. Officers must also be equitable and respectful while delivering services and conducting their daily duties. Any arrests made should be made with dignity regardless of the individual race. This enhances community engagement, trust, and confidence in the police department. Any stops made required the officers to introduce themselves and explain to the person, as soon as possible, the reason for the contact unless providing this information will compromise the investigation or the safety of members or other persons. Also, the stop’s length should be no longer necessary for the said offense. This will foster community trust.

The community members appreciated the reforms and needed one for the police department. The policies implemented were effective; however, improvements should be made to deal with the shortages in the department. The BPD should implement ways to retain officers to allow them to serve the public without encountering burnout. The officers should strive to improve daily and serve as community role models.

Works Cited

 “Baltimore Police Department.” Baltimore Police Department, www.baltimorepolice.org/transparency/consent-decree-basics.

“Consent Decree Report: BPD Makes Progress in Reforms, Still Needs Improvement in Staffing.” WBAL, 17 May 2021, www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-police-department-still-needs-improvement-in-staffing-public-integrity-bureau/36451240#.

Max Ehrenfreund. “The case that policing in Baltimore is racially biased, in seven charts”. The Washington Post, 11 Aug 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/08/11/the-case-that-policing-in-Baltimore-is-racially-biased-in-seven-charts/.