home

Policing the Baltimore Police

By TChris, Section Misconduct
Posted on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 07:51:00 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The former head of Internal Affairs at the Baltimore Police Department, Joann Branche, says "the department is rife with corruption and turns a blind eye to bad officers patrolling the streets." Branche was fired in April for allegedly backdating documents so that disciplinary charges (which must be filed within a year of the alleged misconduct) would appear to have been timely filed. The president of the black police officers' union claims that Branche allowed charges against white officers to lapse while she pursued charges against black officers.

Blanche was fired five months after being promoted and given a $30,000 raise, a fact that lends some credibility to her contention that charging decisions were micromanaged by a Deputy Police Commissioner who interfered with her decision-making. According to Blanche, punishment was based on who the accused officer knew and back-door deals were struck with officers who were well connected.

[more ...]

There were instances where recommendations for punishment were not followed. In fact, there were cases that should be punished that were dismissed," she said.

Blanche might be a disgruntled ex-employee who was legitimately fired. The fact that Blanche is black doesn't negate the possibility that she favored white officers over black officers. The only thing that's clear is that Blanche is correct in her assertion that some of the dismissed claims should have been pursued.

One high-profile case dismissed accused two white officers of forcing a black coworker to view racist material on the Internet. Another regarded the southwest district's flex squad in which officers were accused of raping a woman inside the police station.

Whether the white officers were protected by Blanche or by the department's power structure, it's clear that something needs to change in the way the department's disciplinary process is administered. Blanche has made the sensible suggestion that the mayor should "create an outside entity to handle police misconduct cases." Through a spokesperson, the mayor responded that she doesn't intend to do so. Why not?

< Children of the Incarcerated Paying a Steep Price | Department of Obvious Questions >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Policing the Baltimore Police | 4 comments (4 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    because, well, (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by cpinva on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 07:16:12 AM EST
    Through a spokesperson, the mayor responded that she doesn't intend to do so. Why not?

    every single bal'mor police officer would quit, immediately. further, bal'mor would never, ever be able to hire any replacement police officers. at least, that's what the police would have us, and the mayor, believe.

    obviously, that's not true, and it's an insult to the majority of officers who do their jobs honorably and professionally. of course, they aren't looking to be re-elected.

    in fairness, this is a problem all over the country, not just baltimore; elected officials abrogating their responsibility to ensure that those in law enforcement act within the law.

    Protecting the bad apples. (none / 0) (#2)
    by Fabian on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 08:44:03 AM EST
    That's something I loathe.  

    It starts at the top (none / 0) (#3)
    by NMvoiceofreason on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 10:08:05 AM EST
    Our police chief, Ray Schultz, has a longstanding commitment to not only treat claims of misconduct seriously, but to use advanced tools and reporting techniques to manage the force. By doing this, he helps those officers who are struggling in the higher crime areas of the city, and gives warning notice to those who are stepping over the line. If you commit a crime as a police officer, then you will be prosecuted, just like anyone else.

    So Baltimore needs to replace the police chief (and probably most of the higher staff; captains, commanders, etc.). They should pay whatever amount is necessary to hire Ray Schultz or someone exactly like him, to rebuild a culture in the police department that conforms to the law and rebuilds the public trust.

    There is a good (none / 0) (#5)
    by JamesTX on Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 11:09:10 AM EST
    reason for not doing it:

    Through a spokesperson, the mayor responded that she doesn't intend to do so. Why not?

    It is a tacit admission that something other than arbitrary administrative authority is needed to ensure justice.

    Policing the Baltimore Police | 4 comments (4 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment