* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Scott
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Gun Trace Task Force - Getting to the Bottom of the Corruption
For the purpose of calling on the Baltimore Police Department to convene an investigation, conducted by a trusted and independent entity outside of the Department, in order to fully delve into how the Gun Trace Task Force was permitted to operate in such a reckless and corrupt manner and inviting the Baltimore Police Department to come before the City Council to discuss that investigation's findings.
body
Recitals
It is not hyperbole to state that the convictions of the Baltimore City police officers associated with the Gun Trace Task Force have done immeasurable damage to the Department’s reputation and have stretched the confidence and trust that our communities have in the Department to its outer limits. Moreover, we recently learned that approximately 800 criminal cases have been tainted by these officers and may have to be thrown out or overturned. Indeed, this corruption was exposed all while the Department is under a federal consent decree to align and reform its policing practices to constitutional norms and standards.
Yet despite the damage that those lawless individuals have wrought on our City and despite the setbacks they have placed in making in-roads of confidence with our communities, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner testified before the State Commission to Restore Trust in Policing several weeks ago that “we have not done a deep dive to make the assessment of what happened with these individuals that was missed.” This is a mistake.
It is axiomatic that those who do not learn from their history are doomed to repeat it. By not conducting a full, independent, and transparent investigation, we are missing an opportunity to learn how the Gun Trace Task Force was able to exact its gang-like behavior for so long. More importantly, we are missing an opportunity to ensure that this conduct is never able to occur again in the City of Baltimore and to truly remake our Police Department into one that every Baltimorean can be proud of.
Failing to investigate should not be an option. The Baltimore Police Department needs to do the right thing and convene an internal investigation, conducted by an independent entity outside of the Department, to look into the how the corruption of the Gun Trace Task Force was permitted to fester and how we can restore trust and accountability that our citizens demand of their police department.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council calls on the Baltimore Police Department to convene an investigation, conducted by a trusted and independent entity outside of the Department, in order to fully delve into how the Gun Trace Task Force was permitted to operate in such a reckless and corrupt manner and invites officials from the Baltimore Police Department to come before the City Council to discuss that investigation’s findings.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the City Solicitor, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.