* 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: Councilmember Young
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Police Department Shortages and Suspensions
FOR the purpose of requesting the Baltimore Police Commissioner to brief the City Council regarding the number of officers currently suspended from their positions, the different types of suspensions available for use in disciplining officers, the number of officers on paid suspensions, and the impact of these suspensions on the Department's current crime fighting strategies.
Body
Recitals
With the Baltimore Police Department already short staffed, and with current budget concerns in the City, the number of police officers on paid suspensions has become an important issue. With recruitment at a standstill and the crime rate in Baltimore holding steady, the citizens of Baltimore need all of the officers sworn to protect and serve them on the streets as much as possible.
The number of police officers on paid suspensions is a concern. When the number of suspended officers goes up, it creates the need for officers currently on duty to work more overtime hours to help keep the streets of Baltimore safe. With the current overtime caps in place and a high number of officers on paid suspensions, there could be too few officers on the streets at any given time. While the Police Department has made many advances in the way of recruiting new officers to the force, there is still a 6-month training program that new cadets must go through before being able to hit the streets.
This informational hearing will allow the Council to learn about the suspension process, how many officers are on paid suspensions at any given time, and how these suspensions affect the current crime fighting strategies that are in place. With this information, the Baltimore City Council and the Baltimore City Police Department will be able to better work together to help protect the citizens of Baltimore City. With this goal in mind, the different areas of City government can come together and make our streets safer and more secure by keeping as many officers as possible on the streets at all times.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests the Baltimore Police Commissioner to brief the City Council regarding the number of officers currently suspended from their positions, the different types of suspensions available for use in disciplining officers, the number of officers on paid suspensions, and the impact of these suspensions on the Department's current crime fighting strategies.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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