City of Baltimore - File #: 10-0185R

• File #: 10-0185R
• Version: 0
• Name: Investigative Hearing - Police/Civilian Interactions - Transparency
• Type: City Council Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 1/11/2010
• In control: Public Safety and Health Committee
• Final action: 8/9/2010
• Title: Investigative Hearing - Police/Civilian Interactions - Transparency FOR the purpose of requesting the Police Commissioner to report to the City Council on the current policy for the documentation and release of information regarding incidents in which there have been confrontations between police officers and civilians resulting in any physical contact.
• Sponsors: Belinda Conaway, Warren Branch, President Young, Mary Pat Clarke, Bill Henry, Sharon Green Middleton, Helen L. Holton, Agnes Welch, Edward Reisinger, Robert Curran
• Indexes: Resolution

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/9/2010	0	Public Safety and Health Committee	Recommended Favorably
8/9/2010	0	City Council	Adopted
7/12/2010	0	Public Safety and Health Committee	Scheduled for a Public Hearing
1/14/2010	0	The City Council	Referred for a Report
1/11/2010	0	City Council	Introduced
1/11/2010	0	City Council	Assigned

* 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 Conaway

A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Investigative Hearing - Police/Civilian Interactions - Transparency

FOR the purpose of requesting the Police Commissioner to report to the City Council on the current policy for the documentation and release of information regarding incidents in which there have been confrontations between police officers and civilians resulting in any physical contact.
body
Recitals

Early last year the City Council adopted a resolution expressing concern over the announcement by Baltimore police officials that the names of police officers who killed or injured citizens in the line of duty would no longer be released, changing a long-standing practice that law enforcement personnel contended put officers at risk and exposed officers to retaliation from disgruntled members of the public.

The change in policy met with opposition by some local elected officials and community activists because it did not further a policy of transparent government, facilitate good police/community relations, support the public’s right to know about possible “problem” officers, or do anything to encourage communities to work with police to solve crimes and overcome a “Stop-Snitching” mentality.

At the hearing, the Police Commissioner informed the Council that the policy governing the release of names of police involved in incidents that resulte...