Baltimore Police Department clears hurdle in getting out of consent decree

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Police Department is one step closer to getting out of its consent decree, according to documents obtained by WJZ.

According to an agreement with the Department of Justice, the police department has been found compliant with two assessments required by its consent decree.

But there are still more than a dozen "key provisions" left, including some areas where the department is lagging, such as the section requiring data analysis on police stops, searches and other interactions, according to our media partner The Baltimore Banner.  

The consent decree was put into effect in 2017, in the wake of the Baltimore Police Department's in-custody death of Freddie Gray in 2015.

Gray died from spinal injuries after officers loaded the handcuffed man into a police van and transported him without a seatbelt. His death ignited widespread calls for police reform in Baltimore and led the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the agency. 

The probe uncovered a pattern of unconstitutional policing practices that especially affected Black residents. As a result of those findings, the department entered into a consent decree with federal prosecutors in 2017 that outlines a series of mandated reform measures.  

"We all want to get out of the consent decree, but we have to do it the right way," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a press conference on Wednesday.  

According to findings of the Department of Justice, the BPD has reached complete compliance in two sections of the consent decree - transportation of persons in custody and officer assistance and support.  

The police department's transport van is outfitted with new safety equipment, including First Aid kits and seatbelts. It also has video equipment subject to regular inspections. 

"I am proud that for the first time in the consent decree's nearly seven-year history, we are able to join DOJ in jointly recommending the Court to find us in full and effective compliance with whole sections of the Decree," Mayor Scott said.  

What does this compliance mean for the department?  BPD says it's improved how officers respond to medical distress, technology in transport vehicles, and the department's auditing and record keeping process.

Other improvements include offering 24-hour behavioral and mental health assistance for all BPD embers, how the department responds to public demonstrations, and communication during high stress incidents. 

"When we do it, we have to do it right," Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said. "You can't rush it."

The commissioner said 85 percent of the decree provisions are either in "initial compliance" or "on its path."

He hopes for full compliance within the next three years.

Worley said community policing remains a challenge.

"Obviously, (community policing) is the one part of the consent decree we've struggled with, but we've made some changes," Worley said.

Worley says Baltimore's police department is still 500 officers short.

Last month, BPD doubled its hiring bonus to $10,000. 

"Reaching full and effective compliance with these two sections of the Consent Decree not only helps us build trust with our communities but also sends a message to our members that their health and wellness is a priority," Worley said. "The BPD continues to make progress on our reform initiatives, which is the roadmap to sustained reductions in gun violence. As we stride toward full compliance and transformation of our Department, we will continue to improve retention and address our staffing challenges head-on."    

As of December 2023, 25.5% of all paragraphs in the consent decree have been given a rating as being in "initial compliance" and another 60.5% of all paragraphs in the decree are "on track for initial compliance."

With Baltimore's declines in homicides and non-fatal shootings in 2023, Mayor Scott and his administration argue department reforms and crime are linked.

"Constitutional policing and the reduction of crime are an inseparable component of our law enforcement strategy," said Ebony Thompson, the Baltimore City solicitor.

"They don't have to make this false choice of wanting to be safer and wanting not to be harassed every day just because they live in a certain neighborhood," Mayor Scott added.

The police department's quarterly meeting with the feds is set for next week.

But, several assessments are expected to be released in the coming months, including arrests, use of force and officer misconduct. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story