Harrison Faces Questions From City Council, Confirmation Process Continues
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Acting Police Commissioner, Michael Harrison, stood before Baltimore City Council members and answered questions for more than two hours as part of his confirmation process.
The five-member executive appointments committee ballooned into 10 elected officials at the Wednesday night meeting.
Harrison faced questions about safety, low staffing on the police force and corruption within the department.
"I am committed to reform," Harrison said at the meeting.
The former New Orleans police superintendent was tasked by Mayor Catherine Pugh to lead the Baltimore City Police Department.
His run to get support started three weeks ago when he attended nine community meetings in every district across the city.
Harrison got support from many residents at Wednesday's meeting, but he was also met by skepticism.
"He doesn't know this city, he hasn't spent any time in the streets of Baltimore City," Jason Rodriguez, of the Baltimore Chapter of Cop Watch, said. "When it comes to policing this city, Mr. Harrison has no clue of both the culture of policing this city, and does not understand the culture of its citizens."
After the meeting, Harrison spoke with him directly and addressed his concern.
"When people call for the police, the question is not where are you from, it's will you help me," Harrison said.
After more than two hours of questions and answers, the committee approved Harrison's nomination. It now moves to the full council.
"The Gun Trace Task Force is still looming over us, and the fallout, I don't think, is complete yet," Councilman Kristerfer Burnett said. "But I do feel confident that he is the guy for the job to really root out the corruption within the department."
Pugh and the Baltimore City Council were criticized in handling the background check process for the last commissioner.
When it surfaced, former Baltimore City Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa repeatedly failed to file tax returns.
In December, De Sousa pleaded guilty in federal court.
The full council vote will happen Monday. There will be a third and final vote after that.
Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook
