Baltimore FOP Critical Of City Police Leadership During Riots
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Fraternal Order of Police called for improvements Wednesday morning following the release of their report into the Baltimore riots.
Derek Valcourt has more.
The report is scathing in its criticisms of Police Commissioner Anthony Batts and his top command staff, and the orders given during the riots to the rank and file officers.
A 32-page report lays much of the blame for problems at the feet of Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, saying during the riots and protests, he put the image of the department and City Hall ahead of the safety of officers and citizens.
The officers characterized the Baltimore police department's leadership during the riots as unprepared, politically motivated and uncaring and confusing.
The report indicates officers were under orders "...not to engage and protesters." Instead, give them "...room to destroy..." so that rioters and not police "would appear to be the aggressors." Police were told "Looting is expected; let it happen."
The report faults commanders for ordering officers "not to make any arrests until first approved by...legal advisors."
It says, "Batts himself ordered the release of two people caught throwing rocks at officers."
Prior to one protest, Commissioner Batts reportedly told officers at one roll call "not to wear gloves or sunglasses" and that "no one was to wear a helmet until advised." The union says officers were repeatedly told they "must not appear to be intimidating."
Many officers complained about "lack of necessary equipment." Some wore expired helmets or helmets with scratched visors; others were given shields that shattered easily.
RELATED: Baltimore Mayor Fires Police Commissioner Anthony Batts
Many complained they were left feeling like "sitting ducks" and pointed the blame at Batts, who "led us officers to slaughter."
"Our after-action review indicated that the Baltimore Police Department still remains unprepared for future riots," said FOP President Gene Ryan.
The report makes many recommendations for improvements but stopped short of calling for Batts to step down. The mayor fired Batts Wednesday but said it was not in response to the FOP report.
In a statement, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake responded, "It is disappointing that the FOP continues to issue baseless and false information instead of working with us to find solutions that will protect our officers. The FOP is using the same sad playbook they relied on when they opposed our efforts to reform state laws and hold officers who act out of line accountable for their actions.
"Our hope was that this report would shed some additional light on how we can better prepare our officers should there be future unrest. Instead this report is no more than a trumped up political document full of baseless accusations, finger pointing and personal attacks.
"This is not a time for finger pointing and politics. The public and our officers need solutions based on all of the facts. The FOP declined to wait and gather all of the information before rushing to conclusions which is a disservice to our officers who acted so courageously during the unrest.
"We will not follow the same approach. Unlike the FOP, our reviews will offer the citizens and officers more than a rehash of tired political rhetoric.
"Our review will be extensive, independent and consist of all of the facts.
"We have already identified and corrected some weaknesses, including the need to update how we assess the effectiveness of our riot gear and an order to begin the process of placing cameras in the backs of all police transport vans.
"Now is a time for healing; a time for progress. This report offers neither. When the city needs the FOP the most they have chosen to be their lesser selves. The Mayor remains committed to working with the officers of the city to seek solutions and push for the safer city we all believe is possible."
