City Council Debates Making Kevin Davis Police Commissioner

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In it for the long haul. Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis wants to be a permanent part of city law enforcement---but first he has to be approved by the City Council, who are now weighing that decision.

Meghan McCorkell spoke with Davis, who discussed his vision for the future.

WJZ has learned the interim commissioner met with the City Council members to plead his case to be the next top cop.

The city is in turmoil, reeling from riots and a skyrocketing murder rate and eroding trust between the community and police: issues Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis says he's ready to face.

"I am certainly interested in being here for the long haul," he said.

In a one-on-one interview with WJZ, Davis says there are many changes he'd like to make.

"Body-worn cameras, the crime fight, the trust in the community," he said.

But he can't do it on a temporary basis.

"If I have a shot clock on top of my head and/or one foot out the door, the stability in leadership means something," Davis said.

Davis is nominated by the mayor for the job, but still needs the City Council to sign off.

"I want to have a steady hand in charge of public safety and I find Commissioner Davis to be that," said Baltimore City Councilman Mary Pat Clarke.

If Davis is approved, he'll be the seventh police commissioner here in Baltimore in the past 15 years.

Davis could serve the remaining five years on fired Commissioner Anthony Batts' contract. Taxpayers shelled out a more than $190,000 payout to Batts. With the mayor stepping down, some worry about giving Davis a long-term deal.

"To set up a contract for six years, knowing that the mayor is going to be out in a little over a year, just doesn't make sense for taxpayers," said Baltimore City Councilman Nick Mosby.

The decision is now in the hands of the council.

A public hearing on Davis' appointment is scheduled for October 21.

Before being named Deputy Commissioner in Baltimore in January, Kevin Davis served as Anne Arundel County Police Chief.