Fraternal Order Of Police Calling For Major Changes
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police is calling for major changes within the department. Tuesday, WJZ obtained a report it sent to City Hall.
Vic Carter reports the blueprint outlines what it believes are major problems that need to be fixed.
Outdated, ineffective and reactive. That's how the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police describes the Baltimore City Police Department.
WJZ obtained a 15-page blueprint the union plans to present to city and department leaders with the hopes of fixing what it called recurring problems.
In it, FOP Lodge 3 says in order to reduce crime and cut down on department humiliation caused by bad cops, seven key areas need to be addressed. Some of the changes include upping the hiring standards, changing the way officers are deployed and making the pay more competitive.
The Fraternal Order of Police is calling on City Hall for a thorough review of policies.
The mayor sent WJZ a statement saying, "Since taking office, Mayor Rawlings-Blake has made reducing crime a priority. Despite large budget deficits, the mayor has invested in crime-fighting technology and provided funding to prevent police officer layoffs and as a result, Baltimore has continued to experience historic lows in crimes and violence. The mayor appreciates the suggestions from the FOP, and her office will thoroughly review the recommendations."
The police department says it's open to discussions with the union but that it's already making progress and reducing violent crime.
