Last month, the Department of Justice released six new and revised Baltimore Police Department policies, created as part of the city’s consent decree with the DOJ, which required reforms within the BPD. Today, the department extended the period for public comment on the new policies to September 28th. Anyone can review the policies at the following links and provide feedback directly to BPD by clicking on the button that says “Let’s Hear Your Feedback.”
1112: Field Interviews, Investigative Stops/Detentions, Weapons Pat-Downs, and Searches (revised)
1109: Warrantless Searches (new policy)
1013: Strip Searches and Body Cavity Searches (revised)
1106: Warrantless Arrest Procedures and Probable Cause Standards (revised)
1007: Search and Seizure Warrants (revised)
1505: Foot Pursuits (new policy)
“The changes that community members in Baltimore seek in the BPD can only be achieved by community members themselves,” read a DOJ email announcing the extension. “We hope the Consent Decree can be a catalyst and hope that community members and organizations choose to provide edits and recommendations to the above policies.”
Open Society Institute and its grantees have played a key role in ensuring that community voices informed – and continue to inform – the Consent Decree process.