BPD provides consent decree update, addresses staffing issues

The Baltimore Police Department sent a message to its officers and staff to say progress has been made in the consent decree process. Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said he wants the judge overseeing the consent decree, the public and his officers to know where everything stands right now, including the challenges of hiring more officers. During a hearing Thursday at federal court, the commissioner explained where the department is five-and-a-half years after the process began to reform and rebuild trust. U.S. Chief District Judge James Bredar, the judge overseeing the consent decree, wanted to know about results and see proof of what is working. BPD officials said 83% of its assessments dealing with police training and other issues were on track or demonstrated initial compliance as of September.