The Baltimore County Work Group on Equitable Policing will examine policing policies and practices and make recommendations for ensuring equitable policing in Baltimore County. The Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) collects and reports data related to traffic stops annually to the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center.
A review of 2018 data shows that African American individuals were issued citations at a rate higher than other individuals. While the data does not necessarily indicate bias or discrimination, the County believes the data merits thorough examination. The first-of-its-kind work group will examine current policies, practices and training related to equitable policing in Baltimore County, and offer recommendations to ensure equitable policing practices and bring greater transparency and accountability to law enforcement.
The work group will:
- Review and analyze data provided to the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center
- Collect and analyze additional data from BCoPD
- Analyze benchmarking data from other political subdivisions and comparable jurisdictions across the country
- Review current written orders and manuals relevant to traffic and person stops
- Meet with command staff and officers in BCoPD to examine how current policing practices and principles may be influencing the data
- Review training and supervision that police officers receive with respect to implicit bias in policing
- Review national best practices with respect to equitable policing, traffic and person stop practices and policies, training and supervision
The group will issue a formal report with recommendations.
Members
The work group is chaired by Baltimore County Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sevetra Peoples-Brown, and consists of a diverse array of knowledgeable individuals, including:
- Crystal Francis, Community Representative
- Tony Fugett, Baltimore County NAACP
- Councilman Julian Jones, Baltimore County Council District 4
- Omer Reshid, Student Member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, Youth Representative
- Colonel Robert McCullough, BCoPD
- Anthony Russell, President of Blue Guardians
- Scott Shellenberger, State’s Attorney
- John Skinner, Professor of Criminal Justice at Towson University
- Senator Charles Sydnor
- David Rose, Fraternal Order of Police
- Chief Melissa Hyatt, Baltimore County Police Department (ex-officio)
- Rebecca Young, Baltimore County Deputy Administrative Officer (ex-officio)
In The News
January 3: Baltimore County Work Group on Equitable Policing Announces Community Listening Sessions
Meeting Schedule
The work group will meet monthly for a period of at least six months. View the meeting agendas and minutes below.
Upcoming Events
2019 and 2020
| Date and Time | Location | Meeting Documents |
|---|---|---|
| December 6, 2019 1 p.m. | Historic Courthouse, Room 118 400 Washington Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204 | |
| January 9, 2020 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | West County Listening Session Community Listening Session Randallstown Community Center 3505 Resource Drive Randallstown, Maryland 21133 | |
| February 13 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | East County Listening Session Community Listening Session Sollers Point Community Center 323 Sollers Point Road Dundalk, Maryland 21222 | |
| February 24 2 to 4 p.m. | Historic Courthouse, Room 118 400 Washington Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204 | |
| May 20 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | Cancelled |
| May 27 2:30 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| June 30 2:30 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| July 14 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| July 28 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| August 11 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| August 25 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| September 8 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | Canceled |
| September 15 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| October 2 Noon | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| October 13 3:30 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | Cancelled |
| October 21 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex | |
| November 18 3 p.m. | Virtual Meeting via Webex |
Contact Information
For questions or more information about the Equitable Policing Work Group, email equitablepolicing@baltimorecountymd.gov.