Baltimore Seeks $30 Million In State Funds For Police Reforms
Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake Seeks $30 Million In State Funds For Police Reforms
Following a scathing federal report, Baltimore is scrambling to reform its police force.
The Baltimore Sun reports that Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requesting more than $30 million to pay for the reforms.
According to The Sun, the letter was made public on Tuesday and marks a reversal of the mayor’s previous statements about not seeking state or federal funding to improve the police department.
She included in the budget request $20 million for an “Early Warning System” to uncover patterns of police misconduct, as well as $1.1 million to hire experts to train the police force on how to conduct appropriate sexual assault investigations.
The U.S. Department of Justice launched a probe of the Baltimore Police Department after the uprising triggered by Freddie Gray’s death in 2015. Investigators uncovered widespread policing misconduct, especially in the city’s Black community, as well as a pattern of dismissing reported sexual assaults.
Following release of the report, Baltimore agreed to reform its police force. The city is now negotiating a consent decree with the DOJ.
A spokeswoman for the governor told The Sun that he’s “deeply committed to building a Baltimore City that is safer, more vibrant, and a better place to live, work, and raise a family.” Hogan also promised to continue to collaborate with the city’s leadership toward that end.
SOURCE: Baltimore Sun | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
SEE ALSO:
DOJ: Baltimore Police Regularly Violate Constitutional Rights, Use Excessive Force Against Blacks
WATCH: Baltimore Police Investigating Unwarranted Arrest Of Teen After Video Surfaces Online
Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake Seeks $30 Million In State Funds For Police Reforms was originally published on newsone.com
