Baltimore County is in need of a new Police Commissioner and on Wednesday they announced they are on track to have a new chief in place by June.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has announced a panel of community representatives that will help interview 10 candidates for the county top cop position. Olszewski says the panel will tell him the strengths for each candidate and he will select the finalists based on their recommendation.
The following people have been chosen for the panel:
- Drew Vetter, Deputy County Administrative Officer
- TJ Smith, Press Secretary
- Cathy Bevins, County Council District 6
- Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County State’s Attorney
- Dorothy Lennig, Director of Marjorie Cook Legal Clinic at House of Ruth Maryland
- Crystal Francis, Community Representative
- Valerie Fraling, Community Representative
- Wayne Brooks, Community Representative
“The job of chief of police requires a dedicated public servant who can be an effective leader of our honorable law enforcement officers and also gain the trust and respect of our diverse communities,” Olszewski said. “We will select a chief who possesses the qualities that our communities want to see in the next leader of our law enforcement efforts, and one who shares my commitment to transparency and accountability.”
Olszewski says he also plans on seeking input from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4, the Blue Guardians, the Baltimore County Association of Women Police, and rank and file police officers as well.
And it's not only community representatives that have a say in the next commissioner, you can have a say as well! There are two town halls scheduled for the public to provide input on the selection process.
There will be a East County Policing Town Hall on February 26 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and a West County Policing Town Hall on February 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Locations have not been announced at this time.
If you are not able to make the town hall, you can send written comments to policechiefsearch@baltimorecountymd.gov.
If you want more information on the selection process, click here.
