BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PUBLIC SAFETY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In Baltimore City, the principal agencies concerned with public safety are the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Department, and the Police Department.

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Following World War II, the Office of Emergency Management developed out of the City's Civil Defense Program as part of the Department of Public Works. In 2002, the Office was restructured under the Fire Department, and was placed under the Chief of Staff in 2008. It transferred to Emergency Management and Public Safety in September 2012, and was made a separate unit in 2015.

The Office of Emergency Management develops and implements emergency readiness plans to address potential disasters, and works to alert residents, businesses, and government agencies of how to prepare for predicted emergencies, react to existing emergencies, and recover from past emergencies. The Office coordinates City emergency responders, and acts as liaison to federal, State, private, and nonprofit agencies to ensure residents have basic necessities (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 14-109 through 14-113).

Appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the Mayor, the Director oversees the Office (Code Public Safety Article, sec. 14-109).


FIRE DEPARTMENT

[photo, Hazmat 1 truck, Baltimore City Fire Department, Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland] As a volunteer service, the first fire company was founded in Baltimore City in 1763. To ensure quick and efficient response to fires in the City, the first professional service was created in 1859. Since then, the Department has expanded to include emergency medical response units, and specialized hazard units to confront emergency needs.

Appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, the Fire Chief oversees the Department (City Charter, Article VII, sec. 48).

Hazmat 1 truck, Baltimore City Fire Department, Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.


The Department consists of three Divisions: Administration, Community Risk Reduction, and Operations. It is aided by the Board of Fire Commissioners.

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
Formed in 2008, the Administration Division consolidated all maintenance, procurement and supply functions for the Fire Department. Moreover, the Division ensures communications between City and volunteer fire and rescue companies, oversees the Fire Academy, and conducts community outreach and training programs.

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION DIVISION

OPERATIONS DIVISION
Formerly named the Field Operations Division, the Operations Division maintains and coordinates fire and emergency medical services throughout the City to respond to fire emergencies. The Division includes thirty-seven fire stations, as well as hazmat units, fireboats, and a dive rescue unit.

The Division oversees Emergency Medical Services.

POLICE DEPARTMENT


[photo, Bishop L. Robinson, Sr., Police Administration Building, 601 East Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland] Origins of the Police Department trace to the colonial period when Baltimore County constables patrolled the area that later became Baltimore City. The first constables assigned specifically to Baltimore City were authorized by the General Assembly in 1784 (Chapter 69, Acts of 1784). Following the City's separation from Baltimore County in 1851, the State Legislature authorized creation of a City police force in March 1853 (Chapter 46, Acts of 1853). During the Civil War, the Federal military authorities took control of the Baltimore City police on June 27, 1861, and then turned over the Police Department to the authority of the State in March 1862.

Bishop L. Robinson, Sr., Police Administration Building, 601 East Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


The General Assembly established the Board of Police Commissioners of Baltimore as a State agency in 1867 (Chapter 367, Acts of 1867). The Board was charged with expanding the Department, as well as updating and increasing its capabilities. Its members from 1867 to 1920 were appointed by the Governor. After 1920, a single Police Commissioner of Baltimore City was chosen by the Governor and also served on the Governor’s Advisory Council.

In 1885, the Police Department was restructured, creating new divisions and incorporating new technologies. Call boxes were installed throughout the City, the Harbor Patrol began, and the City's first patrol wagon was purchased. These changes allowed units to stay in better contact, reduce response times, and better police City waterways.

By 1961, the City Park Police joined the Police Department, further increasing the Department's scope and size (Chapter 290, Acts of 1961).

Supervision of the Department transferred from the Board of Police Commissioners to a single Police Commissioner in July 1978. The Police Commissioner was appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent for a six-year term. Since October 1, 2016, however, the Police Commissioner, while still appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, serves at the pleasure of the Mayor (Chapter 193, Acts of 2016).

Since April 2019, the Police Department has overseen four bureaus: Administrative, Compliance, Operations, and Public Integrity. The Department also is aided by the Community Oversight Task Force.

CHIEF OF STAFF
Previously, the Chief of Staff oversaw the daily administrative duties of the Police Department, including meeting its fiscal and procurement needs. In April 2019, the Chief of Staff became responsible for the Executive Protection Unit, Government Affairs, and Public Information.

ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU

In April 2019, the Administrative Bureau organized within the Police Department.

The Bureau is responsible for five units: Asset Management, Finance, Human Resources, Recruitment, and Science and Evidence.

COMPLIANCE BUREAU

In April 2019, the Compliance Bureau was formed and assumed responsibility for Audits and Inspections; Consent Decree Implementation; Education and Training; and Technology.

OPERATIONS BUREAU

The Operations Bureau began as the Crime Reduction Bureau, later was renamed the Operations Bureau, and in September 2017 had its functions move into separate divisions. It reformed as the Operations Bureau in February 2018.

Headed by a Deputy Commissioner, functions of the Operations Bureau are organized under the Chief of Criminal Investigation and the Chief of Patrol.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Criminal Investigation began as the Crime Reduction Bureau, later was renamed the Operations Bureau, and in September 2017, reformed as the Criminal Investigations Bureau. In February 2018, it reorganized as the Criminal Investigation Division, and in April 2019 as one of two primary units under the Operations Bureau.

Criminal Investigation includes Criminal Intelligence and the Detectives Division, which has units for Anti-Crime, Homicide, Shootings, and Special Investigations.

PATROL
Patrol started as part of the Crime Reduction Bureau, which later became the Operations Bureau. It restructured as the Patrol Bureau, which organized in September 2017. Under the Operations Bureau, it reformed in February 2018 as the Neighborhood Patrol Division. In April 2019, it became Patrol.

Under Patrol are Neighborhood Services, and Patrol.

PUBLIC INTEGRITY BUREAU

The Public Integrity Bureau began in April 2019.

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