The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that the City of Baltimore and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) have made significant progress in implementing policing reforms. The DOJ and the city filed a joint motion seeking court approval to declare that Baltimore and BPD have complied with the requirements of the DOJ’s consent decree, which was the result of a 2015 investigation into BPD’s practices following the death of Freddie Gray. An independent monitor confirmed that BPD is fully compliant with all three sections of the decree.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General, Kristen Clarke, praised the BPD for successfully implementing reforms that have been shown to protect citizens’ rights, especially during protests and demonstrations. The reforms, which began after the 2015 investigation, have included revised policies and training to ensure officers respect First Amendment rights, such as the right to peacefully record police actions.
Key findings of the independent monitor include:
- No evidence of BPD obstructing individuals’ ability to observe or record police activity.
- Almost no incidents of First Amendment violations by BPD officers between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, despite thousands of public interactions.
- BPD demonstrated compliance with the decree during high-profile protests, such as the 2020 racial justice protests and protests related to a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2020, as well as a separate protest in November 2023.
- BPD has made significant strides in reducing unlawful arrests, with a 91% decrease in the number of people arrested and later released without charges between 2020 and 2022.
- The department has also implemented new policies and training on making lawful arrests, ensuring fewer arrests are made without probable cause.
Clarke highlighted that the consent decree’s impact was particularly evident during the 2020 racial justice demonstrations, where BPD was able to manage large-scale protests while respecting constitutional rights. The DOJ emphasized its continued commitment to working with the Baltimore Police Department and the community to ensure fair and constitutional policing for all citizens.
In addition to these reforms, the consent decree also required the city to collaborate with community leaders to improve accountability within the Baltimore City School Police, including implementing recommendations from the Community Oversight Task Force and increasing transparency in interactions with students and the community.
