Police Commissioner Michael Harrison's future in question

DOWNTOWN. THE MAYOR SAYS HE’LL MAKE A DECISION WITHIN NEXT YEAR. THIS ISSUE HAS EVOLVED FROM SPECULATION THAT THE COMMISSIONER WANTS TO LEAVE TO NOW BEING COMPLETELY UP TO THE MAYOR. I LOVE WHAT I DO. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 32 YEARS. I’VE BEEN A CHIEF NOW FOR NINE CONSECUTIVE YEARS. I STILL HAVE THE JUICE POLICE COMMISSIONER MICHAEL HARRISON, EXPRESSING HIS DESIRE ON THE T-J SMITH RADIO SHOW TO CONTINUE TO BE THE CITY’S TOP COP. HIS CONTRACT EXPIRES NEXT MARCH. THE COMMISSIONER IS IN CHARGE OF CARRYING OUT THE MAYOR’S CRIME FIGHTING STRATEGY, WHICH IS CURRENTLY GETTING MIXED PUBLIC REVIEWS ON ITS SUCCESS. AND AS THE MAYOR PREPARES TO RAMP UP HIS REELECTION BID, SOME ARE NOW QUESTIONING WHETHER HE’LL DUMP THE COMMISSIONER AND BLAME HIM FOR A LACK OF PROGRESS. CITY COUNCIL ASKED THE COMMISSIONER ABOUT HIS STATUS TUESDAY NIGHT. I HAVE SAID NO TO MANY OPPORTUNITY PARTIES THAT HAVE COME, BUT THERE MAY BE A CONSIDERATION THAT I MAY HAVE TO CONSIDER IF IT COMES, IF AND WHEN IT COMES, I MAY HAVE TO MAKE THAT CONSIDERATION. TRANSLATION THE DECISION TO STAY IS UP TO MAYOR SCOTT. HE DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR OUR STORY, BUT HIS OFFICE SENT A STATEMENT WRITING, THE MAYOR CONTINUES TO BE APPRECIATIVE OF AND SATISFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER’S LEADERSHIP. HIS CURRENT CONTRACT RUNS THROUGH MARCH 2024 AND A DECISION ON EXTENSION WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. MAYOR SHEILA DIXON SAYS SCOTT SHOULD NOT BE SO COY. I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU WANT HIM, YOU SHOULD SAY SO AND I THINK THAT IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT. COMMISSIONER HARRISON IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING BALTIMORE POLICE COMMISSIONERS AND MORE THAN 20 YEARS THE COMMISSIONER HAS OVERSEEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE. HE SECURED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR HIS OFFICERS. HE TESTIFIED IN FAVOR OF ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS. ONE POLITICAL EXPERT WARNS A CHANGING OF THE GUARD SIGNALS INSTABILITY. HE SAYS THE MAYOR NEEDS TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN POLICING AND CHANGES IN POLICY CHANGES IN PERSONNEL CAN UNDERMINE THAT CONFIDENCE AS WELL AS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE UNDERLYING POLICIES THEMSELVES. THE COMMISSIONER ALSO DECLINED A REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW TO DISCUSS THE MAYOR’S NONCOMMITTAL TO RENEWING HIS CONTRACT. REPORTING FROM THE BISHOP ROBINSON POLICE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

Questions are being raised about Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison's future with the department after a budget hearing with the city council.Crime remains the number one issue in Baltimore. As Mayor Brandon Scott considers a re-election bid, he's getting mixed reviews from the public on the success of his crime-fighting strategy.Harrison is in charge of carrying it out."I have said no to many opportunities that have come up, but there may be a consideration that I may have to consider. If it comes, when it comes, I may have to make that consideration," Harrison said at Tuesday's budget hearing.It will be up to Scott to decide whether or not to give Harrison a new contract when it expires next year.Scott declined an interview, but his office sent a statement saying, "The Mayor continues to be appreciative of and satisfied with the commissioner's leadership. His current contract runs through March 2024 and a decision on extension will be made in due course within the next year."Former mayor Sheila Dixon said Scott should not fuel speculation."I believe that if you want him, you should say so. And I think that is something that you need to be transparent about," she said.Harrison is one of the longest-serving Baltimore City police commissioners in more than 20 years. He and Scott created a short and long-term crime-fighting plan. The commissioner has overseen the implementation of the federal consent decree. He secured technology upgrades for his officers. He also testified in favor of enhancing public safety laws.One political expert warns a changing of the guard would undermine public confidence."Changes in policy (and) changes in personnel can undermine that confidence, as well as having an underlying impact on the policies themselves," said John T. Willis of the University of Baltimore.Harrison told the T.J. Smith Radio Show on WBAL News Radio he still loves the job."I love what I do. I've been doing it for 32 years. I've been a chief now for nine consecutive years. I still have the juice," he said.

BALTIMORE —

Questions are being raised about Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison's future with the department after a budget hearing with the city council.

Crime remains the number one issue in Baltimore. As Mayor Brandon Scott considers a re-election bid, he's getting mixed reviews from the public on the success of his crime-fighting strategy.

Harrison is in charge of carrying it out.

"I have said no to many opportunities that have come up, but there may be a consideration that I may have to consider. If it comes, when it comes, I may have to make that consideration," Harrison said at Tuesday's budget hearing.

It will be up to Scott to decide whether or not to give Harrison a new contract when it expires next year.

Scott declined an interview, but his office sent a statement saying, "The Mayor continues to be appreciative of and satisfied with the commissioner's leadership. His current contract runs through March 2024 and a decision on extension will be made in due course within the next year."

Former mayor Sheila Dixon said Scott should not fuel speculation.

"I believe that if you want him, you should say so. And I think that is something that you need to be transparent about," she said.

Harrison is one of the longest-serving Baltimore City police commissioners in more than 20 years. He and Scott created a short and long-term crime-fighting plan. The commissioner has overseen the implementation of the federal consent decree. He secured technology upgrades for his officers. He also testified in favor of enhancing public safety laws.

One political expert warns a changing of the guard would undermine public confidence.

"Changes in policy (and) changes in personnel can undermine that confidence, as well as having an underlying impact on the policies themselves," said John T. Willis of the University of Baltimore.

Harrison told the T.J. Smith Radio Show on WBAL News Radio he still loves the job.

"I love what I do. I've been doing it for 32 years. I've been a chief now for nine consecutive years. I still have the juice," he said.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison's future in question

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