In just four years, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison leaves behind a complicated legacy, with one of challenges, progress, and controversy.
“Together we have truly raised the bar in policing,” said Harrison at a news conference at City Hall Thursday morning.
Throughout his announcement, Harrison championed the successes he said were made through a period of significant reform.
“To say we’ve come a long way would be an understatement,” he said.
After rifling through four commissioners in four years, Harrison ushered in an era of stability under his four-year tenure. During which, he said he faced considerable challenges. From critically high crime and staffing shortages, to a federal consent decree and a city state’s attorney with a no-prosecution policy for low-level offenses.
“That was actually not a decision I got to make,” he said.
On his way out, Harrison addressed the repercussions of Marilyn Mosby’s policies for the first time.
“We had to design policy and guidance for the police officers to perform their duties understanding there are certain things we’ll prosecute, which means, we will be enforcing. And we could not put officers in positions to do something and get themselves injured and get communities members injured, all of the things that go along with that, for a case that’s likely not going to be prosecuted,” he said.
Despite obstacles, Harrison was quick to tout a reduction of excessive force complaints against officers and litigation against the city, as well as a reduction in violent crime this year.
“We know that without a doubt the efforts of GVRS have been incredibility effective in reducing the number of homicides and shootings in the city,” he said.
However, the assessment of Harrison’s legacy is met with mixed reviews.
“I don't know that you can point to a lot of really positive developments,” said former federal and state prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah. “We're still under a consent decree, juvenile crime is soaring, we're still hemorrhaging police officers,” he said.
Vignarajah argues while Harrison did take steps forward, “He's been responsive, he's been present, and that kind of leadership is something that he should be proud of,” he said.
Baltimore City is still bleeding. Although homicides have dropped 17% and shootings 8% from this time last year, last year saw record high crime, and the city remains on track to surpass 300 homicides yet again.
“People are leaving the department, the fundamental morale problem has not been addressed,” said Vignarajah. “Those are things that are going to be a stain on his legacy no matter what.”
“I think he ranks up there as one of the worst commissioners we've ever had,” said former Baltimore City police officer Jerry Hensley.
Jerry Hensley, a 40-year veteran of the force, claims Harrison’s excessive enforcement of the consent decree handcuffed officers from fighting crime, causing resentment among his rank and file.
“Within the last five years I was here you lost a lot, you lost a lot of experience, and you lost a lot of good quality people,” said Hensley.
A stance echoed by the police union. FOP president Mike Mancuso sent FOX45 the following statement concerning Harrison’s departure:
We have lost over 300 more police officers than we have hired during former Police Commissioner Harrison's tenure. We are currently at 2,100 officers, the lowest point in modern day history. This leaves the Baltimore Police Department inadequately staffed to carry out its mission. The violence has gone unabated during Harrison's tenure due to his inability to plan to combat it. Don't listen to the rhetoric about this year's crime numbers. Part 1 crimes are up 20%. Harrison failed to push back against the ill-fated policies of former State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby while also failing to stand up for his officers when some were maliciously attacked and/or wrongfully charged by her. Former Commissioner Harrison came to Baltimore from a "right to work" state and immediately felt as though he could bully FOP3. Early on I explained to him that unions in Maryland, including FOP3, have rights unlike unions in Louisiana. That information went unheeded and neither he, nor anyone in his administration, would compromise on anything and would accept nothing less than an overwhelming “win" on any discussion or negotiation. Of course, this was unacceptable to our union as our primary responsibility is to stand up for the rights of our members. We were willing to compromise but would not be bullied by anyone. As a result our union has been forced to spend an inordinate amount of time and money defending our positions and, in almost all cases, have won the various legal battles to defend our claims.