Governor Moore held a press conference on 2/23/2023 and made the following public safety announcements:

  • Public safety stretched remarkably thin.
  • Recruitment and retention down.
  • Today the average class size is 35. New Trooper Applications dropped from 4,000 per class in 2019 to now, fewer than 1,000 in 2022.
  • Last year, 80 troopers left employment and only 47 joined the workforce.
  • To rebuild the state police force, elevate the profession, invest in training, and cultivate a culture that retains, advances and rewards ethical law enforcement professionals.
  • Violent crime impacts all jurisdictions in MD.
  • Homicides and non-fatal shootings are at high levels across the state.
  • This is not just a Baltimore problem, it’s a statewide problem.
  • The mission of our State Police: leading the core nation and providing cross-jurisdictional resources, intelligence, and guidance to all of government as we work together to advance public safety across the entire state.
    • Partnership with all 24 jurisdictions by investing in intelligence sharing and directly intervening to stop crime.
    • Source data on where we are today and track progress moving forward.
  • Ordering all public safety agencies across the state, to include all state police agencies, corrections, and juvenile services to conduct after-action reports when there are homicides or non-fatal shootings within their areas of responsibility.
  • Historic investment in public safety capabilities by funding $11 million in MD Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC)
    • Monitor and disrupt violent crime.
    • Analyzes tips and leads on suspicious criminal activity and known criminals.
    • Provides accurate information to empower local law enforcement officials.
    • This investment allows MCAC to hire expert personnel, conduct training, and invest in technology infrastructure to keep us safe from cyber-attacks and threats.
    • MCAC and City of Baltimore have resumed an active partnership.
  • Complements other public safety investments in FY24 budget:
    • $122 million to aid local police departments, including $17.5 million for Baltimore City.
    • $69 million in local law enforcement grants, including $5 million to protect Marylanders from hate crimes.
    • $35 million for victims with assistance and service to aid restoration after a violent criminal act.
  • Will prosecute most violent offenders and get them off the streets.
  • Cannot militarize communities out of this problem. Every Marylander must feel safe. We need robust community participation.
  • Announced new Maryland Superintendent of Police: Lt. Col. Roland Butler

Questions and responses:

  • Intelligence sharing – example: license plate readers.
  • Gov. Moore MCAC visit takeaway: we owe a ton of gratitude to them, and they lack resources.
  • Colonel Butler – quota systems and inappropriate behavior are unacceptable. I will hold people accountable, and the executive staff will hold me accountable.