Credit: WBAL-TV Image
The Maryland General Assembly on Wednesday passed legislation that paves the way for returning control of the Baltimore Police Department to the city.
The legislation passed the House with overwhelming support and unopposed in the Senate. The handover of control to the city is contingent on city voters' ratification of a charter amendment to facilitate the change.
Mayor Brandon Scott thanked the city delegation for working to ensure the bill's passage.
"I am also delivering on another priority by establishing a Task Force with representatives from City government and the community to develop a five-year budget reduction plan for the Baltimore Police Department," Scott said in a statement. "As my administration works tirelessly to reimagine policing in Baltimore, we must ensure that City resources are being used effectively and efficiently. The Task Force will be charged with identifying reductions that can be made responsibly over time while creating a blueprint that diverts appropriate service requests so officers can focus efforts on reducing violent crime."