BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Police Department’s specialized units have come under scrutiny once again after two recent police shootings. The incidents have raised concerns about the tactics and behavior of these units, which were formed as a response to a corruption scandal in the department. Residents of the southwest Baltimore neighborhood where the most recent shooting occurred have expressed outrage, highlighting long-standing issues of harassment and escalation by certain officers in the community.
The most recent shooting, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, involved officers from a District Action Team (DAT), a specialized unit focused on seizing illegal guns. While body camera footage has not yet been released, residents have questioned the excessive use of force and the number of shots fired by the officers. The man who was shot, later identified as Hunter Jessup, allegedly pointed a gun at the police during a chase. Four officers opened fire, resulting in Jessup’s death.
Residents in the community have complained about the behavior of DAT officers for years, citing frequent harassment and unnecessary escalation during encounters. The officers, who wear vests identifying them as police but are neither fully uniformed nor plainclothes, are known for their negative interactions with residents. The shooting has brought attention to these ongoing issues and has reignited the debate about the effectiveness and tactics of specialized police units.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Police Commissioner Richard Worley defended the officers’ actions, stating that they had repeatedly instructed Jessup to drop his weapon. The department has been praised in the past for apprehending armed individuals and reducing gun violence in Baltimore. However, critics argue that the focus should be on targeting individuals who are actually responsible for violence, rather than conducting blanket enforcement of gun laws. A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions found that a majority of respondents believed that Baltimore police were targeting the wrong people.
The use of specialized police units has been a contentious issue in other cities as well. In Memphis, the disbandment of a specialized unit called SCORPION was prompted by the release of body camera footage showing officers beating a suspect to death. The focus of these units on illegal guns and repeat violent offenders has raised concerns about their impact on communities, particularly low-income communities of color.
The Baltimore Police Department has been under scrutiny for its problematic interactions with the city’s Black community, with a history of unconstitutional policing practices. The department remains under a federal consent decree mandating reforms. Despite efforts to reform the department, the report released by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers earlier this year highlighted the persistence of troublesome tactics within the specialized units.
Baltimore police spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge stated that the department takes misconduct complaints seriously and imposes discipline when necessary. Reforms have been implemented, including an overhaul of the department’s internal discipline process. However, critics argue that the disproportionate effect of DAT teams on low-income communities of color remains a concern.
The recent shootings have once again highlighted the need for comprehensive reform within the Baltimore Police Department and a reevaluation of the tactics employed by specialized units. As the community continues to demand justice and accountability, it is evident that more work needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Baltimore.
