Following the devastating mass shooting at Brooklyn Homes during the community's Brooklyn Day celebration on July 2, 2022, which left two dead and 30 injured, accountability has been a critical issue for the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the community at large. The BPD has now concluded its internal investigations into the incident, with the Public Integrity Bureau (PIB) having finished their assessment this past May and the findings put before the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) and Disciplinary Review Committee (DRC) for disciplinary action recommendations.
The After-Action Review, released in August 2023, outlined what occurred during the tragic event, and now with the investigation complete, disciplinary actions have been proposed for 12 out of 15 individuals investigated, and while some are facing termination others are staring down suspensions and loss of pay—actions which reveal a department grappling with the magnitude of its shortcomings and trying, within the constraints of policy and law, to right itself and make amends to the public trust which was deeply wounded that day.
A statement from the Baltimore Police Department details the findings and the resulting disciplinary resolutions.
In the report, Police Commissioner Richard J. Worley expressed gratitude toward the units involved in the investigation and adjudication processes stating, "From Day One, it was important that we not only do a deep dive into all that happened before, during and after this tragic incident, but also hold those accountable who violated our policies and, most importantly, the public’s trust." as per Baltimore Police Department. The charges against the involved parties ranged from making false statements, neglect of duty, and unbecoming conduct, to violations concerning Body Worn Camera policy.
Penalties for those charged by the ACC and the DRC include termination, formal counseling, and loss of leave or pay; specifically, one sworn member and one professional staff member were terminated and others were subjected to a loss of pay ranging from two to four days—these administrative decisions were reflective of a department looking within and taking measured steps for accountability, while also navigating the raw, complex relationship it holds with a wounded community seeking closure and justice. Mayor Brandon M. Scott commended the diligence of those responsible for the investigation, highlighting how this tragedy "has left deep scars on all of Baltimore," exacerbated by the clarity that there were preventable errors at play as detailed by the Baltimore Police Department.
The BPD reiterates its commitment to transparency and rebuilding trust with its community. In the wake of the incident, the Department has leveraged best practices for self-assessment and corrections, aligning these efforts with the broader Consent Decree missions. Sworn members, under Maryland state law, do retain the right to request a trial board to contest their charges and/or discipline, while professional members follow the city’s Administrative and Personnel Manual regarding their disciplinary outcomes.
