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List of commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department

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Since 1920, the Baltimore Police Department has been led by a single commissioner. Prior to this, it was led by a multi-member board of commissioners.

Commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department

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Presidents of the Board of Police Commissioners

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Morris Ames Soper (president of the Board of Police Commissioners, 1912–1913)

Before 1920, the department was led by a multi-member Board of Police Commissioners. This board was led by a president.

Order Name Tenure start Tenure end Mayor(s) served alongside/under Ref
1st Charles Howard 1850 1861 [1]
Department under United States Military control (June 1861–March 29, 1862) [1]
2nd Nicholas L. Wood March 29, 1862 1864 [1]
3rd Samuel Hindes 1864 November 15, 1866 [1]
4th James Young November 15, 1866 March 1867 [1]
5th LeFevre Jarrett March 1867 March 14, 1870 [1]
6th John W. Davis March 14, 1870 March 15, 1871 [1]
7th William H. B. Fusselbaugh March 15, 1871 March 15, 1881 [1]
8th George Colton March 15, 1881 March 15, 1887 [1]
9th Edson M. Schryver March 15, 1887 March 15, 1897 [1]
10th Daniel C. Heddinger March 15, 1897 May 7, 1900 [1]
11th George M. Upshur May 7, 1900 May 2, 1904 [1]
12th George R. Willis May 2, 1904 May 4, 1908 [1]
13th Sherlock Swann May 4, 1908 May 2, 1910 [1]
14th John B. A. Wheltle May 2, 1910 April 4, 1912 [1][2]
15th Morris Ames Soper April 4, 1912 December 31, 1913 [1][3]
16th James McEvoy December 31, 1913 December 28, 1914 [1]
17th Daniel C. Ammidon December 28, 1914 March 22, 1916 [1]
18th Lawrason Riggs May 1, 1916 1920 [1]

Police commissioners since 1920

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Order Name Tenure start Tenure end Mayor(s) served alongside/under Notes Ref
19th Charles D. Gaither 1920 1937 First solo police commissioner after disestablishment of board of commissioners [1]
20th William P. Lawson 1937 July 31, 1938 [1][4]
— Stephen G. Nelson (interim) July 31, 1938 September 23, 1938 [4]
21st Robert F. Stanton September 23, 1938 1943 [1][5]
22nd Hamilton R. Atkinson 1943 1949 [1]
23rd Beverly Ober 1949 April 7, 1955 Died in office. [1][6]
— Fred L. Ford (interim) April 7, 1955 1955 [6]
24th James M. Hepbron 1955 1961 [1]
25th Bernard Schmidt 1961 1966 [1]
26th Donald Pomerleau 1966 1981 [1]
27th Frank Battaglia 1981 1984 [1]
28th Bishop Robinson 1984 1987 [1]
29th Edward J. Tilghman 1987 1989 [1]
30th Edward V. Woods 1989 1993 [1]
31st Thomas C. Frazier 1994 October 1, 1999 [1][7]
John E. Gavrilis, Elbert Shirley, and Robert Smith rotated as interim police commissioners October 1, 1999 2000 [7]
32nd Ronald L. Daniel February 7, 2000 March 29, 2000 [1][8]
33rd Edward T. Norris 2000 2002 [1]
34th Kevin P. Clark 2002 2004 [1]
35th Leonard Hamm 2004 2007 [1]
36th Frederick H. Bealefeld III 2007 2012 [1]
37th Anthony Batts September 27, 2012 July 8, 2015 [9][10][11]
38th Kevin Davis July 8, 2015 January 19, 2018 Interim commissioner from July 8, 2015, to October 19, 2015. [12][13][14]
39th Darryl D. De Sousa January 19, 2018 May 15, 2018 Interim commissioner from January 19, 2018, to February 26, 2018. [14][15][16]
— Gary Tuggle (interim) May 15, 2018 2019 [1][17]
40th Michael S. Harrison March 12, 2019 June 8, 2023 [18]
41st Richard Worley June 8, 2023 — Interim commissioner from June 8, 2023, to October 2, 2023. [19][20]

Board of Commissioners membership (1850–1920)

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Timeline

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Board of Commissioners composition (1850–1920)[1]
Time period President Other members
1850–1861 Charles Howard
  • John W. Davis
  • William H. Gatchell
  • Charles D. Hinks
  • mayor an ex-officio member
June 1861–March 29, 1862
Department was under United States Military control. Board members appointed by the military authorities.
  • Thomas Kelso
  • John R. Kelso
  • Columbus O'Donnell
  • John W. Randolph
  • Joseph Roberts
  • John B. Seidenstricker
  • Archibald Sterling Jr.
  • Peter Sauerwein
  • Michael Warner
March 29, 1862–1864 Nicholas L. Wood
  • Samuel Hinds
  • mayor an ex-officio member
1864–November 15, 1866 Samuel Hindes
  • Nicholas K. Woods
  • mayor an ex-officio member
November 15, 1866–March 1867 James Young
  • William T. Valiant
  • mayor an ex-officio member
March 1867–March 14, 1870 LeFevre Jarrett
  • James E. Carr
  • William H. B. Fusselbaugh
March 14, 1870–March 15, 1871 John W. Davis
  • James E. Carr
  • William H. B. Fusselbaugh
March 15, 1871–March 15, 1875 William H. B. Fusselbaugh
  • James E. Carr
  • Thomas W. Morse
March 15, 1875–March 15, 1877
  • Harry Gilmor
  • John Milroy
March 15, 1877–April 12, 1878
  • Harry Gilmor
  • James R. Hebert
April 12, 1878–March 15, 1881
  • James R. Herbert
  • John Milroy
March 15, 1881–August 5, 1884 George Colton
  • James R. Herbert
  • John Milroy
August 5, 1884–February 25, 1886
  • John Milroy
  • J. D. Furguson
February 25, 1886–June 25, 1886
  • John Q. A. Robson
  • John Milroy
June 25, 1886–March 15, 1887
  • John Q. A. Robson
  • Afred J. Carr
March 15, 1887–January 23, 1888 Edson M. Schryver
  • Alfred J. Carr
June 25, January 23, 1888–December 1, 1894
  • John Gil Jr.
  • John Q. A. Robson
December 1, 1894–March 27, 1896
  • John Gil Jr.
  • John C. Legg
March 27, 1896–March 15, 1897
  • Jonh Gill Jr.
  • Daniel C. Heddinger
March 15, 1897–May 7, 1900 Daniel C. Heddinger
  • William W. Johnson
  • Edison M. Schryver
May 7, 1900–March 23, 1904 George M. Upshur
  • Edward H. Fowler
  • John T. Morris
March 23, 1904–May 2, 1904
  • John T. Morris
  • Thomas J. Shryock
May 2, 1904–May 4, 1908 George R. Willis
  • James H. Preston
  • Thomas J. Shryock
May 4, 1908–May 2, 1910 Sherlock Swann
  • Peter E. Tome
  • John B. A. Wheltle
May 2, 1910–April 4, 1912 John B. A. Wheltle
  • Peter E. Tome
  • C. Baker Clotworthy
April 4, 1912–May 6, 1912
May 6, 1912–December 31, 1913 Morris Ames Soper
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Alfred S. Niles
December 31, 1913–December 28, 1914 James McEvoy
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Alfred S. Niles
December 28, 1914–March 22, 1916 Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Clarendon I. T. Gould
  • Alfred S. Niles
March 22, 1916–May 1, 1916
May 1, 1916–1920 Lawrason Riggs
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Edward F. Burke

List of members by name

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The following is a list of all of those who served as members of the former board of commissioners. Periods as board president are also noted in itallics:[1]

  • Daniel C. Ammidon (April 4, 1912–1920) –president December 28, 1914 – March 22, 1916
  • Alfred J. Carr (June 25, 1886–January 23, 1888)
  • James E. Carr (March 1867–March 15, 1871)
  • C. Baker Clotworthy (May 2, 1910–April 4, 1912)
  • George Colton (March 15, 1881–March 15, 1887) -president March 15, 1881 – March 15, 1887
  • John W. Davis (1850–1861; March 14, 1870–March 15, 1871) –chair March 14, 1870 – March 15, 1871
  • J. D. Ferguson (August 5, 1884–February 25, 1886)
  • Edward H. Fowler (May 7, 1900–March 23, 1904)
  • John Gill Jr. (January 23, 1888–March 15, 1897)
  • Clarendon I. T. Gould (December 28, 1914–March 22, 1916)
  • William H. B. Fusselbaugh (March 1867–March 15, 1881) -president March 15, 1871 – March 15, 1881
  • William H. Gatchell (1850–1861)
  • Harry Gilmor (March 15, 1875–April 12, 1878)
  • Daniel C. Heddinger (March 27, 1896–May 7, 1900) –president March 15, 1897 – May 7, 1900
  • James R. Herbert (April 12, 1878–August 5, 1884)
  • Samuel Hindes (March 29, 1862–November 15, 1866) -president March 29, 1862 – November 15, 1866
  • Charles D. Hinks (1850–1861)
  • Charles Howard (1850–1861) -president 1850–1860
  • LeFevre Jarrett (March 1867–March 14, 1870) –president March 1867–March 14, 1870
  • William W. Johnson (March 15, 1897–May 7, 1900)
  • Thomas Kelso (June 22, 1861–March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • John R. Kelso (June 22, 1861–March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • John C. Legg (December 1, 1894–March 27, 1896)
  • James McEvoy (December 31, 1913–December 28, 1914) –president December 31, 1913 – December 28, 1914
  • John Milroy (March 15, 1875 – March 15, 1877; April 12, 1878 – June 25, 1886)
  • John T. Morris (May 7, 1900 – May 2, 1904)
  • Thomas W. Morse (March 15, 1871 – March 15, 1875)
  • Alfred S. Niles (May 6, 1912 – May 1, 1916)
  • Columbus O'Donnell (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • James H. Preston (May 2, 1904 – May 4, 1908)
  • John W. Randolph (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • Lawrason Riggs (March 22, 1916 – 1920) –president May 1, 1916–1920
  • Joseph Roberts (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • John Q. A. Robson (February 25, 1886 – December 1, 1894)
  • Peter Sauerwein (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • John B. Seidenstricker (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • Archibald Sterling Jr. (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • Edson M. Schryver (March 15, 1887 – May 7, 1900) –president March 15, 1887–March 15, 1897
  • Thomas J. Shryock (March 23, 1904 – May 4, 1908)
  • George A. Solter (1910–1914)[21]
  • Morris Ames Soper (April 4, 1912 – December 31, 1913) –president May 6, 1912–December 31, 1913
  • Peter E. Tome (May 4, 1908 – May 6, 1912)
  • Michael Warner (June 22, 1861 – March 29, 1862 appointed by military)
  • George R. Willis (May 2, 1904 – May 4, 1908) –president May 2, 1904–May 4, 1908
  • John B. A. Wheltle (May 4, 1908 – May 6, 1912) –president May 2, 1910–1912
  • Nicholas L. Wood (March 29, 1862 – November 15, 1866) -president 1850–1860
  • George M. Upshur (May 7, 1900 – May 2, 1904) –president 1900-1904
  • William T. Valiant (November 15, 1866–March 1867)
  • James Young (November 15, 1866–March 1867)

Mayors that served as ex-officio members

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Society, Baltimore Police Historical. "Commissioners". Baltimore Police Museum. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "New Police Board Men Learn Ropes". The Baltimore Sun. April 8, 1912. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "New Boards In Charge". The Baltimore Sun. May 7, 1912. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Lawson Quits Police Post 'Temporarily,' Until Sec Fraud Charges Are Heard". The Baltimore Sun. July 31, 1938. pp. 1, 9. Retrieved January 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Ames, C. Delano (September 23, 1938). "The Cops and Their New Commissioner". The Evening Sun. p. 33. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Ober Funeral Arranged For Tomorrow". The Baltimore Sun. April 8, 1955. pp. 33, 44. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Hermann, Peter (September 25, 1999). "Commissioner emphasizes his successes". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Hermann, Peter; Shields, Gerald (March 30, 2000). "Daniel quitting as police chief; Mayor says the two could not agree on how to get job done; Daniel held post 57 days; Friction with mayor, outside consultants leads to resignation". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Baltimore police commissioner expected to be former Oakland chief - Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. August 27, 2012. Archived from the original on August 29, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "Why can't Baltimore solve its crime epidemic? - Baltimore Post-Examiner". Baltimore Post Examiner. March 13, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  11. ^ Graham, David A. (July 8, 2015). "Baltimore's Mayor Fires Her Police Commissioner". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Handore, Pratik (May 3, 2022). "Is Kevin Davis Based on a Real Person? Where is He Now?". The Cinemaholic. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  13. ^ Cassie, Ron (October 20, 2015). "Kevin Davis Confirmed as New City Police Chief". Baltimore Magazine. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Rector, Kevin (January 19, 2018). "Baltimore Police commissioner Kevin Davis fired by Mayor Pugh, citing rising crime". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  15. ^ "Darryl De Sousa Confirmed As New Baltimore Police Commissioner". WOLB Talk 1010. February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  16. ^ "Former Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to File Tax Returns". www.justice.gov. March 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  17. ^ Herring, Vanessa (May 15, 2018). "Acting BPD Commissioner Gary Tuggle says it's 'business as usual'". WBAL. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jessica (March 12, 2019). "Michael Harrison sworn in as Baltimore's 41st police commissioner". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  19. ^ Price, Lilly (June 8, 2023). "Who is Richard Worley, the new acting Baltimore Police commissioner?". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  20. ^ Sullivan, Emily (October 2, 2023). "City Council confirms Richard Worley as Baltimore Police Commissioner". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  21. ^ "George A. Solter". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. November 11, 2005. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
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