![[photo, Hazmat 1 truck, Baltimore City Fire Department, Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-06955b.jpg)
As a volunteer service, the first fire company was founded in Baltimore City in 1763. To ensure quick and efficient response to fires in the City, the first professional service was created in 1859. Since then, the Department has expanded to include emergency medical response units, and specialized hazard units to confront emergency needs.
Formed in 2008, the Administration Division consolidated all maintenance, procurement and supply functions for the Fire Department. Moreover, the Division ensures communications between City and volunteer fire and rescue companies, oversees the Fire Academy, and conducts community outreach and training programs.
COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION DIVISION
Within the City Fire Department, the Fire Incendiary Bureau began in February 1938 to investigate possible arsons. The Bureau was restructured as the Fire Investigation Bureau in April 1958. At that time, the Office of Fire Marshal was created.
The Fire Marshal is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of laws regarding arson; fire prevention; the installation and maintenance of fire detection and extinguisher equipment; the availability and adequacy of fire exits at public and commercial establishments; and the storage, sale, or use of explosives and combustibles. To ensure that all new construction meets Fire Code standards, the Office works with City building inspectors, and oversees efforts to bring older commercial buildings up to Code. For State properties and other institution requiring State licensure, the Office performs similar duties as well (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 6-401 through 6-403).
OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Division oversees Emergency Medical Services.
By 1961, the City Park Police joined the Police Department, further increasing the Department's scope and size (Chapter 290, Acts of 1961).
Supervision of the Department transferred from the Board of Police Commissioners to a single Police Commissioner in July 1978. The Police Commissioner was appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent for a six-year term. Since October 1, 2016, however, the Police Commissioner, while still appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, serves at the pleasure of the Mayor (Chapter 193, Acts of 2016).
Today, the Police Department oversees two bureaus: Operations, and Strategic Investigation and Support Services. The Department is aided by the Community Oversight Task Force and the Civilian Review Board.
Under the terms of the Consent Decree, the creation of the Community Oversight Task Force is required. The Mayor appointed its members in June 2017, and by March 2018, the Task Force is to make recommendations to improve civilian oversight of the City's Police Department. To that end, the Task Force will review community policing strategies, and the current operations of the Civilian Review Board.
CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD
The Civilian Review Board reviews Police Department policies, and hears allegations of officer misconduct, such as harassment, excessive force, injury, or abusive language. Thereafter, allegations are investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau. The Board also may conduct its own investigation simultaneously with the Division. Upon review of the Division's report, the Board may dismiss the complaint for lack of evidence, exonerate the accused, recommend disciplinary action, or request further investigation. Within 30 days of receiving the Division report, the Board is required to submit a full report of its own case findings and recommendations to the appropriate unit head. The Board also submits a biannual report of its actions to the Mayor, the City Council, and the Police Commissioner (Code of Public Local Laws, sec. 16-42).
Fourteen members comprise the Board and serve three-year terms. With City Council consent, the Mayor appoints one citizen from each of the nine patrol districts to serve on the Board. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Baltimore City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Vanguard Justice Society each appoint one member. The Baltimore City Police Commissioner serves ex officio (Chapters 196, 197, Acts of 1999; Chapter 290, Acts of 2000; Chapter 499, Acts of 2006; Chapter 130, Acts of 2015).
CHIEF OF STAFF
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
The Division is the primary enforcement branch of the Police Department, and consists of investigation and intelligence officers, the crime lab, and special tactical units. Through the Division, the Police Department maintains a presence in communities, assists in crime prevention, responds to emergency calls for police assistance, and investigates crimes.
Under the Operations Bureau are three divisions: Neighborhood Patrol, Special Operations, and Youth and Community.
NEIGHBORHOOD PATROL DIVISION
The Bureau oversees four main divisions: Homeland Security and Training, Inspectional Services and Integrity, Police Training Academy, and sections for Best Practices, Information Technology, Recruitment and Professional Development, and Science and Management Services.
Today, the Police Training Academy ensures professional and equal treatment of members of the Police Department, as well as the professional and ethical behavior of its members.
OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL
The Office of Fire Marshal originated as Fire Inspector in March 1858. Established by the City Council to assist volunteer fire companies operating in the City, the Fire Inspector was empowered to conduct and enforce all State and local fire ordinances for the City (Chapter 253, Acts of 1858). The office of Fire Inspector was abolished in 1894, when many of its duties were absorbed by the State Fire Marshal (Chapters 248 & 339, Acts of 1894).
Formerly named the Field Operations Division, the Operations Division maintains and coordinates fire and emergency medical services throughout the City to respond to fire emergencies. The Division includes thirty-seven fire stations, as well as hazmat units, fireboats, and a dive rescue unit.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Duties of Emergency Medical Services started in 1927, when the Fire Department added five ambulances to its fleet of vehicles. Responsible for coordinating independent medical response providers in the City, Emergency Medical Services also maintains its own staff of emergency medical technicians, and a fleet of medical response vehicles.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
![[photo, Bishop L. Robinson, Sr., Police Administration Building, 601 East Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-2310.jpg)
Origins of the Police Department trace to the colonial period when Baltimore County constables patrolled the area that later became Baltimore City. The first constables assigned specifically to Baltimore City were authorized by the General Assembly in 1784 (Chapter 69, Acts of 1784). Following the City's separation from Baltimore County in 1851, the State Legislature authorized creation of a City police force in March 1853 (Chapter 46, Acts of 1853).
Bishop L. Robinson, Sr., Police Administration Building, 601 East Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
During the late 1800s, the Police Department was placed under the Board of Police Commissioners, which was charged with expanding the Department, as well as updating and increasing its capabilities. In 1885, the Police Department was restructured, creating new divisions and incorporating new technologies. Call boxes were installed throughout the City, the Harbor Patrol began, and the City's first patrol wagon was purchased. These changes allowed units to stay in better contact, reduce response times, and better police City waterways.
COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE
In April 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and the Baltimore City Police Department entered into a Consent Decree. The purpose of the Consent Decree is to ensure that the City and its Police Department protect the statutory and constitutional rights of individuals, treat individuals with respect and dignity, and be responsive to community priorities for public safety.
Established in October 1999, the Civilian Review Board assumed duties of the Complaint Evaluation Board. Originally limited to the Police Department, Board jurisdiction expanded in 2000 to cover the City School Police, Housing Authority Police, and the Sheriff's Department. In October 2015, jurisdiction again expanded to include the Baltimore City Watershed Police Force, and the police forces of Baltimore City Community College and Morgan State University (Chapter 130, Acts of 2015).
Overseeing the daily administrative duties of the Police Department, the Chief of Staff is responsible for meeting the fiscal and procurement needs of the Department.
The Criminal Investigations Division began as the Crime Reduction Bureau, later was renamed the Operations Bureau, and in September 2017, reformed as the Criminal Investigations Bureau. In February 2018, it was reorganized as a division.
OPERATIONS BUREAU
The Operations Bureau began as the Crime Reduction Bureau, later was renamed the Operations Bureau, and in September 2017 had its functions move into separate divisions. It reformed as the Operations Bureau in February 2018.
The Neighborhood Patrol Division started as part of the Crime Reduction Bureau, which later became the Operations Bureau. It restructured as the Patrol Bureau, which organized in September 2017. Under Operations, it reformed as the Neighborhood Patrol Division in February 2018.
STRATEGIC INVESTIGATION & SUPPORT SERVICES BUREAU
The Strategic Investigation and Support Services Bureau began as the Strategic Services Bureau. It reorganized under its present name in February 2018.
POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY
Duties of the Police Training Academy began in 1900 when the Board of Police Examiners was established. The Board formed to ensure the qualifications of an expanding police force (Chapter 16, Acts of 1900). To further ensure professional standards, the Baltimore City Police Academy opened in 1913, providing specialized training to recruits. It later was renamed the Professional Development and Training Academy, and then the Police Training Academy.
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