Two retired. Another left for medical reasons. Two others were transferred after they publicly celebrated an indicted police officer?s court victory. The number of Baltimore police officers assigned to Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy?s office has dropped from seven to two investigators, leaving more than 70 percent of the unit?s positions unfilled since February.
“It?s a small unit that?s been very effective at finding witnesses and doing investigations for our office,” Jessamy spokeswoman Margaret Burns said. “Now, we don?t have anybody to find witnesses.”
The police officers assigned to Jessamy are charged with rounding up witnesses, investigating allegations of past sex abuses and providing security for city?s top prosecutor.
Because the police department has not filled the positions in the unit, Jessamy will likely have to forgo certain security measures.
On Friday, the veteran prosecutor is expected to begin driving herself to work, instead of having an officer drive her, Burns said.
In late January, the police department transferred out two officers assigned to Jessamy?s unit after they publicly celebrated a court case in which Jessamy lost ? Baltimore Police Officer Jemini Jones? acquittal of rape charges.
The failure to fill the positions since that time evidences the lack of staffing plaguing many areas of the police department, Burns said.
“We?re feeling the effects of a department that is not fully staffed,” she said. “Whenever a witness can?t be located or they go underground, it puts our cases in jeopardy. That occurs on a regular basis. The need for their work is more important than ever.”
Several politicians have decried the amount of unfilled positions in the Baltimore Police Department.
Mayor Sheila Dixon said the department has hired 231 officers in 2007 ? more than the 206 new officers hired in 2006.
Baltimore police spokesman Matt Jablow did not return calls for comment.
