Gov. Martin O?Malley proposed closing the state police barrack in Annapolis as part of his 2009 budget plan. If approved, troopers now stationed in Annapolis would move July 1 to the Glen Burnie barrack. State Police spokesman Greg Shipley spoke with The Examiner about shutting down the barrack.
What?s your take on the plan?
We?re hoping this will actually result in more positive state police coverage … This is closing a facility but not eliminating personnel resources. The troopers will simply work at a consolidated barrack in that same county.
How will combining barracks influence police coverage?
We have troopers at [both] barracks divided up into groups that each have a supervisor. We?ll be able to combine those groups and have added supervisors to put on the road. Right now, the supervisor at each barrack is pretty much strapped to the duty officer?s desk answering calls, but now they?ll be able to get out there and assist.
Will some lose their jobs as a result of consolidation?
We?ll have a duplication of barrack commanders and first sergeants, and they?ll be assigned to other positions in the state police because there?s no need to duplicate the barrack commander assistant commander. They would maintain their same rank and pay. That?s not unusual within the Maryland State Police.
How is this going to save $327,000?
It?s going to enable them to combine their resources in a way that will make them more efficient. We have the cost of maintaining the [Annapolis] facility, a garage and a 24-hour barracks operation. It also could save us some overtime costs, because if we?re able to provide extra personnel in a combined barrack, then there?s less possibility of incurring overtime.
So, this is a welcomed change?
We?re hoping this will actually result in more positive state police coverage in Anne Arundel County. This is something that?s been through careful review, and obviously there are needs for budget cuts and we all have to be a part of that. This is one of those things you don?t necessarily like to do, but we believe it will have a positive effect. It?s the best we can hope for in this time of budget constraints.
