Mayor Sheila Dixon said Thursday morning that she will conduct a nationwide search for a new police commissioner following the forced resignation of embattled Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm.
With Baltimore facing a soaring murder rate, Hamm resigned at the request of the mayor, who appointed Hamm?s second in command, Deputy Commissioner Col. Frederick Bealefeld IV, as acting commissioner.
“I believe it?s time for new leadership at the police department,” Dixon said at City Hall. “Now is the time to make that change. … I have requested and I have received the resignation of Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm, effective immediately.”
Through a spokesman, Hamm declined comment. The former commissioner has traveled to North Carolina, sources said.
Dixon thanked Hamm for his service to Baltimore.
“The job of police commissioner requires 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week attention, and it takes priority over family, friends and everything else,” she said. “Commissioner Hamm has willingly made those sacrifices for the past two and a half years, and he is ready to do other things.”
Bealefeld has served as deputy commissioner since February. He is a former area chief, commander of the Southern District, chief of detectives, commander of the citywide narcotics section and a supervisor of the homicide division.
“I appreciate the confidence the mayor has placed in me,” Bealefeld said. “… My goal here is very simple: I want to build on the good work of my predecessors, make the changes … and vigorously, vigorously attack violent crime in this city.”
Bealefeld said he believes in Dixon?s “comprehensive strategy” for fighting crime.
“It?s a tough task we have,” Bealefeld said. “We?re up to it, and together we will make this city safer.”
With 176 homicides through Wednesday, Baltimore, one of America?s most violent cities, is on pace to break 300 slayings for the first time since 1999, and about 70 percent of those cases remain unsolved. Shootings also are up about 35 percent.
“This is an enormous responsibility, and I don?t take it lightly,” Bealefeld said. “The city, our city, demands action. The mayor expects results. I?m committed to producing that from this hour forward.”
