Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake planned to introduce a resolution at Monday?s council meeting calling for Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy to provide better training for police officers.
City prosecutors have provided “rigorous” training for many years, but police abruptly ended that legal teaching in January, State?s Attorney?s Office spokeswoman Margaret Burns said.
Baltimore Police Department spokesman Sterling Clifford said members of the police command staff have recently taken over legal training of veteran officers.
The Examiner interviewed Rawlings-Blake to learn more about her plans.
What?s the impetus for the resolution?
It?s on the minds of the people of Baltimore. Two months ago, when I asked rank-and-file officers if they felt the State?s Attorney?s Office was their partner in crime fighting, there were very few hands that went up.
Why introduce a resolution ? which carries no legal weight ? to address the serious issue of suspects avoiding punishment?
The main purpose of the hearing is to start a dialogue. The officers didn?t go to law school. The police need help with explaining the circumstances surrounding searches, stops and arrests.
You and fellow Council Member Jim Kraft have clashed with Jessamy, including a heated hearing in March 2006 in which you both walked out on her. Do you think that feud will hurt your efforts?
I have no doubt that any call for accountability will be meet with hostility.
Who?s going to pay for the increased training?
My hope is that we will find money in the city budget for it.
