Annapolis? interim police chief is working on solutions to the rise in violent crime, putting the national search for a new chief on hold.
“Conducting a full national search for a police chief at this time may be detrimental to reorganization of the police department,” wrote Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer in a memo to the city council?s public safety committee.
A recent study from the International City/County Management Association, a Washington-based consulting firm, indicated that Annapolis police should increase patrols with a special team of officers focused on public housing communities in the midst of high-crime areas.
Since the beginning of the year, most of the city?s six homicides occurred in low-income housing communities. Eight homicides took place in Annapolis in 2007, police said.
Among the study?s recommendations, presented to the Annapolis City Council in June, were:
» A unit of four officers and a supervisor patrol during high-crime hours in Annapolis? 10 public housing complexes;
» The entire department have a minimum of 117 employees.
Michael Pristoop, 42, has been serving as the interim chief of police since May. The previous chief, Joseph Johnson, retired in June.
Pristoop had served 20 years in the Baltimore City police department and left as a major on an assignment as district commander, said HalDalton, spokesman for the Annapolis police.
Pristoop came to the Annapolis police department this past June after a short stint with the state?s Department of General Services Police Department, he said.
International City/County Management Association has spoken highly of Pristoop and recommended hiring Pristoop as the permanent chief.
“The idea was to wait until September to take a look at how things were progressing,” said Ray Weaver, the city?s spokesman, referring to the search for a new chief.
The firm on Friday deferred all further comments on its study to the city.
Officials will continue giving their presentation on the study at the City Council on July 21.
