In his first major move as acting Baltimore police commissioner, Frederick Bealefeld forced out the department?s deputy of administration and promoted three others to high-ranking positions.
“We?re plus-28 homicides. We?re plus-102 nonfatal shootings,” Bealefeld said at a Monday news conference, referring to this year?s statistics thus far compared with the same period last year. “Despite the fact that violent crime is down as a whole in this city, we need to really make some inroads in the violence in this city. I need to assemble the very best team I can to get this job done.”
Bealefeld asked Deputy Commissioner Errol Dutton to retire after 31 years. Col. Deborah Owens replaced him as acting deputy commissioner of administration.
Col. Anthony Barksdale was promoted to acting deputy commissioner of operations, Bealefeld?s old job.
“Tony Barksdale is a drug cop by trade,” Bealefeld said. “… I know Tony Barksdale gets the job done.”
Lt. Col. John Skinner will replace Owens as acting chief of patrol.
Baltimore police union president Paul Blair said he was saddened to learn of Dutton?s abrupt retirement.
“We?re very sorry to hear that Errol Dutton was forced out,” Blair said. “… He never once mentioned he even was considering retirement.”
Bealefeld said he met with Dutton on Monday morning.
“I talked about my leadership plan and determined it was the right time for him to retire,” Bealefeld said.
