The Shadow Commissioner, Sheryl Goldstein

BALTIMORE SPECTATOR EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Sources claim Commissioner Bealefeld merely a puppet of Mayor's Office
The Baltimore Police Department continues to remain a source of much controversy and juicy new columns. Widespread speculation continues on who is actually in charge of the police department. Sources from deep inside city hall and the Baltimore Police department tell The Baltimore Spectator that Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld is not actually the person in charge of the Baltimore Police Department. While publicly Bealefeld receives unanimous praise and admiration from the City Council, many insiders allege that he serves mainly as a visual leader with actual policy and decision making being performed by others, mainly Sheryl Goldstein (pictured left) of the Mayor's Office Of Criminal Justice.

Bealefeld has publicly admitted to not being the one to develop new policy. Concerning the controversial policy change of no longer releasing the names of officers involved in shootings, Bealefeld testified before the City Council that new PR man Anthony Guglielmi, Director of Public Affairs Division, actually created the policy. We wonder what other policies and decisions were not made by Bealefeld. The question still remains, who's actually in charge? Where's the leadership? This revelation brought immediate criticism from senior Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke among others. Many in city hall and the department were troubled by, but remain reluctant to come forward.

Members of the City Council have gone on record with The Spectator in supporting Bealefeld (see video), even going as far as saying they will not micro manage the police department. The Mayor's office on the other hand, may see things differently.

For a department that has been controversial and under fire, including repeated inquiries from the Justice Department and ongoing investigations of widespread corruption, officer misconduct, and institutional racism, knowing who is actually in charge is very important. Public trust and confidence in the Baltimore Police Department is at an all time low.

Mayor Sheila Dixon's office, nor the Baltimore City Council, or the Baltimore Police Department will go on record in discussing this, however, The Baltimore Spectator can reveal, without any reservations, our sources stand behind this shocking claim.

developing....


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Baltimore Cop Challenges Name Withholding Policy

Commissioner Bealefeld Not In Charge

Sources close to the situation have been revealing details to the Baltimore Spectator over the last several weeks. The claim is Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld III, is more of a figurehead puppet than an actual leader. Our sources tell us someone else, a woman (not who you think), is actually in charge of the Baltimore Police Department.

We're attempting to get a response or comment from the Department and the Commissioners office. None received so far.

So who's really running the department anyhow?

. . . developing

Commissioner Bealefeld Testifies Before City Council -- Explains Controversial Policy Change

UPDATED:

At city hall yesterday, Councilman Jack Young had questions, and Police Commissioner Bealefeld had answers.

Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld went to city hall yesterday for a hearing called by Young to clarify a controversial new policy regarding police involved shootings.

The Commissioner said that while the names of officers involved in shootings will initially be withheld from the public. The officers age, race, sex and history with the department would be immediately disclosed.

At a meeting that had a few tense moments with Commissioner Bealefeld being chided for not having more open and direct communications with city hall. The Commissioner left drawing high praises.

After the hearing Councilman Bob Curran stressed his support for the Commissioner and Mayor Sheila Dixon, adding that he believes they are on the right track in reducing Baltimore crime.

See exclusive video of the hearing


A hearing called by City Councilman Bernard C. "Jack" Young, chairman of the Public Safety committee was held at City Hall this afternoon. Before a partial showing of the city council, Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld fielded a variety of questions. At times the Commissioner was peppered with questions by council members and appeared tense and slightly defensive...developing....

FLASHBACK: Homicides Up, Police Overtime Down

by;
A.F. James MacArthur, Managing Editor

Despite a strongly delivered denial when this writer asked Mayor Dixon about a possible connection between an increase in homicides and police overtime being drastically cutback (see press conference near end of video), there may be proof to support the assertion of many city critics.

In December 2008, Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton's article looked at the issue, disputing the official denial. "Detectives are being told, you can't finish working a case, you have to go home. We can't put foot men in a certain area, it will cost overtime. And district commanders are being beaten down if they spend over," according to former homicide Detective Robert F. Cherry. "You're lying to the public if you say we're attacking all forms of crime, and you're lying if you say the budget cuts have no effect."

Adding to the controversy is a widely held belief of homicide numbers being artificially low. This assertion has led to heated conflict and tension between City Councilman Bernard C. "Jack" Young, and Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, even prompting Councilman Young to hold retaliatory hearings, after being kicked out of a police COMSTAT meeting by Bealefeld. Young has called the Commissioner to testify before the council this Thursday (see prior post). Young questions the validity of the highly celebrated sharp reduction in homicides reported late last year. Many others also cast doubt when speaking off the record to this writer.

Although the total homicide count for last year did indeed show a reduction, in November, as Mayor Dixon's directive to greatly reduce police overtime took effect, the tide seemed to be turning. The month saw a record 31 homicides as part of a trend leading the murder rate back on track to it's normally high numbers.

While Commissioner Bealefeld, in an interview with this reporter (see video), has said we need to "stop focusing on numbers." As public perception of safety in Baltimore City continues to erode, it's hard not to think about it. Just yesterday, a reader in Ireland landed on The Baltimore Spectator after googling the search term "is Baltimore safe."

Clearly the national and international perception of Baltimore closely lines up with the onscreen depictions of shows such as The Wire, Homicide and others. No amount of rhetoric and denial will change the reality faced by so many who have lost a friend, relative or co-worker to Baltimore's violence. Ask any 10 people if they've been affected and I guarantee you at least eight out of ten people in Baltimore can tell you about the direct impact a murder has had in their life.

Although I continue you to ask, there's still no answer to the question, "What's Up Baltimore?"

UPDATE: Police Commissioner Responds

After an exclusive revelation by this blog, that Police Commissioner Bealefeld had not responded to a written request from the City Council, it seems like the Commish has responded to being called out. (Note: we have direct knowledge that the Commissioner's office is aware of, and reads this blog)

Apparently, after several weeks, the Police Commissioner has finally responded to the City Councils written request for clarification on the controversial sudden change in policy. For the record, The Baltimore Spectator thinks this policy is 100% taking a huge step backwards and is the wrong move at a time when public distrust of the police department is so high.

Today's Baltimore Sun ran a story on it.


Filed by; A.F. James MacArthur
Guest Editor to The Baltimore Spectator
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See the video that's been creating all the controversy (What's Up Baltimore preview)

Police Commissioner To Explain Controversial Policy Change

The Baltimore Spectator has learned that city Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld (pictured above) will appear before the City Council for an informational hearing. City Councilman Bernard "Jack" Young is demanding an explanation of the sudden change in a long standing policy of releasing the names of police officers who kill or injure citizens.

The hearing, scheduled for February 12, comes after Councilman Young sent a written request for clarification and explanation to Bealefeld. As of this writing, the Commissioner has yet to respond to the request. Young, an increasingly vocal critic of the Baltimore Police Department, has openly questioned the recently reported low homicide rate, suggesting the true number may be much higher.

In a phone interview with The Spectator, Young said there were many deaths on the books whose cause are officially classified as "pending" and or "undetermined." Young believes this is a clever way of delaying and or hiding the truth about how many murders actually occurred in Baltimore.

At a recent weekly police COMSTAT meeting, Councilman Young was asked why he was there by Commissioner Bealefeld then promptly asked to leave, and escorted out. The move was disturbing to Young, leaving him to wonder what's there to hide. Young is the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Health, handling among other matters, the budget for the police department.


Filed by; A.F. James MacArthur
Guest Editor to The Baltimore Spectator
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See the video that's been creating all the controversy (What's Up Baltimore preview)