BALTIMORE — Michael Harrison is stepping down as Baltimore Police Commissioner.
Mayor Brandon Scott made the announcement Thursday morning.
Current deputy commissioner Richard Worley has been nominated as his replacement.
Former Mayor Catherine Pugh appointed Harrison in February 2019, while he was serving as commissioner with the New Orleans Police Department.
He permanently took over for Darryl D. DeSousa who was convicted on federal charges after just four months in the position.
Much like his time in Louisiana Harrison's entire stint as top cop in Baltimore was spent under a federal consent decree, which remains in effect today.
In each of his four years leading the department, Baltimore has surpassed 330 homicides.
This year, however, the City is on pace to finish below 300 murders. If the trend continues it would mark the first time since 2014 the grim milestone isn't reached.
So far in 2023 the City has recorded 121 homicides, 29 less than this time last year.
Despite a decrease in shootings, the department still faces significant staffing shortages.
The problem has been the subject of quarterly hearings with a federal judge overseeing the consent decree.
Baltimore City's Fraternal Order of Police claims the department is short 700 officers, including 300 in patrol.
The last graduating academy class barely topped a dozen recruits, sources say.
Harrison leaves with about nine-months left on a five-year contract that pays him north of $300,000 annually. He says there are no immediate plans to join another department.
Some have applauded Harrison's efforts while others have been critical.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said "Harrison's work to reform the Baltimore Police Department is one of the most impressive displays of leadership our city has seen in its troubled history of mass incarceration and abuses of power."
Scott echoed those remarks saying Harrison left the department in a better place than he found it.
Meanwhile the police union has been one of his most vocal critics.
"The number one responsibility of a police commissioner is to protect its citizens from violent criminals today, tomorrow, and next week rather than to holistically plan for decades of social work, that is for others," the FOP tweeted in reaction to Harrison's departure. "How many have lost their lives from this failed approach?"
As for Worley, the Pig Town native's risen through the department ranks over a career that's spanned more than two decades.
“Deputy Commissioner Worley has proven his commitment to our city time and time again," said Scott. "As a fellow son of Baltimore and an experienced public servant, it is clear that he is the right person to lead this department into the future.”
