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Baltimore City Council votes to control police department

BPD has been a state agency since the Civil War
Posted 1:13 AM, Feb 28, 2017
and last updated 11:32 AM, Feb 28, 2017

Baltimore's City Council  wants to have control over the city's police department. 

Monday, members passed a resolution in support of  a House bill in Annapolis that would make Baltimore police a city agency.

The state has controlled the police department since the Civil War. Now the city wants it back.

State Delegate Curt Anderson introduced a bill to give the city of Baltimore legislative control over its police department.  Currently the city only has the power to choose its commissioner.

If the bill passes, Councilman Brandon Scott said it would lead to more transparency and a direct citizen check of the department.