Baltimore County officials said changes are coming to the police department.
County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, along with Police Chief Jim Johnson and Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, the director of Health and Human Services, held a press conference Wednesday to address issues within the department.
Kamenetz said he's ordering independent reviews of police policies on body cameras, sex assault de-escalation and responding to those with behavioral health issues.
The police department currently has 128 officers outfitted with body cameras. The deadline for full force deployment has been moved up from December 2018 to September 2017.
Police have asked the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault to review the department's sexual assault policies and suggest changes. Kamenetz is also asking Chief Johnson to review all second-degree sexual assault cases over the last three years.
RELATED: Family of Korryn Gaines to sue Baltimore County, officer who shot her
Wednesday’s press conference comes on the heels of a $2 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Korryn Gaines, who was shot after an hours-long standoff with police, and the recent release of a Buzzfeed article that called the department out for its handling of rape cases.
.@BACOPoliceFire changes and reviews being sought by @kevinkamenetz pic.twitter.com/VtGIh8YdGw
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) October 19, 2016
.@BACOPoliceFire 2 have news conf on police training in de-escalation + those w/behavioral issues following #KorrynGaines + #TawonBoyd cases
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) October 19, 2016
RELATED: Baltimore County Police Chief responds to Buzzfeed article on rape cases
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