List of commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department explained

Since 1920, the Baltimore Police Department has been led by a single commissioner. Prior to this, it was led by a multi-member board of commissioners.

Commissioners of the Baltimore Police Department

Presidents of the Board of Police Commissioners

Before 1920, the department was led by a multi-member Board of Police Commissioners. This board was led by a president.

OrderNameTenure startTenure endMayor(s) served alongside/underRef
1st Charles Howard 1850 1861 [1]
Department under United States Military control (June 1861–March 29, 1862)
2nd Nicholas L. Wood March 29, 1862 1864
3rd Samuel Hindes 1864 November 15, 1866
4th James Young November 15, 1866 March 1867
5th LeFevre Jarrett March 1867 March 14, 1870
6th John W. Davis March 14, 1870 March 15, 1871
7th William H. B. Fusselbaugh March 15, 1871 March 15, 1881
8th March 15, 1881 March 15, 1887
9th Edson M. Schryver March 15, 1887 March 15, 1897
10th Daniel C. Heddinger March 15, 1897 May 7, 1900
11th May 7, 1900 May 2, 1904
12th George R. Willis May 2, 1904 May 4, 1908
13th Sherlock Swann May 4, 1908 May 2, 1910
14th John B. A. Wheltle May 2, 1910 April 4, 1912 [2]
15th April 4, 1912 December 31, 1913 [3]
16th James McEvoy December 31, 1913 December 28, 1914
17th Daniel C. Ammidon December 28, 1914 March 22, 1916
18th May 1, 1916 1920

Police commissioners since 1920

OrderNameTenure startTenure endMayor(s) served alongside/underNotesRef
19th 1920 1937 First solo police commissioner after disestablishment of board of commissioners
20th 1937 July 31, 1938 [4]
Stephen G. Nelson (interim) July 31, 1938 September 23, 1938
21st Robert F. Stanton September 23, 1938 1943 [5]
22nd Hamilton R. Atkinson 1943 1949
23rd Beverly Ober 1949 April 7, 1955 Died in office. [6]
Fred L. Ford (interim) April 7, 1955 1955
24th James M. Hepbron 1955 1961
25th Bernard Schmidt 1961 1966
26th 1966 1981
27th 1981 1984
28th 1984 1987
29th Edward J. Tilghman 1987 1989
30th Edward V. Woods 1989 1993
31st Thomas C. Frazier 1994 October 1, 1999 [7]
John E. Gavrilis, Elbert Shirley, and Robert Smith rotated as interim police commissioners October 1, 1999 2000
32nd February 7, 2000 March 29, 2000 [8]
33rd 2000 2002
34th 2002 2004
35th 2004 2007
36th 2007 2012
37th September 27, 2012 July 8, 2015 [9] [10] [11]
38th July 8, 2015 January 19, 2018 Interim commissioner from July 8, 2015, to October 19, 2015. [12] [13] [14]
39th Darryl D. De SousaJanuary 19, 2018 May 15, 2018 Interim commissioner from January 19, 2018, to February 26, 2018. [15] [16]
Gary Tuggle (interim) May 15, 2018 2019 [17]
40th March 12, 2019 June 8, 2023 [18]
41st June 8, 2023 Interim commissioner from June 8, 2023, to October 2, 2023.[19] [20]

Board of Commissioners membership (1850–1920)

Timeline

Board of Commissioners composition (1850–1920)
Time periodPresidentOther members
1850–1861 Charles Howard
  • John W. Davis
  • William H. Gatchell
  • Charles D. Hinks
  • mayor an ex-officio member
June 1861–March 29, 1862
  • Thomas Kelso
  • John R. Kelso
  • Columbus O'Donnell
  • John W. Randolph
  • Joseph Roberts
  • John B. Seidenstricker
  • Archibald Sterling Jr.
  • Peter Sauerwein
  • Michael Warner
March 29, 1862–1864 Nicholas L. Wood
  • Samuel Hinds
  • mayor an ex-officio member
1864–November 15, 1866 Samuel Hindes
  • Nicholas K. Woods
  • mayor an ex-officio member
November 15, 1866–March 1867 James Young
  • William T. Valiant
  • mayor an ex-officio member
March 1867–March 14, 1870 LeFevre Jarrett
  • James E. Carr
  • William H. B. Fusselbaugh
March 14, 1870–March 15, 1871 John W. Davis
  • James E. Carr
  • William H. B. Fusselbaugh
March 15, 1871–March 15, 1875 William H. B. Fusselbaugh
  • James E. Carr
  • Thomas W. Morse
March 15, 1875–March 15, 1877
  • Harry Gilmor
  • John Milroy
March 15, 1877–April 12, 1878
  • Harry Gilmor
  • James R. Hebert
April 12, 1878–March 15, 1881
  • James R. Herbert
  • John Milroy
March 15, 1881–August 5, 1884
  • James R. Herbert
  • John Milroy
August 5, 1884–February 25, 1886
  • John Milroy
  • J. D. Furguson
February 25, 1886–June 25, 1886
  • John Q. A. Robson
  • John Milroy
June 25, 1886–March 15, 1887
  • John Q. A. Robson
  • Afred J. Carr
March 15, 1887–January 23, 1888 Edson M. Schryver
  • Alfred J. Carr
June 25, January 23, 1888–December 1, 1894
  • John Gil Jr.
  • John Q. A. Robson
December 1, 1894–March 27, 1896
  • John Gil Jr.
  • John C. Legg
March 27, 1896–March 15, 1897
  • Jonh Gill Jr.
  • Daniel C. Heddinger
March 15, 1897–May 7, 1900 Daniel C. Heddinger
  • William W. Johnson
  • Edison M. Schryver
May 7, 1900–March 23, 1904 George M. Upshur
  • Edward H. Fowler
  • John T. Morris
March 23, 1904–May 2, 1904
  • John T. Morris
  • Thomas J. Shryock
May 2, 1904–May 4, 1908 George R. Willis
  • James H. Preston
  • Thomas J. Shryock
May 4, 1908–May 2, 1910 Sherlock Swann
  • Peter E. Tome
  • John B. A. Wheltle
May 2, 1910–April 4, 1912 John B. A. Wheltle
  • Peter E. Tome
  • C. Baker Clotworthy
April 4, 1912–May 6, 1912
May 6, 1912–December 31, 1913
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Alfred S. Niles
December 31, 1913–December 28, 1914 James McEvoy
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Alfred S. Niles
December 28, 1914–March 22, 1916 Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Clarendon I. T. Gould
  • Alfred S. Niles
March 22, 1916–May 1, 1916
May 1, 1916–1920
  • Daniel C. Ammidon
  • Edward F. Burke

List of members by name

The following is a list of all of those who served as members of the former board of commissioners. Periods as board president are also noted in itallics:[1]

Mayors that served as ex-officio members

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Society . Baltimore Police Historical . Commissioners . baltimorepolicemuseum.com . Baltimore Police Museum . June 30, 2022 . en-gb . June 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625141619/https://baltimorepolicemuseum.com/en/our-police/commissioners.html . dead .
  2. Web site: New Police Board Men Learn Ropes . Newspapers.com . The Evening Sun (Baltimore) . July 3, 2022 . en . subscription . April 8, 1912 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173028/https://www.newspapers.com/image/365522706 . live .
  3. Web site: New Boards In Charge . Newspapers.com . The Baltimore Sun . en . subscription . May 7, 1912 . November 6, 2022 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173026/https://www.newspapers.com/image/372013747 . live .
  4. News: July 31, 1938 . Lawson Quits Police Post 'Temporarily,' Until Sec Fraud Charges Are Heard . January 12, 2024 . . 1,9 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Ames . C. Delano . September 23, 1938 . The Cops and Their New Commissioner . March 23, 2024 . . 33 . Newspapers.com.
  6. News: April 8, 1955 . Ober Funeral Arranged For Tomorrow . 33,44 . . December 25, 2023.
  7. Web site: Hermann . Peter . Commissioner emphasizes his successes . Newspapers.com . The Baltimore Sun . June 30, 2022 . en . subscription . September 25, 1999 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173026/https://www.newspapers.com/image/173262832 . live .
  8. Web site: Hermann . Peter . Shields . Gerald . Daniel quitting as police chief; Mayor says the two could not agree on how to get job done; Daniel held post 57 days; Friction with mayor, outside consultants leads to resignation . Baltimore Sun . June 30, 2022 . March 30, 2000 . April 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220426071230/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-03-31-0003310068-story.html . live .
  9. Web site: Baltimore police commissioner expected to be former Oakland chief - Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sun. August 27, 2012. Baltimoresun.com. July 9, 2015. August 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140829003826/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/blog/bs-md-ci-new-police-commissioner-20120827,0,4471221.story. live.
  10. Web site: Why can't Baltimore solve its crime epidemic? - Baltimore Post-Examiner . Baltimore Post Examiner . June 30, 2022 . March 13, 2014.
  11. Web site: Graham . David A. . Baltimore's Mayor Fires Her Police Commissioner . The Atlantic . June 30, 2022 . en . July 8, 2015 . May 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220524100802/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/the-defenestration-of-anthony-batts/398042/ . live .
  12. Web site: Handore . Pratik . Is Kevin Davis Based on a Real Person? Where is He Now? . The Cinemaholic . June 30, 2022 . May 3, 2022 . June 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612150331/https://thecinemaholic.com/is-kevin-davis-based-on-a-real-person-where-is-he-now/ . live .
  13. Web site: Cassie . Ron . Kevin Davis Confirmed as New City Police Chief . Baltimore Magazine . June 30, 2022 . October 20, 2015 . June 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627205909/https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/davis-confirmed-as-new-city-police-chief/ . live .
  14. Web site: Rector . Kevin . Baltimore Police commissioner Kevin Davis fired by Mayor Pugh, citing rising crime . Baltimore Sun . June 30, 2022 . January 19, 2018 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173029/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-davis-replaced-20180119-story.html . live .
  15. Web site: Darryl De Sousa Confirmed As New Baltimore Police Commissioner . WOLB Talk 1010 . June 30, 2022 . February 27, 2018 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173028/https://wolbbaltimore.com/2062198/darryl-de-sousa-confirmed-as-new-baltimore-police-commissioner/ . live .
  16. Web site: Former Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to File Tax Returns . www.justice.gov . June 30, 2022 . en . March 29, 2019 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173041/https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-baltimore-police-commissioner-darryl-de-sousa-sentenced-federal-prison-failing . live .
  17. Web site: Herring . Vanessa . Acting BPD Commissioner Gary Tuggle says it's 'business as usual' . WBAL . June 30, 2022 . en . May 15, 2018 . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106173036/https://www.wbaltv.com/article/acting-bpd-commissioner-gary-tuggle-says-its-business-as-usual/20689007 . live .
  18. Web site: Anderson . Jessica . Michael Harrison sworn in as Baltimore's 41st police commissioner . Baltimore Sun . June 30, 2022 . March 12, 2019 . May 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220516212429/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-ci-harrison-swearing-in-20190312-story.html . live .
  19. News: Price . Lilly . Who is Richard Worley, the new acting Baltimore Police commissioner? . July 2, 2023 . The Baltimore Sun . June 8, 2023 . September 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230922034118/http://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-baltimore-police-commissioner-richard-worley-20230608-fnut6jflfbhcbo2eu6wphfrpeq-story.html . live .
  20. News: Sullivan . Emily . City Council confirms Richard Worley as Baltimore Police Commissioner . October 2, 2023 . . October 2, 2023 . October 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231006144602/https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-police-worley-cofirmed-B2PGNHMO4FDJJIF47K6TJHNTYA/ . live .
  21. Web site: George A. Solter . Maryland Manual On-Line . . November 11, 2005 . December 4, 2022 . December 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204141554/https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/014300/014355/html/14355bio.html . live .