Appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, the Fire Chief oversees the Department (City Charter, Article VII, sec. 48).
The Department is comprised of two Divisions: Administration, and Field Operations, and is aided by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
The Board is composed of five members appointed by the Mayor to four-year terms. The Mayor also designates the chair ( of Public Local Laws, Article 9, secs. 1-8; City Charter, Article VII, secs. 49-53; City Code, secs. 8-101 through 8-4701.2).
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Division oversees Emergency Medical Services, and the Office of Fire Marshall.
OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL
Within the City Fire Department, the Fire Incendiary Bureau began in February 1938 to investigate possible arsons. The Bureau was restructured as the Fire Investigation Bureau in April 1958. At that time, the Office of Fire Marshal was created.
The Fire Marshal is responsible for the investigation and enforcement of laws regarding arson; fire prevention; the installation and maintenance of fire detection and extinguisher equipment; the availability and adequacy of fire exits at public and commercial establishments; and the storage, sale, or use of explosives and combustibles. To ensure that all new construction meets Fire Code standards, the Office works with City building inspectors, and oversees efforts to bring older commercial buildings up to Code. For State properties and other institution requiring State licensure, the Office performs similar duties as well (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 6-401 through 6-403).
During the late 1800s, the Police Department was placed under the Board of Police Commissioners, which was charged with expanding the Department, as well as updating and increasing its capabilities. In 1885, the Department was restructured, creating new divisions and incorporating new technologies. Call boxes were installed throughout the City, the Harbor Patrol began, and the City's first patrol wagon was purchased. These changes allowed units to stay in better contact, reduce response times, and better police City waterways.
In 1961, the City Park Police joined the Police Department, further increasing the Department's scope and size (Chapter 290, Acts of 1961).
In July 1978, supervision of the Department transferred from the Board of Police Commissioners to a single Police Commissioner, who is appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent.
The Civilian Review Board reviews Police Department policies, and hears allegations of officer misconduct, such as harassment, excessive force, injury, or abusive language. Thereafter, allegations are investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau. The Board also may conduct its own investigation simultaneously with the Division. Upon review of the Division's report, the Board may dismiss the complaint for lack of evidence, exonerate the accused, recommend disciplinary action, or request further investigation. Within 30 days of receiving the Division report, the Board is required to submit a full report of its own case findings and recommendations to the appropriate unit head. The Board also submits a biannual report of its actions to the Mayor, the City Council, and the Police Commissioner (Code of Public Local Laws, sec. 16-42).
Twelve members comprise the Board and serve three-year terms. With City Council consent, the Mayor appoints one citizen from each of the nine patrol districts to serve on the Board. The Fraternal Order of Police and the Vanguard Justice Society each appoint one member, and the Baltimore City Police Commissioner serves ex officio (Chapters 196, 197, Acts of 1999; Chapter 290, Acts of 2000; Chapter 499, Acts of 2006).
CHIEF OF STAFF
Under the Chief of Staff are the Public Affairs Section, and the Management Services Division.
CRIME REDUCTION BUREAU
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & ACCOUNTABILITY BUREAU
Today, the Bureau ensures professional and equal treatment of members of the Police Department, as well as the professional and ethical behavior of its members. At the request of the Civilian Review Board, the Bureau conducts internal investigations of the Police Departmen.
The Bureau is comprised of Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance, and two divisions: Internal Affairs, and Special Projects.
Formed in 2008, the Administration Division consolidated all maintenance, procurement and supply functions for the Fire Department. Moreover, the Division ensures communications between City and volunteer fire and rescue companies, oversees the Fire Academy, and conducts community outreach and training programs.
To respond to fire emergencies, the Field Operations Division maintains and coordinates fire and emergency medical services throughout the City. The Division includes thirty-seven fire stations, as well as hazmat units, fireboats, and a dive rescue unit.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Duties of Emergency Medical Services started in 1927, when the Fire Department added five ambulances to its fleet of vehicles. Responsible for coordinating independent medical response providers in the City, Emergency Medical Services also maintains its own staff of emergency medical technicians, and a fleet of medical response vehicles.
The Office of Fire Marshal originated as Fire Inspector in March 1858. Established by the City Council to assist volunteer fire companies operating in the City, the Fire Inspector was empowered to conduct and enforce all State and local fire ordinances for the City (Chapter 253, Acts of 1858). The office of Fire Inspector was abolished in 1894, when many of its duties were absorbed by the State Fire Marshal (Chapters 248 & 339, Acts of 1894).
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Origins of the Police Department trace to the colonial period when Baltimore County constables patrolled the area that later became Baltimore City. The first constables assigned specifically to Baltimore City were authorized by the General Assembly in 1784 (Chapter 69, Acts of 1784). Following the City's separation from Baltimore County in 1851, the State Legislature authorized creation of a City police force in March 1853 (Chapter 46, Acts of 1853).
CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD
Established in October 1999, the Civilian Review Board assumed duties of the Complaint Evaluation Board. Originally limited to the Police Department, Board jurisdiction expanded in 2000 to cover the City School Police, Housing Authority Police, and the Sheriff's Department.
Overseeing the daily administrative duties of the Police Department, the Chief of Staff is responsible for meeting the fiscal and procurement needs of the Department. For the Department, the Chief of Staff directs communications, human resources, and the development and maintenance of communication networks; and serves as liaison with other governmental agencies.
The Crime Reduction Bureau is the primary enforcement branch of the Police Department, and is comprised of all patrol units, investigation and intelligence officers, the crime lab, and special tactical units. Through the Bureau, the Police Department maintains a presence in communities, assists in crime prevention, responds to emergency calls for police assistance, and investigates crimes.
Duties of the Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau began in 1900 when the Board of Police Examiners was established. The Board formed to ensure the qualifications of an expanding police force (Chapter 16, Acts of 1900). To further ensure professional standards, the Baltimore City Police Academy opened in 1913, providing specialized training to recruits.
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