Baltimore, Md., January 6, 2014 It is with great sadness that the Baltimore Police e!artment announces the !

!assing o" "ormer Police #ommissioner Bisho! $. %o&inson at the age o" '6. #ommissioner %o&inson was the "irst ("rican (merican Police #ommissioner in the history o" the Baltimore Police e!artment ser)ing in that role "rom 1*'4 1*'+. ,hen #ommissioner %o&inson -oined the !olice de!artment in 1*.2 the role and sco!e o" ("rican (merican o""icers was se)erely restricted. ("rican (merican o""icers were not allowed to !atrol white neigh&orhoods or use !atrol cars. uring his career the /nited 0tates saw the ad)ancement o" the #i)il %ights mo)ement, o!ening the door "or #ommissioner %o&inson to ad)ance in ran1. 2is ascendency to command the Baltimore Police e!artment is a testament to his !erse)erance, character, and dedication to duty. 3ighting through a culture that was in the midst o" changing, #ommissioner %o&inson gained the res!ect and admiration o" his !eers and su&ordinates. #ommissioner %o&inson ser)ed in a )ariety o" assignments throughout his distinguished career, and in 200+, the (nne4 2ead5uarters Building located at 3ayette 0treet and President 0treet was named a"ter him. 6,e ha)e lost a true !ioneer in the history o" the Baltimore Police e!artment,7 said Police #ommissioner (nthony Batts. 62is legacy is one o" ser)ice and continues to &e a source o" ins!iration "or o""icers today. I sit here in this !osition as a result o" his strong leadershi! as a trail&la8er. I9m hum&led &y this giant o" a man, a !olice leader.7 #ommissioner %o&inson was one o" the "ounding mem&ers o" the :ational ;rgani8ation o" Blac1 $aw <n"orcement <4ecuti)es. :;B$< is recogni8ed as one o" the nations largest and most e""ecti)e !u&lic ser)ice organi8ations dedicated to ser)ing the law en"orcement needs o" ("rican (merican communities. 2is in)ol)ement as a "ounding mem&er hel!ed cement the !osition o" the Baltimore Police e!artment as a leader in the "ield.