BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT

P#BLIC A$$AIRS SEC%ION

Anthony W. Batts POLICE COMMISSIONER Lt. J. Eric Kowalczyk Actin !ir"ctor

Support for Det. Crystal coming forward to report malicious behavior

Balti&or"' M(.' $")r*ary +, +-./ 0 The Baltimore Police Department today announced full support for the actions of Det. Crystal in coming forward to report malicious behavior and criminal activity in his unit. After personally meeting with Det. Crystal, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts made clear that every resource in the organization would be used to support and protect any officer who reports corruption or wrongdoing. The reduction of violent crime is the goal of every officer in the department, but the ends can not ustify the means, if those means are not constitutionally grounded. The agency must and will hold itself to a higher standard. !"e will not tolerate corruption, wrongdoing, or erosion of the public trust,# said Commissioner Batts. !Any officer, or group of officers found to be engaged in conduct that is illegal will be charged, and with the cooperation of the $tate%s Attorney%s &ffice, prosecuted to the fullest e'tent possible. "e will not stop in our efforts to identify and fire officers whose behavior is repugnant to the citizens we serve, and to protect those who report them. "e strongly encourage and support officers across the organization to feel safe and ustified in reporting criminal behavior.# The Commissioner emphasized that the department has an obligation to the citizens of Baltimore to police in a constitutional manner with the highest ethical standards( as the overwhelming ma ority of officers continue to do. The public trust must be preserved at all costs, and any officer willing to step forward should be applauded for their bravery and courage. There is a full and thorough investigation underway as a result of the allegations brought forward by a courageous officer. $ince the day he was sworn in Commissioner Batts, in creating the Professional $tandards and Accountability Bureau, has wor)ed tirelessly to ensure the highest standards of constitutional policing. "or)ing in con unction with the $tate*s Attorney*s &ffice the department*s Professional $tandards and Accountability Bureau has investigated, arrested, and prosecuted officers engaged in misconduct and continues to do so.

$or &or" in1or&ation' contact Balti&or" Media Relations Section at (410)-396-2012.

-END-

+,+ "est +-th $treet Baltimore, .aryland, +/+//