Monitor: Baltimore police committed to reform; work remains

BALTIMORE – The monitoring team overseeing Baltimore police reform says the police department’s work so far has “demonstrated a genuine commitment to reform,” but it’s concerned about reaching future benchmarks.

The team’s first semiannual report was submitted to the court Wednesday. It emphasizes the extensive work needed in the coming years. The team is overseeing an agreement the city and Justice Department reached after a report outlined widespread police misconduct and abuse.

The Baltimore Sun reports that much of the team’s first year involved reviewing and revising policies. The report focuses on challenges, including outdated technology and “organizational deficiencies” of the unit that investigates misconduct. It also raises constitutional concerns about the treatment of the community where a detective was fatally shot last year, including improper stops and searches of residents.