Baltimore judge selects monitor to oversee police reforms

BALTIMORE – A Baltimore judge has signed off on a monitor to oversee an agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the Baltimore Police Department to overhaul the troubled agency.

Judge James Bredar on Monday approved a joint request from the city and the Justice Department to appoint Venable attorney Kenneth Thompson as the independent monitor to oversee police reform in Baltimore.

Bredar in his order wrote that Thompson, a native of Baltimore, is “a seasoned litigator” with “an impeccable record in the community.”

Bredar wrote that Thompson is “committed” to enforcing the decree. The judge says the monitor will serve as the court’s “eyes and ears.”

The city and Justice Department entered into the reform agreement in January after a scathing report outlined widespread misconduct and abuse within the police department.