Police Command Changes Upset Baltimore Council Members

Some City Council members are unhappy with Police Commissioner Anthony Batts’ communication with them regarding command changes, including reassigning Northern District Commander Maj. Sabrina Tapp-Harper.

Following a committee hearing at City Hall Wednesday, Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton, who represents Roland Park, Evergreen and Cross Keys and Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, who represents Mt. Washington, Poplar Hill and The Orchards, expressed their disappointment that the council was not approached about the changes.

“This is a matter of communication, or a lack of communication, it’s very disappointing to us,” Middleton said.

She also expressed displeasure with the decision to move Tapp-Harper out of the Northern District when she was beginning to develop the relationship with residents needed to serve North Baltimore.  Tapp-Harper was assigned to head the Special Investigations Section, which handles domestic abuse and sexual assault cases.   

"I’m just confused. Her move, to me, was not a promotion," Middleton said.  

Spector compared the decision to change commanders to a major family decision that everyone needs to be made aware of and consulted about.

"When we’re the last to know it’s kind of like when the wife is the last to know—it’s too late," Spector said.

But not all council members were as upset about the changes in command in North Baltimore.

Councilman Bill Henry said that he was happy for Tapp-Harper because anytime someone is moved downtown to headquarters it’s a promotion.

"We’re sorry to see her go because, for the communities, it’s always a little bit of a struggle to make a new connection to the new commander, and people had gotten to know [Tapp-Harper] and like her, but this is part of what happens in an organization like the police department,” Henry said.