City of Baltimore Consent Decree

What We Do 

On April 7, 2017, the City of Baltimore and the Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed to a Consent Decree. This is a legally binding pact that addresses concerns about the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD). The DOJ found issues related to constitutional rights and federal law violations within the BPD’s practices.

This Consent Decree is a collaborative effort between Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City of Baltimore to reform the BPD, rebuild community trust, and ensure the protection of residents’ civil and constitutional rights. The decree focuses on: 

• Fostering community trust.
• Implementing community-oriented policing.
• Preventing unlawful stops and arrests.
• Ending discriminating practices and excessive force.
• Improving public and officer safety.
• Enhancing accountability.
• Updating technology.

As part of the process, an independent monitor will assess the agreement's implementation and report to the court regularly. The decree promotes community oversight, community-oriented policing, respectful interactions with the public, impartial law enforcement, de-escalation tactics, safe detainee transportation, and more.

Consent Decree Task Force Members