Former Commish Bealefeld

[StraightShooter]

Unfortunately, this town chews up police commissioners like 80's hair bands went through drummers.

So agree with you on this point, and I honestly, both personally and professionally, do not believe in the current political climate I would ever want the job of Police Commissioner in Baltimore City. Not until a Police Commissioner can be honest about the crime, the numbers, and the bodies, and can directly say the crime volume / responsibility rests upon the criminals committing the offenses and the citizens who refuse to share what they know / saw, not the police who are trying their damndest to stop it. (Police who are also criminals ARE included in the responsibility set here...)

[happygolucky1]

You said do the research? Cops are great at rumors.. BTW at his retirement party there were well over a dozen people who spoke and many more who wanted to speak, but because of time it had to be pared down. It was a nice cross section of cops, community members, and other agencies, etc. I knew the Rivieri thing is in your craw.. Right or wrong, if you look up police misconduct,,, Rivieri is an example..

[StraightShooter]

I was at the retirement celebration. I saw all the speakers, 99.9% from outside organizations, and all stressed his interagency cooperation -- which I acknowledge in my earlier post. I also know that command members were told to attend and most did not. I also know that very few BPD employees were there at all; many said they "had to be there." In addition, there was a DISTINCT lack of commanders from ALL ranks. Only two BPD cops spoke, his driver, and now Deputy Skinner, who introduced Bealefeld. Period. I have attended dozens of other retirements, and at every single one there was a steady stream of stories / experiences told by BPD members about BPD experiences. There were NONE for Bealefeld. I was there over an hour early, and was one of the last to leave. I know once he started speaking about himself, he wouldn't stop until they had to tell him to end it. As for all those who did speak for him, and I know most of them, they spoke of his interagency cooperation, placing BPD resources at their disposal without hesitation, what he and the BPD did FOR THEM. That is all fine -- in fact great -- for what it is and what it accomplished, but I hold fast to my experienced professional opinion that he should have spent as much energy and resources on keeping his own house in order as well. Perhaps you should enquire as to why the press was barred from attending...

As for Rivieri, I do not dispute that fact that that was one hell of an unprofessional way to handle that situation, and as well acknowledge that that kid probably had NO CLUE he was talking to an actual police officer. But I believe his firing was wholly uncalled for, especially since Bealefeld himself stated it was because the video was on YouTube, not because of what Rivieri had actually done years earlier. As a matter of fact, Rivieri was fired for the act of a juvenile.

PS I neither foster nor spread rumors. Everything I say is based upon my personal experience, contact, knowledge or determination, unless otherwise credited/clarified.

[happygolucky1]

I was there the whole time also...I get it.FOP guy.... I am sure most of his unpopularity with some of the cops was due to Rivieri. And that's the price he will have to pay. If you were honest with yourself, you would admit everything you say and feel about Bealefeld is filtered through your hatred of him, because of the Rivieri firing. You ask why media was not allowed to attend, yet if they were there, you would say he is so arrogant he had to see himself on tv. If the media were there they would would have been impressed with all the community support he received. Did you forget you are serving the community?. Bealefeld is gone and you should focus on your new boss. You might want to let go of some of your anger, it's your heart attack not his.

[Curls]

Newsflash: All a degree proves is you have the ability to learn. Nothing beats hands on experience.

It's amazing that a lot of jobs seek College Degrees. Wish every hiring manager out there thought like you. And, more would hire those without degree but, with the experience. I just don't see it happening.

I think someone mentioned here that it is a private school not a state that may be the difference.

Someone on here once said that her company WILL NOT hire anyone with a degree from Stevenson University.

[Lawman 27]

You said do the research? Cops are great at rumors.. BTW at his retirement party there were well over a dozen people who spoke and many more who wanted to speak, but because of time it had to be pared down. It was a nice cross section of cops, community members, and other agencies, etc. I knew the Rivieri thing is in your craw.. Right or wrong, if you look up police misconduct,,, Rivieri is an example..

Happy,

Straight Shooter has over 30 years in the BPD and I did over 20 before FLEEING that department...

So, since you are such an expert in the BPD, please tell me what district you were in and how many years you have on.

[happygolucky1]

I am saying that SS assertion .........."Do a little research into the various positions for which he has applied -- and been turned down -- with other agencies since his pending "retirement." ............is complete BS!!!!

[StraightShooter]

I am saying that SS assertion .........."Do a little research into the various positions for which he has applied -- and been turned down -- with other agencies since his pending "retirement." ............is complete BS!!!!

Happy,

I said others should ask around or "research it" themselves because I was not actually there for his interviews, nor did I see his paper applications, only calls from those who said, "Guess who applied and/or interviewed here today for ____!" FYI: There are former BPD members working in virtually every law enforcement-related office or organization in this state.

Read the whole of what I said, not the little pieces. His management at the BPD left MUCH to be desired, especially his resource allocation and personnel handling. You are the one harping on Rivieri -- I merely used him as an example of bad police behavior that did not rate losing one's job, house, car, etc. I also did not bring up the FOP, so I am not sure why you called me, "FOP guy." My opinion of Bealefeld revolves around HIS actions, not to mention his movement from a Lt. to the Police Commissioner in five years.

Tell me, since you know so much about the JOB he did, not just the clips of him you saw on TV or the times he was performing at a Community Meeting: How many COMSTATs have you attended? How many PoliceStats? CityStats? How many internal BPD Stats? How many times were you there to hear how he spoke to the troops? How he disparaged EVERYONE from the lowest civilian employees to the patrol officers to the top commanders? How else could you know that he only showed respect or congeniality to those that were not BPD? When did you see an analysis of officer allocation and note that there seems to be a dearth of officers actually patrolling the streets, preventing crime -- in essence keeping YOU from becoming a victim? When did you analyze the BPDs expenditures, and see that the department could save millions by properly staffing patrol instead of paying overtime for virtually every shift in every district just to have the barest minimum of patrol officers out there on any given shift?

Let's have a real discussion, instead of name calling and emotional reactions based upon limited knowledge. And you know what? It no longer matters because Bealefeld is not the Commissioner of the BPD today. We have a new Top Cop, and it is now his turn in the drivers' seat....

[happygolucky1]

As far as I’m concerned , you are having a discussion with yourself.

You stated “Do a little research into the various positions for which he has applied. And has been turned down. With other agencies since his pending retirement.” I know for a fact that is not true…

I have learned over the years that police are notorious for taking bits of information and twisting it into something else. Those calls you said your received were rumors and not fact.

I get it, you think Bealefeld is the Devil incarnate. Whatever, I don’t care…..I know your previous comment is not true, why would I believe any other comments?/

I sincerely hope that you are not spending your retirement complaining on talk boards about past and present commissioners. If so , you might want to increase your daily aspirin intake to ward off your pending heart attck

[Lawman 27]

As far as I’m concerned , you are having a discussion with yourself.

You stated “Do a little research into the various positions for which he has applied. And has been turned down. With other agencies since his pending retirement.” I know for a fact that is not true…

I have learned over the years that police are notorious for taking bits of information and twisting it into something else. Those calls you said your received were rumors and not fact.

I get it, you think Bealefeld is the Devil incarnate. Whatever, I don’t care…..I know your previous comment is not true, why would I believe any other comments?/

I sincerely hope that you are not spending your retirement complaining on talk boards about past and present commissioners. If so , you might want to increase your daily aspirin intake to ward off your pending heart attck

Happy,

Again I ask you: How much Police experience to you have to be telling us what you know? (HINT: Watching "Starsky and Hutch" reruns does not count as experience).

Police ARE indeed used to taking bits and pieces of information and developing that into solid cases. Despite your emotions about that, it is good Police work. (It does not involve 'making things up,' it involves solid work).

I do not think any such thing about the former Commissioner. I DO think that he was a man who surrendered his integrity and was willing to trash any Officer if it meant a warm hug from the Mayor. Such people are great in academia as they have no idea what reality is, just as most academia.

[happygolucky1]

Funny.... I guess CHIPs doesn't count either?? Darn

Yes, bits and pieces can make a case. But, in a different context, bits and pieces can also be rumors.

[Lawman 27]

Funny.... I guess CHIPs doesn't count either?? Darn

You say that in jest, but there are people out there who assume that is true.

Yes, bits and pieces can make a case. But, in a different context, bits and pieces can also be rumors.

Bits and pieces can make a case, and yes they can also be rumors.

Here is the rub: A trained Officer will know the difference, but thanks to mismanagement beyond belief, the trained Officers have fled the City. There are still some quality, dedicated Officers trying to do the right thing, but they are getting rare.