The Baltimore Police Department’s specialized gun units are facing scrutiny after two recent police shootings. Residents in a predominantly Black neighborhood complain about officers harassing residents and escalating peaceful encounters. The department created these units after a corruption scandal, but critics argue that their tactics persist and disproportionately affect low-income communities of color. Associated Press reported
In 2017, the Baltimore Police Department disbanded its plainclothes gun squad due to a corruption scandal. The department promised to increase oversight while focusing on seizing illegal weapons and reducing violence. However, recent incidents involving the department’s specialized units have raised concerns about their current operations.
The most recent shooting, which occurred on November 7, has not yet had its body camera footage released. However, residents of a southwest Baltimore neighborhood expressed outrage over what they perceive as an unnecessary loss of life. They have long complained that certain officers are known for harassing residents and escalating peaceful encounters.
Rashawn McNeil, a resident of the area, stated that officers often jump out on them for no reason. He questioned why so many shots were fired in the recent shooting incident. According to officials, officers from the District Action Team, which focuses on seizing illegal guns, approached a man who appeared to be armed. The man, later identified as Hunter Jessup, ran away and allegedly pointed a gun at the police during the chase. Four officers then opened fire, resulting in Jessup’s death.
The day after the shooting, McNeil and his brother were hanging out with a friend when they discussed how the DAT officers treat them with disdain and regularly initiate negative interactions. These officers are easily recognizable by their unique attire, which consists of vests identifying them as police. They patrol the city’s most violent neighborhoods.
Police Commissioner Richard Worley defended the officers’ actions, stating that they repeatedly yelled at Jessup to drop his weapon. He praised the officers for apprehending an armed individual, emphasizing their role in removing illegal firearms from the streets. Baltimore’s overall gun violence has been decreasing in recent months, and the creation of the DAT squads was part of the department’s reform efforts following the Gun Trace Task Force corruption scandal.
The use of specialized police units has been a contentious issue in other cities as well. Memphis disbanded its SCORPION unit after video footage showed members beating a person to death. These units typically focus on illegal guns and repeat violent offenders. According to Daniel Webster, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, the success of specialized gun units depends on a focused approach that targets individuals creating violence.
A study conducted by Webster’s team found that two-thirds of respondents believed that Baltimore police were targeting the wrong people. He argues that blanket enforcement of gun laws does not necessarily make communities safer and can cause harm and distrust. Critics argue that DAT teams disproportionately affect low-income communities of color, as their proactive patrols target neighborhoods with high levels of violence.
Baltimore police spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge stated that DAT officers not only conduct proactive patrols but also focus on making strategic arrests of key individuals involved in violent crime. The department takes misconduct complaints seriously and imposes discipline when appropriate. Recent reforms have included an overhaul of the internal discipline process.
Less than six months before the recent shooting, another police shooting occurred under similar circumstances. In that incident, DAT officers tried to stop a teenager they suspected of being armed. The teenager ran away, holding a gun, and was shot from behind by an officer.
Rashawn McNeil and his older brother, Rashad McNeil, expressed frustration with having to assert their constitutional rights whenever certain officers approach them. They believe that these officers view everyone as suspects unless they are old or a certain color, which they find dehumanizing.
In conclusion, the Baltimore Police Department’s specialized units have faced scrutiny following recent police shootings. Community members have raised concerns about harassment and escalating encounters. While the department emphasizes its focus on seizing illegal guns and reducing violence, critics argue that these units disproportionately target low-income communities of color. The success of specialized gun units depends on a focused approach that targets individuals responsible for violence. Reforms have been implemented within the department to address misconduct complaints and improve internal discipline processes. However, some residents still feel the need to assert their constitutional rights when interacting with certain officers..