[Baltimore Sun] Maryland Transportation Authority Police were heroic, but where was leadership? | READER COMMENTARY
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In times of tragedy, true leaders are often the first to tell the story of sadness, devastation, and loss. At the same time, true leaders are the ones who also have the distinct responsibility of sharing the stories of the heroic efforts of the women and men who take charge and follow orders without fail and often with limited direction.
Unfortunately, without having prior insider information most citizens of this state will not understand how during the aftermath of the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse we all witnessed a true failure in leadership. Most citizens will not know how the Maryland Transportation Authority Police provide the primary law enforcement and first responder services to this critical area of infrastructure. Most citizens won’t know of the heroic efforts of the first three officers who were dispatched to the area, which I am certain at the time appeared to be “just another routine task”. Most citizens won’t know of the behind-the-scenes efforts that support staff took to warn as many persons as possible of the potential danger that lay ahead.
At this point, you might ask what I am talking about. After all, we saw the press conferences with the leaders of the Md. State Police, Baltimore City as well as the Governor and federal partners. Sadly, what you didn’t see was the Command Staff of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police stepping to the forefront as they should, and explaining in every minute detail possible exactly what happened. What you didn’t see was a group of leaders praising their staff for a job well done when faced with an unspeakable tragedy. What you didn’t see was a team of leaders taking the lead and providing guidance to every resource that showed up in their time of need. At the end of the day what you did see was a group of individuals that would like for you to believe they are leaders but instead were more comfortable sitting in the backdrop and following others as they came in and took the lead when they wouldn’t.
The question that I can’t answer is why such a travesty in leadership was allowed to play out and for that matter continue as each day passes after this tragic event. What I can say as a now-retired member of a previous executive-level leadership team of this fine agency, I won’t be a part of the silent force. To the women and men of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, I can simply say thank you for an amazing service on this sad day in our state and nation’s history. Thank you for your continued efforts as you continue to provide nothing but superior service regardless of whether or not it is recognized by your bosses. Most importantly to Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert, and Officer Garry Kirts, thank you for taking the lead and providing the example that maybe one day your bosses might follow.
In closing, my words are not intended to change the focus of the fact that six lives were lost during this disaster. Regardless of who tells the story this fact shall always remain the focal point. My sincere hope is in the future anyone who eventually assumes the lead of this fine agency will provide not only a service to these six gentlemen but also a service of leadership to the members of this fine agency. At the end of the day, they deserve it.
—Retired Capt. Joseph L. Alton, Jr., Havre de Grace
The writer served with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department for 26 years and retired as the operations commander of the Logistics Division.
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