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—– By: Ann Costantino —–
County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. has begun a national search for a new police chief to replace Chief Terrence B. Sheridan by June 2019, and he is asking Baltimore County residents – not a search firm – for input on applicants.
The administration is encouraging community members to provide input into the selection process via:
- Two Public Safety Community Forums which will be held in early 2019. The exact dates are to be determined. The forums will be held in Northwest and Northeast Baltimore County.
- Baltimore County residents are also being encouraged to email their comments to: policechiefsearch@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Additionally, police officers and advocates are being asked to participate in the selection process. Input is being sought from:
- The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4, the Blue Guardians, the Baltimore County Association of Women Police, and rank and file police officers;
- and via police officer town hall meetings which will be held to solicit input from Baltimore County Police Department commanders and officers.
Members of Olszewski’s administration will then screen the applicants and recommend up to 10 finalists to an 8-member panel comprised of two members of the county executive’s senior staff, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney or designee, three Baltimore County resident representatives, a member from a victim services agency and one representative of the Baltimore County Council. Panel members will be announced in January.
The County Executive will then select and interview finalists based on the panel’s feedback in March. A full timeline of the selection process can be found here, but is subject to change.
Chief Sheridan told the Olszewski administration that he will resign from his position in June. Through a press release, County Executive Olszewski said, “Chief Sheridan has set the bar high for his successor, and we are confident that our thorough search process will identify a chief who possesses the qualities our communities want to see in the next leader of Baltimore County’s law enforcement efforts.”
The nominee to succeed Sheridan will undergo a comprehensive background investigation and vetting process. Applicants’ names will be kept confidential throughout the search and interview process.
Although a national search, the Olszewski administration is encouraging those within the Baltimore County Police Department to apply. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2019.
