Statewide Coalition Calls on All Jurisdictions to Adopt Police Union Agreements Aligned with Maryland Police Accountability Act

November 17, 2021

Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability

STATEWIDE, MD – Maryland communities have demanded real change to realize police accountability for many years, and with continued community pressure and the National uprising after the murder of George Floyd, the General Assembly finally achieved a good start through victories this past session, including the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. Yet these recent victories can be jeopardized and undermined through local police union collective bargaining (CBA) agreements being negotiated before the new law’s July 1, 2022 effective date.

Statement from the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability on Passage of Statewide Police Reform Legislation

April 12, 2021

Press Statement, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Members of the Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability (MJCPA), advocates and individuals impacted by police brutality, celebrate the successful organizing that has advanced police transparency and accountability, but say Maryland’s historic police reform package still does not meet the moment.

Opinion: What racial justice police reform should look like in Maryland (Washington Post)

March 23, 2021

OpEd, Dayvon Love, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle

There are a variety of ways to approach the issue of police accountability. Some approach the issue as a breakdown in relationship between the community and the police. Others approach police accountability as an issue of protecting people’s civil liberties. There are also those who see police accountability as an issue of developing a more professional industry that can treat people better. While these perspectives are reasonable approaches to the issue of police accountability, they are different from the approach Maryland’s statewide coalition has decided to take.

Keep Pushing to Reimagine Policing - Legislative Update Townhall

March 17, 2021

Video, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability

MCJPA has been clear from the beginning: We must shift the power over law enforcement into the hands of the community. Anything that doesn't achieve that is insufficient.

Op Ed: The Families Who Are Left Behind After Police Killings (Afro)

March 16, 2021

OpEd, Nikki Owens, Cousin of William Green

There is not a day since January 28, 2020 that I haven’t thought about how my cousin was murdered. Not a day has passed that I haven’t thought about the loss of someone I loved and who loved me. Not a day has passed that I haven’t wanted to cry knowing he died mercilessly and at the hands of someone whose employment his tax dollars paid for.

Police Reform Tops Md. House of Delegates’ Agenda This Week (Washington Informer)

March 7, 2021

In 2010, Lupe’ Hawkins was driving his mother’s car in Largo, Maryland, when he was pulled over by Prince George’s County police.

A few minutes later, police assaulted him for allegedly driving with suspended tags. It turned out to be an incorrect tag number logged into the motor vehicle system. He suffered fractured ribs and other injuries.

Advocates Reiterate Call for Lawmakers to Pursue Meaningful Reform as Policing Bills Move to the House (Maryland Matters)

March 5, 2021

A sea of gloved fists — white with knuckles painted blood red — floated above bowed heads outside the State House Thursday evening as advocates read the names of Marylanders who had died during interactions with the police.

Demonstrators rally for police reform, transparency in Annapolis (WBAL)

March 4, 2021

Some advocates for police reform said a slew of bills to address their concerns don't go far enough which is why dozens of demonstrators took over the streets of Annapolis to rally outside of the state house.

STATEMENT: Coalition of More Than 90 Groups Unite to Say Senate Policing Bills Do Not Do Enough to Save Black Lives

February 26, 2021
Press Release, Maryland Coalition for Justice & Police Accountability

The Senate is poised to push through police reform measures that are small positive steps forward, but that do not match the call for transformative change that emerged from the communities demands spurred by the police killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the years of advocacy in Maryland on this issue.

Repeal, Replace or Reinstate: How Senate Panelists Voted on The Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (Maryland Matters)

February 20, 2021

After days of passionate debate, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee passed legislation intended to repeal and replace the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights out of the committee. But the bill was heavily amended, leading its sponsor, Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City), to suggest that it be renamed "The Reinstatement of the LEOBR."

Maryland Matters broke down the final amendments to the bill by committee vote.

Opinion: Five Demands for Police Accountability in Maryland (And How You Can Help) (Maryland Matters)

February 7, 2021
OpEd, Chris Apple, Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America

In the last few years, there have been several promising police reform bills in Maryland. They defined the appropriate use of deadly force and allowed the public release of misconduct investigation records, and they had the support of victims and their family members. For various reasons, none of these bills ultimately passed, but advocates and lawmakers now have new energy behind police accountability in the current legislative session. In addition, a coordinated effort by everyday citizens might also help these reforms become law.

Lawmakers Push to Replace School Police with Counselors (Maryland Matters)

February 3, 2021
OpEd, Del. Gabriel Acevero & Del. Jheanelle Wilkins

When a child is arrested by a police officer stationed in a Baltimore City public school, they are handcuffed, placed in cages, photographed and fingerprinted — even kids as young as seven-years-old, according to Jenny Egan, a Baltimore City juvenile public defender.

Opinion: Reimagining school safety in Maryland (Washington Post)

January 29, 2021
OpEd, Del. Gabriel Acevero & Del. Jheanelle Wilkins

Jarome Liason was just 11 when a school police officer handcuffed him for 23 minutes in his Baltimore County middle school, causing him to fracture his wrist and develop a persistent fear of law enforcement. The reason? He is autistic and began hitting his head against the wall in frustration after an argument with another student. The district called the officer on site, who responded with the tools of the trade: handcuffs. For Jarome and many other children in our state, police presence is making our schools far less safe.

ACLU Report: “Chasing Justice” Exposes Racist Facts About Police Violence, Lack of Accountability in Maryland

January 19, 2021
Press Release, ACLU of Maryland

Between 2015 and 2019, there were 13,392 complaints of misconduct filed against 1,826 Baltimore City police officers and 22,884 use of force incidents in Baltimore, according to a new report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland.