Promotions Fill Void in Police Command Staff
Tuesday's announcement comes a month after one-third of the police command staff left as part of an early retirement incentive.
Photos
One month after nearly one-third of the commanders of the Baltimore County Police Department took early retirement, the chief of police has announced the promotion or reassignment of six remaining executive officers.
The assignments and promotions appear to fill the void in command staff left by the recent departures.
Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson announced the restructuring moves during an internal meeting Tuesday morning.
Armacost said, three captains were promoted to major, including:
- Capt. Karen Johnson, a 22-year veteran currently serving as commander of the Technology Management Section. She has served as the commander of the Training Academy, Precinct 6 Towson, and the Personnel Section.
- Capt. Daniel Kaliszak, a 21-year veteran currently serving as commander of the Intelligence Unit. He was previously assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division as a lieutenant.
- Capt. Alexander Jones, a 16-year veteran currently serving as commander of Precinct 6 Towson. He was previously assigned to Precinct 1 Wilkens as a lieutenant.
In addition to the promotions, three others were reassigned, including two who are now acting colonels:
- Maj. Joseph Burris, a 27-year veteran, will be appointed acting colonel of the Administrative and Technical Services Bureau. He has previously served as the commander of the Management Services Division, and executive officer of the Administrative and Technical Services Bureau.
- Maj. Peter Evans, a 26-year veteran, will be appointed acting colonel of the Operations Bureau. He previously served as commander of the Internal Affairs Division, the executive officer of the Operations Bureau, and Western Patrol Division commander.
- Maj. Evan Cohen, a 29-year veteran, will take over command of the Western Patrol Division. He has previously served as the executive officer for the Operations Bureau, and as the commander of the Western Patrol Division.
Elise Armacost, a police department spokeswoman, said the moves represent the bulk of the immediate restructuring that will be done.
"There won't be any sweeping changes for now," said Armacost. "The system as it is works well. What changes will be made in the future remains to be seen."
Last month, the department lost nearly one-third of the command staff. Some of the commanders retired to take advantage of an early retirement program and the deferred reitrement option program that has paid out more than $15 million in cash to 40 officers since June.
Under the terms of the early retirement program, the department agrees to eliminate the position of the retiree or another similar one.
Armacost said that even with the promotions and reassignments there will be a "net loss of 10 positions within the executive corps."
Johnson said in October, days before commanders officially filed for retirement, that he was "studying the possibility of restructuring the department."
One of those changes was rumored to be the possibility of merging the police and fire departments into a Department of Public Safety.
Both departments are currently housed together in a building in the 700 block of Joppa Road.
This story was updated to add attribution for information related to the officers who were promoted.
Buzz Beeler
2:40 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Ms. Armacost is right about her comment regarding sweeping changes for now. They done (sic) sweep one-third of those changes out the door already. Any more changes and the puzzle palace will be cube-less.
I have been told there are more moving boxes than cops up there.
What is interesting to note is the seniority issue and the word commander. These are pivotal words.
Look at the seniority of those involved in the change. It ranges from 16 to 29 years with most over the 20 year mark. Ya think there is something looming on the horizon again which will evoke columns like the one below.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-mossburg-onepercent-20111206,0,387620.column
Now this is an interesting caveat in the promotion of Major Joe Burris to colonel. Is it me or did they just lose three colonels or as Ms. Armacost so aptly described as "sweeping changes for now." I won't elaborate what the other concern is but there is a close tie there, as they say.
It's a good thing that both departments are housed in the same building. This way the shoe won't have far to -- DROP!
easternsideguy
10:20 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I read this article several times and did not see anywhere in there about anyone being PROMOTED to colonel. The article says two majors are being "appointed as ACTING colonel." Also, they did not lose 3 colonels. It is my understanding that two are retiring at the end of the year but one is not. All sworn positions except the Chief of Police are merit positions the last time I checked so unless the County removes the colonel position from the merit system there must be a competitive process. I know there is still a way for the Chief to promote who he wants into the top management positions and he should be able to pick his top bosses like any other CEO rather than have them picked for him. Many of us realize that there is a wealth of experience leaving the Police Department but there are many younger commanders that are qualified and have fresh ideas to carry the Department into the future.
Bart
11:12 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Well, easternside guy, you sound like you know what you're talking about, thank you. You'll have to forgive Buzz. He has never let the facts stand in the way of a good conspiracy theory.
nor
8:18 am on Saturday, December 10, 2011
My suggestion to all of you is this: If responding to an article, make your comment and move on.
You have to stop responding to every comment. It is childish behavior. I give Buzz credit for posting using his real identity, although I don't think its wise in many instances. Any comment can be taken out of context and used "against" you. At least with some anonymity, this isn't the case. It is why Robert can claim, if he chooses too, to state he is a SF Colonel w/combat experience in multiple wars, a Navy Seal, an Army Ranger, etc. Unless his experience is relevant to the article, who gives a crap. Even then, there is no way to verify this info unless he does as Buzz does...uses his real identity.
If "acting" while someone is absent, are you telling me they get paid the salary of the individual who is absent. For example, if I am an XO (LT) and my Commander (CPT) is out today and I fill his role, I earn Captain pay for my shift?
In the military, if a Major is holding a LTC position, the Major is paid for being a Major, not a LTC. However, it usually means the Major will soon be a LTC or the position doesn't need to be a LTC slot, but a Major slot.
If this occurs, then it speaks to another flaw in our local govt salary structure as well as the pension system which needs to be eliminated and replaced with a 401K/403B system. These payouts are ridiculous and unsustainable. Contribute 15% of an employee's annual salary while employed and that is it...NO MORE PENSIONS.
Robert Armstrong
2:58 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
You must have missed this part Dude.
"Under the terms of the early retirement program, the department agrees to eliminate the position of the retiree or another similar one."
Buzz Beeler
4:25 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I did exactly as you said and got out of Dundalk and came over her to Towson Patch in an attempt to find any living being who has ever heard of Robert Armstrong. You made the statement that you were well known outside of Dundalk. After three days no one has come forward.
So I guess I can't respond to someone that is a figment of whatever it is you claim to be.
I only did what you told me. IS ANYBODY OUT THERE, HELLO!
Bart
6:57 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Buzz, Towson is where there are more movers and shakers. So many other neighborhood "Patch" interest is in the latest bake sale. (No offence)
And guess what? We don't care about Robert Armstrong's "real" identity. On this post, we are only identified by our postings. NOBODY is who they appear to be.
If we go to your website, we get to see a picture of you in your pose briefs! Way too much exposure for most intelligent readers.
Robert Armstrong
7:33 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I guess he puts them on there to impress the ladies at the Home.
Bart
4:39 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
.............here we go again.
Robert Armstrong
4:41 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I am well known everywhere Dude. Inside the Beltway.....Outside the Beltway.
Speaking of which how many years has it been since you travelled outside the Beltway? 10?
Buzz Beeler
5:09 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Bart slap some sense into me. No more, at least tonight. Selling trees in the rain.
There is a whole lot with this story, more will come out. They have to eliminate, I think it's ten positions based on the promotions. The crazy part is that those actors must be paid the pay grade of the position they are acting in, so the question becomes what positions are they eliminating and how are they saving money?
In a sense they are violating the incentive bill by not eliminating any position within the department. What ten losses are they talking about in the executive core? What 10 positions are they eliminating?
It might be different if the reorganized first instead of this mess.
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil/legislation/11bills.html
Read 67-11 under 2011 legislation.
Bart
6:51 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
You're calling the officers (promoted) "actors"? Shame on you!
Give everybody a chance to do the right thing before you start throwing your bombs.
They are really limiting the promotions to the minimum.
............and you're selling Christmas trees in this? NOBODY will be out buying a tree in this mess.
Buzz Beeler
11:56 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Easternsideguy, I think from the rank of captain up, you become a member of the executive core and are no longer a merit system employee but rather serve at the pleasure of the chief. That would be from the rank of captain and above. It's been a while and I will have to check to make sure.
You are correct regarding the colonels and Bart listen to the Easternsideguy when he refers to the term "acting." It has nothing to do with a negative connotation and is used as I previously explained.
ESG, are also correct on the number of colonels leaving. That would be Kelly and McCleese. Kim Ward is staying.
You are also correct in the chief can appoint anyone. I'll have to check to see if that means he can go outside the promotional list. I know he can jump over those on the list, but I'll have to check on how that applies to the executive core.
Bart, I do not throw bombs. I do not make this stuff up. This information comes from directly from executive core members. As one stated this operation is being flown by the seat of the pants of the chief.
You are correct about the trees. No sales so we ate hung around for awhile and left.
In the Volume II of the Anniversary Album, the executive core is listed separately.
Bart
8:13 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Honestly, by way of community involvement, I have worked personally with Capts. Johnson and Jones, and I am so happy for them in their promotions. They are professional and work to serve their communities.
Buzz Beeler
11:06 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Bart, the word actor is a common term used in the police department. Many times I was the acting supervisor if the sergeant was on leave, sick, or transferred. I would stay in that position until another promotion was made to fill that position, or the shift commander could appoint an acting supervisor or until one was promoted into that position.
A quote from the article: "Maj. Joseph Burris, a 27-year veteran, will be appointed acting colonel of the Administrative ...". This just means that Burris is still a Major but will be receiving colonel's pay until a promotion list is established and a new colonel takes command. If Burris applied for the promotion and was on the list, he could be become the new colonel. If he is not on the promotional list he will return to his old command and his rank as a major.
I was proud of my hard work and dedication in the Mr. Maryland event. I don't see that much difference in the the two as this Patch article shows.
http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/local-mma-fighter-adam-rabuck-dominates-stellar-fights#photo-8612577
Robert Armstrong
11:18 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
LOL Bueller No difference??? One you are in the ring getting the shit kicked out of you and the other one you are just a poser.
Kinda mimics your career. How did you manage to get a 4f to avoid Viet Nam when you were a bodybuilder???
Bart
11:54 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Buzz, you really expected people to vote for you because you worked out and competed in a body building competition? That was probably about 40 years ago. wow.
Buzz Beeler
12:16 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bat, that was part of my life, one that I was proud of. I never made any reference in my campaign literature pertaining to that issue.
Most of what I stated in my literature has come about. I predicted a budget crisis, community destabilization, an increase in illegal immigration, a change in demographics in the county and a PUD process that the Sun and other political writers stated needed to be revamped.
I suggested code enforcement be combined with a police service officer, since many of the complaints require the actions of both. I suggested regular meetings between community leaders and the councilman, a open door policy that in this district is closed.
This district has one of the the highest unemployment rates in the county. This district is responsible for 50% of rat infestation calls.
I promised to repeal the pension system and bring back community policing along with requiring disclosure in anyone doing business with the county.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-jablon-20111206,0,2299516.story
Buzz Beeler
12:26 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bart, do you work for a councilman? You seem to identify with Armstrong on a frequent basis. This is like many of governments problems. If you are going to make an opinion based on your experience than I think that is a pertinent question.
For example if you worked for someone in the county government, disclosure would explain your point of view. That is the difference between others and myself. I am not afraid to put my name and reputation behind what I write while -- nobodies -- like Armstrong who has no achievements in life is afraid of everything. Why do think he has a cardboard head?
Bart
7:35 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I don' work for anybody. And again..wow.
Buck Harmon
9:49 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Somewhere in the middle lye solutions.... that's good news..
Buzz Beeler
10:54 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Well stated and quite true.
Buzz Beeler
9:00 am on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Nor, well written and thoughtful. Last night Councilman Marks posted a comment and there was good exchange of thoughts. Then this appeared:
____________________________________
Towson Patch
Robert Armstrong commented on the blog post Quirk 'Not Inclined' To Support Term Limits
"Buzz is an asshole."
__________________________________________
I don't mind the heat, it goes with the territory. The one thing that does bother me is that a councilman takes the time to come on this site and comment to us and then this is allowed.
It cheapens the integrity and will damage the reputation of this site. The majority of those that comment attempt to do so in a mature manner and this is not good for business.
Discourse is good but people of this ilk will drive away those leaders like Councilman Marks who takes the time to share his thoughts with us.