Baltimore Police Comm. Anthony Batts Fired By Mayor Rawlings-Blake!

RadioOnFire.com - BALTIMORE — Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that she has replaced Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts, citing "utmost urgency" to stop a recent surge in violence.


"We cannot grow Baltimore without making our city a safer place to live," Rawlings-Blake said at a press conference at City Hall. "We need a change. This was not an easy decision, but it is one that is in the best interest of the people of Baltimore. The people of Baltimore deserve better."

Rawlings-Blake named Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis interim commissioner, effective immediately.

The city's homicide rate spiked soon after riots overtook much of West Baltimore on April 27. The city recorded 42 homicides in May, the deadliest month in 25 years. There have been 31 homicides in the past month.

Batts was hired to lead the city's police force since October 2012. Batts had last served as police chief in Long Beach, Calif., and Oakland, Calif. He earned more than $200,000 a year.

Del. Curt Anderson, a Baltimore Democrat and co-chair of the state's new working group on public safety, said the move was inevitable.

"I know there was a lot of frustration over what was going on in Baltimore," Anderson said. "Clearly when the discussion about the police commissioner becomes more important than actual problem, the mayor has to remove that obstacle."

Davis, who has most recently served as deputy commissioner, has a long history in law enforcement.

He previously served as police chief in Anne Arundel County and assistant police chief in Prince George's County.