Baltimore police is making progress

USA TODAY’s article “Baltimore police stopped noticing crime after Freddie Gray’s death. A wave of killings followed.” failed to report that, for more than a year, the Baltimore Police Department has been engaged with the Justice Department and a court-appointed monitoring team to help reform the department. This process will allow Baltimore city police officers to fight crime more effectively than ever before and, at the same time, vigorously protect the constitutional rights of the people we serve.

I’m proud to report that our efforts are already yielding significant results. As a result of better training, an improved relationship with the community and an increased focus on repeat violent criminals, crime has decreased in virtually every major category so far this year compared to last: homicides are down 19 percent, burglaries are down 28 percent, robberies are down 18 percent and total violent crime is down 16 percent. Perhaps of equal importance, complaints filed by residents for excessive force and discourtesy have both declined, as well — by 22 percent and 39 percent, respectively, per our count.

Mayor Catherine Pugh and I are very much aware that there is still much work to be done in terms of reducing crime and creating a culture within the police department that fully reflects our commitment to community-based, constitutional policing. But make no mistake: We are making progress — and for that reason, I am certain that Baltimore’s best days are ahead of us.

Gary Tuggle, interim commissioner Baltimore City Police Department Baltimore