Michael S. Harrison
A graduate of the University of Phoenix and Loyola University New Orleans, Harrison joined the NOPD in 1991. He rose through the ranks of the department, ultimately becoming superintendent in August 2014, appointed by Mayor Mitch Landrieu to replace Ronal Serpas. During his time as superintendent, homicide and shooting rates fell, but theft significantly increased. He was reappointed as superintendent in May 2018. While he was recommended as a candidate for commissioner of the BPD, Harrison declined, wishing to remain with the NOPD. Despite this, Harrison ultimately agreed to join the BPD in January 2019 after leading candidate Joel Fitzgerald dropped out. Harrison officially became commissioner in March, a position he held until his resignation in June 2023, after which Richard Worley was appointed as acting commissioner. As commissioner, Harrison claimed decreases in homicides and shootings.
Early life
Harrison was born in 1968 or 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix and a master's from Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police, Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Executive Institute.
Career
New Orleans Police Department
Harrison joined the New Orleans Police Department in 1991. He became a sergeant in the Major Case Narcotics Section in 1995, a sergeant for the Eighth District in 1999, and Sergeant of the Public Integrity Bureau in 2000, in which he participated in covert investigations against officers. During one such mission, he posed as a corrupt officer to help take down corrupt officers and a drug ring.
In 2006, he was appointed Lieutenant of the Public Integrity Bureau. In January 2009, he was appointed Lieutenant and Assistant District Commander of the Seventh District, before returning to the Public Integrity Bureau in 2010. He became Commander of the Specialized Investigations Division of the Public Integrity Bureau, which manages the narcotics, vice, criminal intelligence, and gang enforcement units, in January 2011.
He was appointed superintendent by Mayor Mitch Landrieu in August 2014 to replace outgoing Superintendent Ronal Serpas, during which the department was under a federal consent decree.
In 2018, while he was superintendent, New Orleans saw 146 homicides, the lowest figure since 1971, a 28% drop in lethal shootings, while car robberies and thefts had increased in the double digits. He was reappointed as superintendent in May 2018 before informing Mayor LaToya Cantrell of his retirement from the department for Baltimore in 2019. He served 27 years with the department. Cantrell named Shaun Ferguson to replace Harrison on January 14.
Baltimore Police Department
While Gary Tuggle was acting commissioner following the resignation of Darryl D. DeSousa, a search panel recommended Harrison, however, Harrison declined, saying he was committed to New Orleans. Mayor Catherine Pugh chose Joel Fitzgerald, the chief of the Fort Worth Police Department, to become commissioner. Fitzgerald, however, withdrew his candidacy due to resumé issues and a medical emergency involving his son, and Harrison agreed to become acting commissioner in January 2019.
Harrison became the 41st commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department on March 12, 2019, during which the Baltimore Police Department was under another federal consent decree due to unconstitutional policing. While commissioner, he claimed a decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings.
On June 6, 2023, during a budget hearing, Baltimore City Council member Eric Costello asked Harrison if he planned to stay for the entirety of his term as police commissioner. Unhappy with his answer, he reiterated his question twice, then, still dissatisfied with his answer, abruptly called a five-minute recess. Harrison denied rumors that he was going to Washington, D.C., at the end of his contract.
On June 8, 2023, Mayor Brandon Scott, after "numerous conversations over the past few weeks," announced Harrison's resignation and the appointment of deputy commissioner Richard Worley as acting commissioner, the 11th change of power since 2000. He said he has no offers, had not been interviewed for any jobs, and wants to "breathe".
Personal life
Harrison married his high school sweetheart in 1992. They have two children. As of March 2023, he was the president of the board of directors of the Police Executive Research Forum.
References
- ^ Fenton, Justin; Conarck, Ben; Sullivan, Emily; Willis, Adam (June 8, 2023). "Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison stepping down". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Commissioner Michael Harrison: "Better Days Are Coming"". WMAR. October 27, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Fulginiti, Jenny; Miller, Jayne; Amara, Kate (January 8, 2019). "New Orleans police superintendent named mayor's new pick for Baltimore police commissioner". Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Finch, Chris (January 8, 2023). "NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison leaving for Baltimore, city leaders share thoughts". Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Fenton, Justin (March 14, 2023). "An uncertain future for BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison as he enters last year of contract". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Sledge, Matt; Vargas, Ramon (January 9, 2019). "New Orleans police chief Michael Harrison hired in Baltimore, to depart NOPD, officials announce". The Advocate. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Sledge, Matt; Vargas, Ramon Antonio (February 2, 2019). "For Shaun Ferguson, a West Bank police 'brotherhood' helped drive his rise to NOPD chief". The Advocate. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Jayne; Melser, Lowell; Snyder, Ron. "Baltimore, DOJ reach deal on consent decree for police reforms". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Pryor, Rebecca (June 8, 2023). "Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison leaves mixed legacy". WBFF. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Simms, Barry (February 28, 2023). "Baltimore beginning to see results of crime, violence reduction strategies, Harrison says". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Hall, Tom; Rogers, Teria; Sivak, Rob; Pinkard-Pierre, Malarie (April 21, 2023). "BPD Comm. Michael Harrison on public safety and a youth curfew". WYPR. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Clark, Tommie (June 6, 2023). "'I'm going to take a five-minute recess': Councilman walks out of police budget hearing". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Baltimore police Commissioner Michael Harrison fields questions on his future". WBAL Newsradio 1090. June 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison to step down". WBAL Newsradio 1090. June 8, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Hofstaedter, Emily (June 8, 2023). "Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison steps down early; Mayor names interim". WYPR. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.