I am very concerned about these "changes" in the department. BCoPD is the best in MD. Let's pray that politics don't influence the priorities in keeping the force at that level.

Bryan, You overlooked something from your article on the Early Retirement bill. This is from your article "Homan said that only employees who are in positions that can be eliminated will be approved for the early retirement program". You telling me there will be no more Eastside and Westside Commanders, no more County Nighttime Commander, or Cockeysville or Parkville Precinct Captains. Didn't you even ask that question? That would be my next question after Chief Johnson told me who was retiring. A call to Homans office would be next to explain how these people qualified. Sounds like your satisfied, well, not me. It sounds like these people are getting 3 extra years of pension and we will be replacing them anyway

I went back and read the early retirement incentive bill and it says that the department head must do away with either the position of the person retiring or another position in the department. So, the way I interpret it, he can do away with the major and captain positions or other positions in the agency. There is no way that they would not fill the precinct commanders with other captains. The other positions may be on the chopping block. The only thing that confuses me is the comment he makes regarding the three colonels. Why would you do away with all three to make a deputy chief? This is a very big organization with almost 2,000 officers. I can see reducing the number of colonels if one retired, but I didn't see any colonel's names on the list. Anyway, it sounds like a major re-organization getting ready to happen.

Just like the rest of Baltimore County government, too many chiefs and administrators. Nothing really lost but a lot of brass.

Dear Reader,
Obviously, you know nothing about the structure of a large police dept. and do not realize the "brass" that is leaving BCoPD are the true LEADERS that have served the community for, well some as much as 38 years. Some "brass" is required to lead the lower ranks. These people started as patrolmen and earned their way up the ranks to the Brass you are referring to. These leaders will be sorely missed.
Pharmkween

Bryan, so you are telling me no one will be promoted to fill these positions. If someone is promoted, then the positions wouldn't be elegible for the early retirement. C'mon Bryan, don't drink the Kool~Aid, ask the tough questions

Mrs. Lurz you are correct in what you said to " Reader " obviously he does not understand the make up of the Police Department. Also "Reader" these are not just more brass being let go.....These individuals that you speak about in such a " non-chalant manner" are people who have dedicated their lives to making our communities a safe haven for our kids to grow up in...Some of these individuals I have personally known for many years...No, we are not just loseing a bunch of brass "Reader", We are in fact saying good-bye to some very compentent individuals which is going to be very hard to fill the void that is going to be created...There is one more thing that I find somewhat disturbing about what Chief Johnson has said about it being to early to talk about the three colonels in his command staff...These colonels are individuals that have worked very hard to achieve their rank in the department....The creation of a deputy chief to fill their duties is going to be difficult because of the different dynamics involved in each of the command positions....Of course that is just my opinion...But one thing I do not appreciate is the Chief saying it is to early to discuss the colonels future when he already knows that the colonels have been notified that their positions are being eliminated. The only thing this reorganization plan is going to achieve is the weakening of the department....Good Luck"

This is pretty commonplace before the Feds Sweep in.

Something is rotten in the State of Denmark.

Well Bon Bon; your assesment of the upper level command staff is completely absurd. It seems to me that you do not understand that they are not trying to prevent you from taken pictures of different structures in our city, they are trying to determine for what purpose these photos are going to be used for...After 9/11 I would much rather they inconveinence you somewhat, then have a total breakdown in security. The other point is that they are never sure what they have as a call and just maybe their skepticism may be the tool that keeps them alive....Sorry Bon Bon; but your assesment of the departure of these individuals from the force is way off base. Hope you have a nice day.... :)

The loss of these commanders will have an impact on the reputation of the Baltimore County Department. They are commanders who have carried on the legacy of past chiefs and commanders of previous generations who have intstilled a pure sense of integrity and quality of service provided by the department. Fortunately the calibre of the officers and remaining personnel will help get it through once the "smoke" clears.

There are several issues going on here, and none of them are good. In fact I would say the department is incomplete disarray.

The first one deals with eliminating a potential threat, the second one deals with revenge and the third and forth ones are pending.

The retaliation involves the Blake case which lead to the feds investigation into the county's handling of ADA cases. I think the feds will find the county guilty in 18 cases. This is a Homan operation. The other is the chief's effort to eliminate a potential rival. In the coming weeks the name will be announced and they too will leave.

There is another issue out there and this person will not back down and was one of the few with the courage to face this tyranny. It took courage to do what this person did.

There is an old saying that goes something like -- "Get while the going is good." For the others is was a finical decision. When you're talking about that kind of money, especially that late in their careers, it makes sense.

Again, I go back to leadership and the lack there of.

This mess is looming on the horizen and it too involves Homan.

http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/court-rejects-county-ethics-claim-against-barnhart

I should have known that someone like yourself, holding 3 college degrees, speaking 6 languages, traveling a million miles around the world and fought in 3 wars, now has all of the inside information on this story.

You are a very busy something.

May I be so bold as to ask how long you were on the force? Do you even know where headquarters is?

As I said, based on your choice of words you write like some young angry teen who borrows their parent’s computer. The sad part is you have no clue as to the association between the two. Your own choice of words shows a complete lack of maturity as no adult that I know would be that inadequate to make the same childish mistakes time after time.

As the saying goes: "Children should be seen and not heard."

Where were you stationed in Viet Nam?

It says something about the BCPD that they would accept someone that was 4 F'ed. The military wouldn't take him and after sitting behind a desk for 39 years he claimed disability. You should be ashamed of yourself, collecting disability while you go to the gym every day.

My record is posted on my website, including photos of my career.

I was working undercover narcotics before you were born. During the Amtrak train disaster I don't recall seeing you there. I did not claim disability, I retired on my length of service.

Why don't you tell the veterans up at Golds who work out as they struggle to get their lives back that they should be ashamed.

You have never dealt with the truth and I suspect there are some serious issues behind your deception in regards to your life's story which is nowhere to be found.

People like you who have nothing to show for their life's work should be pitied. The sad part is that your need to feel a sense of power by childish and immature comments based on falsehoods, just like the face you use as your signature.

How sad that is to know you can't even have pride in your own photograph.

There are no records of Robert Armstrong anywhere that I can find. The facts speak for themselves.

A little note to Laurie & Jim. No one is indespensible and no matter what, as Annie would sing, "The sun will come up tomorrow. bet your bottom dollar, they'll be sun."

Comments can be "Flag as inappropriate" (as seen on each comment on any Patch) and possibly someone did that out of courtesy to trying to keep discussions in a civil tone. It is up to Patch editors whether the comment should or should not be deleted due to content once flagged by a reader, registered or not on Patch. That may be what happened (In my own opinion deleted appropriately)

Robert, I noticed after I took you to task on your comment you deleted it. Were you embarrassed.

What you forgot is that your comments arrive in my in-box exactly the way you wrote it.

Just so people understand my reply to you, I'll post your comment again. I think that goes along with your character which is on based on deception.

Here is your comment addressed at me:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Towson Patch

Robert Armstrong commented on the article Baltimore County Police Department To See Command Staff Exodus

"Red Ass Alert!"

View the updated article and reply to the comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the second time you tried that tactic but like most who lack the knowledge regarding this site, you forgot about the little box that says: "Keep me posted."

Also, there is no need for quotation marks, unless that is you are talking to yourself.

Brad, you are correct. Generally when the comment is written it arrives in you in-box in its original form. If it violates the terms of use Patch will notify you that that particular comment was deleted for violating those terms.

There is an opportunity, or window of time the writer can delete their comment for a variety of reasons. I do it many times when I find typos or grammatical errors.

Robert was trying to be rather coy but failed to realize that his comment appears in my incoming mail just as he wrote it. If Patch removed it for a "terms of use," issue they also notify you.

The reader cannot delete any other posters comments. After a certain amount of time, even the writer cannot delete his comment.

I hate to ruin Robert's day, because he thought he pulled a fast one, but you live and learn.

I had the pleasure and honor to have worked with everyone of the Baltimore Co. Police Department command staff who has decided to retire. Every cop leaves their mark, their service, their sacrifice that was only recognized by those personally touched in their duty during their career. There are some great leaders leaving the agency, while many deserve respect, I think Capt. Marty Lurz might well be the strongest commander leaving at his time, to Marty and everyone else, thanks for your service, thanks for the memories and best wishes.

Thank you Mr Foracappo. Baltimore County will be losing a lot of valuable experience with these veterans retiring, but there are some here who would paint them all with one broad, very ugly brush.
In this time in the history of the country and the county, sacrifices must be made to balance budgets, and an offer of a voluntary, early retirement is almost painless, and I'm sure this hasn't been an easy decision. I'm sure there are quality persons to fill their shoes.
I thank them for their service, and wish them well.

Hey Jerry remember the good ole days when leadership and integrity actually meant something.

Angie Kessler DiPaula
Captain Michael Joseph DiPaula, Big day to say the least!! That title has an incredible history behind it, makes my heart so heavy today along with yours I'm sure. I want to tell you, as your wife and the hearts of your children, how very proud we are of you today and everyday you have served so faithfully!! As well as your fellows Commanders who are retiring with you! You are a man of unbelievable character, integrity and leadership!! You stand for everything that's right and fall for NO ONE!! The Baltimore County Police Department will have a huge void for a very long time and, in my opinion, will never be able to fill those shoes!!! Thank you for 35 years of service!! I love you! Angie

I didn't delete anything.

Now that this crop of old white guys is out the door this would be an excellent time for the county to promote more minorities and women into command positions.

Mr. Buzz, you do and have come across as the "angry white guy", or the guy always the last one picked, or not picked at all on the playgrounds of yesteryear. You do think you have the inside story on everything when you have the inside story on nothing. Just once or twice praise government or the officials for the job they do.
Mr. Armstrong, you are not always correct either. There are times that government does not act on behalf of all of the citizens and does make wrong decisions for all of the wrong reasons.
Bottom line, take the political ramifications out of all decisions and just "do the right thing", for all of Baltimore County. It's not always a conspiracy and not always for the right reason.
To the men of the police force, godspeed,you have made Baltimore County a better place to live.

Mr. Dorn: Well said! Mr. Armstrong, that was a classless thing you said! Mr. Beeler, well Mr. Dorn pretty much covered it on you. I think what you and Mr. Armstrong need to do is take it outside and settle your problems, because I know I'm tired of hearing it. What you guys have done is diminish the accomplishments of these officers as they walk out the door and retire. Mr. Beeler, I'm really surprised that you would even get involved in this type of exchange, being that you retired from the department. Shame on you. Your let your ego get the best of you.

Mr. Dorn and Mr. Shawson, may I be so bold as to ask how many years did you have in the BCPD and what were your duty assignments?

I will not stand by while someone ridicules me over childish and bigoted remarks and Mr. Shawson I will agree with you that I do let Mr. Armstrong get to me. You are absolutely right about that comment.

During my 39 years I watched Dale Anderson, Sam Green and Gary Huddles get indicted. After all those years, do you think I make this stuff up. You think I might have some people still working who are as disgusted as I am over some of these issues? I guess both of you have the contacts in the department that give you the inside story.

Name one incident where I was wrong. I have been writing about the feds and the ADA investigation since way before either of you and your 10 total comments came to this site.

Am I angry? You bet I am. Why, because of people like Mr. Fred Homan and others who ran the department into its current state of disarray. Politics and police work are not a good mix. Chief Neil Behan, one of the great chief's, would have never allowed this type of conduct.

There are other issues out there looming and they too will not be pretty.

If either of you can point out one issue I have written about that was incorrect regarding the police department, please point it out to me.

More people need to get angry, otherwise the corruption of power will bring down more than the issues the BCPD are facing.

Mr. Otoole,thank you. What is being done in the department by the administration is no secret to the people who are working out there in both the department and the county.

Wait till the $500 million Fort Howard land deal gets cranked up with another PUD. Wait until they see who is involved and much money is at stake.

Wait until the people who live down there find a mini city in the midst of the homes.

Do they think Jim Smith has been sitting on his thumbs. The same stuff keeps right on trucking. Just take a look at yesterdays Sun and the public announcement of the project. It seems the developers forgot about getting back to the community with all of their infrastructure reports, a promise they made back in June.

The announcement states the community has until the end of November to study the impact to their world. The funny part is you have to make an appointment during 9 am to 3:30 pm -- when most people are working -- to read a the one copy of the report.

I have made this statement time and time again, --Yorkway leads to Fort Howard!

When I called I suggested they may want to make some extra copies they said oh, that might be a good idea. They might need them.

What in the world do retiring cops have to do with Fort Howard??

It's all part of the big, evil plan that's waiting for us. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Mr. Buzz, the good nuns at St. Rita used to drill into us all of the time, "you don't need to experience a crucifixon to understand the meaning or the reasons or the impact". It is unnecessary for any of us to have served on the force in order to have insight. You pretend to have insight all of the time about the inner workings of the executive office and county council offices. A fair question would be, what public office have you ever held? I think we all know the answer to that. So please quit using that as a way of saying we don't know anything or that our opinions aren't valid. We all have opinions, we read, we talk, we listen and we learn. As to Fort Howard, 500 retired military families doesn't sound so awful to me.It has the makings of one heck of a project, regardless of who's leading the charge. As I said earlier , more and more you look and sound like the guy who was never picked on a team. Sorry Mr. Buzz, maybe you just weren't good enough.

Roger, remember who made the first comment. It was you not me. I don't pretend to have insight, I do have insight, 39 years worth. You made the first critical comment based on what? You speak to my creditability without any evidence to challenge that creditability. Answer my question and point out an instance where I was not accurate. Nuns have nothing to do with this unless you're still in school.

I ran for public and lost. What office did you run for? I spent over two years and $30,000 of my money in the process. I still meet with elected officials who feel the system has lost its integrity.

As to your comment about Fort Howard, better guess again. Try 1,47 units to be exact, including; mixed housing, multifamily housing, retail facilities, recreational facilities, and office buildings along with parking.

I'm sure the nuns taught you how to do your homework. Look up the documents on this deal. There is a community meeting at the North Point Fire Hall, Tues. Nov. 15th between 7-9 pm.

Were you at the last meeting back in June? There is no guarantee that this site is strictly for veterans. Are you aware of the communities concerns over this? Have you ever talked to the community president?

I bring this issue up because it is systemic of county government in general. Much of the foundation of the current conditions in the police department were under the leadership of Jim Smith, Councilman John Olszewski, along with County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Fred Homan.

Tinfoil Hat Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwofL_gF0Wk

Mr. O'Toole: I don't believe that everything that glitters is gold. In fact, I am very suspicious of most things. I realize that these men helped shape the department....That's why I said that Mr. Beeler is diminishing their accomplishments, and that's why I said that he and Mr. Armstrong should "take it outside" and settle their bickering! What pisses me off is that Mr. Beeler and Mr. Armstrong started their normal crap on this article....When in fact, this is about the accomplishments of these commanders, not about Mr. Beeler being screwed over (I happen to agree that he was), or about a planned development. Nor is this about Mr. Armstrong's normal postings here. These commanders should be honored here for serving the county and its citizen's for the number of years that they did. I know I appreciate what they have done!

How many promotions did Bunker get in his 39 years?

The announcement just came that 17 more members of the department are retiring.

There is one captain in that group. The others include officers, sergeants, and lieutenants. In that group were some great and dedicated cops who spent many years under one of the county's finest Chief's, Neil Behan.

Mr. Shawson, did you read what you just wrote? Your quote of "Take it outside," does that include you because you're whole comment was not about the subject regarding the command staff, but about other issues between myself and Armstrong.

The one thing I will take your advise on is dealing with that person. I will not respond in any future comments. I have made a huge mistake and you are right and I will learn from that. I have never made comments to start that fray. Just as here I am responding to your comments.

I have not made any statement regarding the men who served but rather directed my remarks to the administration that allowed this situation to culminate into the issue it has become.

I pointed out Fort Howard as it relates to the political leadership that is responsible for the current situation inside the department. They have become so embolden in there belief that their actions are beyond reproach that in order to effect a constructive change, one must understand the dynamics of that political leadership, otherwise IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL!

It's not just a simple question of a pat on the back, a hand shake and a Timex Watch.
You root out the core of the problem to effect any kind of lasting change.
How do you think things like this happen? People are uninformed about the facts -- the entire facts -- that lead to situations like this.

Your comments just draw more attention to the situation that you decry.

Bill Dauterive (a.k.a Robert Armstrong),
Please check out these facts before you use language as above in your comments.
http://encyclopedia.toiletpaperworld.com/toilet-paper-facts

Wow, Robert, you know Hank Hill? Does he give you a discount on propane and propane accessories?

I bear as much blame for making the same mistakes time after time. I need to control my impulse to engage in these demeaning dialogues with this person. When I stop and think about how I acted, it is embarrassing.

Mr. Shawson was correct in his assessment of my immaturity regarding this issue.

I looked at the list of the 17 newly announced retirees and like my other retired friends, the time is fast approaching where we will no longer know anyone that is still on the job.

Young cops learn from the good veteran cops. They set the standard and experience in tough situations means a great deal, especially when your decisions can impact another's life for eternity.

Nope, no discount on propane but I did get a really cool Strickland Hardware hat.

The bottom line here is that the politicians of Baltimore County are taking one of the TOP law enforcement agencies in this country and tearing it apart! Watch how the crime stats change after they're finished totally messing things up.

I became a volunteer for the BCoPD 8 years ago because of my respect and appreciation for police officers and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to the agency now.

The men and women who are retiring (or being forced to retire) have been a huge help in developing this agency to be what it was! Thank you to all of those who are leaving (& those remaining) - for your dedication to communities that you served.

In my judgement the Baltimore County Police Department is top heavy in rank. If you knew the salaries the Colonels were receiving you would realize that the department could hire a half dozen patrolmen for what each cost. Patrolmen do the job on the street and they are guided by their Sergeant. When was the last time you saw a Colonel patroling the streets. I was always told that the back bone of the police department . Lets give the bottom ranks the credit they deserve. I retired to make room for the lower ranks to move up. No body likes to retire a patrolman but that happerns when the older officers hold on beyond their years.

Adam, they always short staffed the patrol ranks for the specialized units. It got to the point that patrol was always short and often times set up post cars. One of the guys on the midnight shift said it was bad when you thought you might need backup.

All of those years I thought about taking the test slipped by rather quickly as retirement is now.

Adam, you are smart. "Seniority and Senility ride close together. "

Bueller never figured that out.

Mr. Armstrong, your comment was uncalled for. You talk like a member of the disgruntled F.O.P. members who are more nterested in complaining than doing your job. Most of the command officers that retired had college educations and went on to higher paying jobs. I am sorry that your police career left you disatisfied and bitter.

Buzz, The department became under staffed as a result of over specialization. When Behan came down from New York he organized a specialized unit for everything.. When I worked the Sergeant was in charge of his shift and the Captain his district. The Sergeant analized crime trends and was responsible for his shift. We didn't have the F.O.P. to interfer in matters of discipline. As a result we had dedicated police officers who performed their duty. Officers that didn't measure up were soon gone. It was almost like being in the military.

Sorry Adam. I would rather shovel horse shit then be a cop.

The rising police state is a product of losing the law that is supposed to protect us. Seems that police are no longer being trained as the "public servants" we used to know and respect. We have devolved from employing well trained public service officers to combat ready enforcement soldiers,armed to the hill with militarized weaponry. Rather than serve the public, keeping the public under control seems to be the new trend. This trend contradicts freedom and our Constitution in my opinion. Of course... the homeland security hype tends to fund the evolution of a police state environment with unlimited fiat funding dollars. Bigger, better weaponry, why?
The REAL laws of the land that protect honest hardworking citizens are eroding for reasons much larger then street crimes related to a failing of our economy and government.

Less leadership with a better education process would benefit the public in ways that we have not yet experienced. Playing or participating in the tit for tat numbers game only broadens the grey zone of keeping the public ill informed as to what is REALLY going on at the top. They thrive in this illusion.

Mr. Armstrong, you have no right to comment or criticize the Baltimore County Police Department if you were not an active member of it. If you can't say something constructive don't say anything at all. There is no organization that is perfect. Most of the command members work hard to make the department best they can. There are always new and inovative ideas about how to improve.. I will not second guess Chief Johnson if he feels there is a need to reorganize the police department. I see things in the department I don't agree with based on my prior experience and education. Knowing the Chief's background and education I am sure he will do what is best for the department

Bart, I am sorry that you had a bad experience with your local police. I was a policeman from 1953 to 1973 and we were public servants then. If we did wrong we didn't have the F,O,P, and its staff of lawyers to defend us. The Sergeant administered discipline which was immediate and took care of the violation. You should have filed a complaint with the shift commander in the precinct you lived in. Most policeman I have met have been ladies and gentlemen. There is always a bad apple in the group.

The process of training police officers is what needs to be re-organized, not the department. Turning out heavily armed enforcement will only continue to add insult to injury. Law abiding citizens should not fear a militarized force. There will always be lots of crime, but criminals don't fear the police, there are plenty of lawyers seeing to that.... Crime pays.

Buck, the BCPD is an accredited law enforcement agency by CALEA. The standards are some of the most stringent in the country.

http://www.calea.org/

I had the opportunity to assist in the writing of those standards as they related to traffic enforcement. The procedure is that CALEA establishes a set of complex standards on every aspect of police work.

The agency is required to respond to those standards by providing a written documentation dealing with training and implementation on all phases of the process.

A DUI charge must have documents outlining every aspect of how the officer effecting the arrest responds. This applies to all aspects of police work.

After the inspection of all written documentation, the agency must show the CALEA Inspectors how these procedures are implemented.

No easy task I assure you.

It take years of work by hundreds of officers and mangers at all levels to achieve this lofted achievement.

Buzz, As with most of todays Gov. agencies, the fox guards the hen house. The Calea structure is composed of 21 members. 11 must be law enforcement and the remainder are appointed to this non-profit structure. The term accredited can be used for anything these days, it is also abused alot. I am a self appointed "accredited" fighter for Constitutional rights that are being trampled by the very same officers that swore to uphold it. Private citizen rights are violated by trained enforcers every day. Written documentation is only as accurate as the force that created it. The dumbed down public is and has been scammed into believing this stuff. I grew up in Baltimore Co. and have followed the trends of policing as well. I have seen cops drinking at local bars and driving regularly. I witnessed an off duty officer cross a double line and crash head on into a woman with a child in her car. I also witnessed the cover up.. beginning with the volunteer FD that arrived on the scene before the cops. I know cops that smoke pot as well... went through school with them. I have been disappointed on a regular basis with this kind of bad behavior. You may say that these are isolated instances but I know better. You learn a lot when you watch from the weeds over a 30 yr. span. If things were lofty with this achievement then why do they seem to be heading in an even worse direction today. It's time to re-write the pay book.

O, by the way, the Constitution remains the highest and most stringent law in the Country. It is above all other laws. I have asked several Baltimore County officers to provide me with a copy of their sworn oath to uphold it and they didn't have a clue as to why I would make such a request. I don't have a problem with the police dept., just the current trend.

Buck, I will agree you have some valid points. The ADA case in the PD is a good example. The towing scandal in the city is another.

Under Behan integrity and professionalism was paramount. I have stayed in touch with some of the current members, many of whom are supervisors and they admit there is a decline in the quality of the officers on the street.

I also had several personal experiences with some encounters and was made out to be the one interrogated while the suspect stood by and snickered. A Verizon supervisor steeped and chided the officer for actions in turning the victim into the suspect. He had the records to back up his statement.

It all boils down to leadership as is the case with any endeavor.

Thanks Buzz,
I see the situation that has prompted this very long blog as a possible opportunity to seek positive improvement rather than a negative shortcoming for the BCPD. The REAL value to the public will come with improved training in my opinion..... enforcement of the enforcers = accountability for the people.

Buck you brought into view the issues that I and a lot of retired officers see and I should know, I was on the other side of the badge I wore for 39 years.

Hey Buzz, How did you dodge the draft?

39 Years??? "Seniority and Senility ride close together."

To All: Someone said there is something different in the county police department compared to years ago. I say there is a lack of pride in the way officers dress. There doesn't appear to be a uniform of the day any more. You see officers wearing some sort uniform sweater, later someone wearing a zip up jacket wearing a ball cap, another wearing a dress uniform. Rarely does anyone wears a hat anymore. I saw an officer driiving a marked police car and when he got out he was wearing blue jeans, a uniform shirt, with his weapon strapped to his side. He was delivering court summons and was dressed what I considered casually. A police department is a quasi-military organization. I believe respect comes for the uniform when you wear one. When you drress like a truck driver you act like one, or that is the publics opinion.