Jim O’Toole, the long time Director of the announced at the December 12 meeting that he was resigning from his post as director, a position he held for the past nine years.
Mr. O’Toole told this blogger that he felt it was time for new leadership at the council and this was a good time to step down. Assistant Director, Steve Collins will take over as the new director. “It’ time for a change. I’ve been in this position eight years,” Mr. O’Toole said reflectively.
Some of Mr. O’Toole's accomplishments included helping the Dundalk PCRC organization form into a LLC and register as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.
Jim also spoke proudly about the worthy cause of assisting fellow officers. The group raised funds for Josh Weir, whose life goal was to be a police officer and qualified for acceptance into the department but a deadly illness cut short his goal of making it into the police academy.
Jim was there when Chief Jim Johnson presented Josh with his honorary badge even though he did not make it to the academy and passed away shortly thereafter.
There was prior announcement of the resignation at the last meeting, but a few friends got wind of the announcement and showed up to pay tribute to their friend. They were Baltimore County Police Colonel Kim Ward, Senator Norman Stone, former Baltimore County Councilman Joe Bartenfelder and Captain Jan Brown, who presented Jim with a special plaque.
Jim’s final word on the matter was he felt he did his best to bring together the community and the police department and in his opinion the organization will be in good hands under the leadership of Steve Collins.
