Next Steps on the Development of the Johns Hopkins Police Department

Thursday April 20, 2023

Dear Johns Hopkins Community,

I am humbled and honored to take on the role of the inaugural chief of police for the JHPD while continuing to serve as vice president for public safety.

I am pleased to update you on the next steps in the implementation of the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD) and our commitment to building a model of progressive, community-oriented, and community-accountable policing. After finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Baltimore Police Department in December, as required by the state law creating the JHPD, we are turning our focus to two crucial parts of JHPD’s foundation.

First, we are beginning to build a JHPD leadership team with those who share my vision to create a public safety organization that allows everyone to feel safe, which includes a deputy chief, a dedicated community engagement advisor, and a senior director for policy, training, and accreditation. Later this year, we will also begin accepting sworn officer applications for the JHPD. One of our highest priorities is finding candidates in Baltimore who want to be a part of the community and neighborhoods around our campuses; please look for us at local hiring events.

We have also started formulating the policies that will guide the JHPD’s day-to-day work—from training and operational policies, to personnel and administrative ones—following state laws and regulations and drawing on best practices established through nationwide police reform movements.

In keeping with our commitment to transparency and community partnership, these policies will be provided to the JHPD Accountability Board and posted in draft form on the public safety website starting in late June and continuing through the summer. All draft policies will be available for a 60-day period of community review and feedback, then finalized to reflect that input and posted publicly by October 1.

I hope you will join me for a virtual forum next week to learn more about the policy development process, timeline, and how you can participate and provide feedback. For those who are unable to attend, the forum will be recorded and posted on the public safety website.

Virtual Forum: JHPD Policy Development Process

Date/Time: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Watch the Livestream Here: https://publicsafety.jhu.edu/updates-and-events/virtual-events/

Through my career in law enforcement, I have learned that as we continually strive to improve, we must always seek input from our community. Together, through honest dialogue and partnership, we will make our campuses and communities safer and more welcoming for everyone

Sincerely,

Branville G. Bard Jr.

Vice President for Public Safety