Podcasts > American Scandal > Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

By Wondery

Venture into the dark corridors of the Baltimore Police Department in “American Scandal,” as host Lindsay Graham, alongside journalist Justin Fenton, unravel the thread of systemic corruption. In "Police Corruption in Baltimore," they shed light on how a culture of prioritizing results over right action has not only spurred unethical practices but allowed them to fester largely unchecked. Explore the intricate web of misconduct that's cost individuals their freedom and cast a long shadow over the community's trust in law enforcement.

The expose dives deep into the notorious Gun Trace Task Force's operations, where officers like Daniel Hersl conducted criminal operations with a brazenness born from a conviction of their own invincibility. The absence of stringent oversight mechanisms enabled these actions, indicating a much wider issue within the force. Stories like Umar Burley's showcase the devastating human cost of such corruption—false convictions, shattered lives, and a lingering distrust of the police. "American Scandal" delves into the aftermath and the steep road to reform and rebuilding public trust following the scandal's eruption onto the public stage.

Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

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Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

1-Page Summary

Baltimore Police culture encourages bad behavior

Baltimore Police Department's tendency to prioritize impressive results over ethical conduct has led to a culture that may condone or even encourage misconduct. Officers are lauded for their success in getting guns and drugs off the streets, but without proper oversight, they might resort to unlawful methods such as planting evidence to achieve commendations. The department has a historical pattern of scandals that show a deep-rooted lack of accountability. Even supervisors occasionally ignore questionable practices, allowing officers with known issues to not only remain in the force but also to move up the ranks, as seen with the case of Wayne Jenkins.

The Gun Trace Task Force operates brazenly without repercussions

The Gun Trace Task Force, as detailed by Justin Fenton, acted with impunity, engaging in criminal activities and perpetuating a belief of invincibility. Members like Daniel Hersl, despite having extensive histories of misconduct complaints, seemed unafraid as they committed robberies, extortion, and planted evidence. Their actions reflect a belief that they would not face any consequences, indicative of a broader issue within the department.

Lack of oversight enables Gun Trace Task Force corruption

A critical factor in the Gun Trace Task Force's corruption was the systemic lack of oversight within the Baltimore Police Department. Officers would seize vast sums during arrests but were not thoroughly checked to ensure all evidence was submitted. This lapse in oversight was exemplified when Maurice Ward, one of the task force's members, noticed no one questioned him upon failing to submit evidence. Supervisors often praised rather than scrutinized implausible productivity rates, like those reported by Task Force supervisor Wayne Jenkins. Complaints about officers' misconduct typically led nowhere, further entrenching a culture that emphasized results over integrity. The collective neglect allowed the squad to engage in and sustain corrupt practices largely undetected, eventually leading to significant scandals.

Traumatic fallout for victims like Umar Burley

Umar Burley's wrongful conviction for drug possession, a result of planted evidence by officers, led to years behind bars and persistent trauma. Despite his eventual release and a substantial legal settlement, Burley's deep-seated distrust towards police persisted, contributing to further tragic incidents, including a police chase and shooting his girlfriend in Virginia. The public unraveling of the Gun Trace Task Force's corrupt actions led to overturned cases, expensive lawsuits, and a significant financial toll on the city. Reforms are underway, but changing the deep-rooted police culture is recognized as a slow process, with public trust in law enforcement deeply shaken.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Wayne Jenkins was a Baltimore Police officer who led the Gun Trace Task Force, a unit involved in corruption scandals. Jenkins was known for his aggressive tactics and high arrest rates, which later were revealed to involve planting evidence and other illegal activities. His case highlighted the lack of oversight within the department and the culture that prioritized results over ethical conduct. Jenkins' actions and the subsequent investigations into his unit contributed to a broader understanding of systemic issues within the Baltimore Police Department.
  • The Gun Trace Task Force was a specialized unit within the Baltimore Police Department that was tasked with targeting illegal guns and violent crime. Members of this task force, such as Daniel Hersl and Wayne Jenkins, were involved in serious misconduct, including robbery, extortion, and evidence planting. The group operated with a sense of impunity, believing they could engage in criminal activities without facing consequences. The lack of oversight within the department allowed the Gun Trace Task Force to carry out corrupt practices unchecked, leading to significant scandals and wrongful convictions.
  • Maurice Ward was a member of the Gun Trace Task Force in the Baltimore Police Department. He played a significant role in the corruption within the task force by failing to submit evidence seized during arrests. Ward's actions, including not being questioned for his lapses in evidence submission, contributed to the systemic lack of oversight that enabled the task force's corrupt practices to go undetected. His involvement highlighted the culture of impunity and misconduct that plagued the unit.
  • Umar Burley was wrongfully convicted for drug possession due to evidence planted by corrupt officers from the Gun Trace Task Force. His wrongful imprisonment led to significant trauma and long-lasting distrust towards law enforcement. After his release and legal settlement, Burley's experiences continued to impact his life, contributing to further tragic incidents. The fallout from his case, along with others affected by the corrupt actions of the task force, highlighted the need for reforms within the Baltimore Police Department.

Counterarguments

  • The culture within the Baltimore Police Department may not be universally corrupt, and there could be many officers and units that operate with integrity and professionalism.
  • The actions of the Gun Trace Task Force and officers like Wayne Jenkins and Daniel Hersl may not be representative of the entire department, but rather outliers in an otherwise committed workforce.
  • The department may have systems of oversight in place, but these systems could have been overwhelmed or circumvented by particularly determined individuals or groups.
  • There may be instances where complaints about officer misconduct were taken seriously and addressed appropriately, but these cases might not receive as much public attention.
  • The department may have already been implementing reforms prior to the exposure of the Gun Trace Task Force's corruption, indicating a recognition of issues and a willingness to improve from within.
  • The narrative of prioritizing results over integrity might be an oversimplification, as police work often requires a balance between achieving results and maintaining ethical standards.
  • The financial strain on the city from lawsuits and settlements could be seen as an investment in accountability and a necessary step towards restoring public trust.
  • The slow process of changing police culture might be indicative of the complexity of reforming large institutions, rather than a lack of commitment to change.
  • The traumatic fallout for victims like Umar Burley is tragic, but it is also possible that the department has taken steps to provide support and prevent such incidents in the future.
  • Public trust in law enforcement may be deeply shaken, but there could be ongoing community outreach and engagement efforts aimed at rebuilding relationships between the police and the communities they serve.

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Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

Baltimore Police culture encourages bad behavior

The Baltimore Police Department's culture has been criticized for incentivizing misconduct among officers through its reward systems and lack of oversight.

The department rewards officers for getting guns and drugs off the streets, but doesn't provide oversight of how

In an effort to curtail crime, the Baltimore Police Department places a strong emphasis on removing guns and drugs from the streets. However, the lack of stringent oversight on the methods used to achieve these objectives is problematic. This absence of proper monitoring can inadvertently encourage officers to take illegal shortcuts, such as planting evidence, to show results and gain commendations.

There is a history of integrity issues and scandals showing lack of accountability

Baltimore's police force has been mired in various scandals that indicate a systemic issue with accountability and integrity. The Majestic Towing scandal, wherein officers received kickbacks for directing business to a particular towing company, is one such example of the corruption within the department. These incidents reveal that wrongful acts are not isolated instances but part of a broader cultural and institutional problem.

Supervisors turn a blind eye to questionable practices

Even more concerning is the tendency of supervisors within the department to overlook questionable practices by their subordinates. One notable ...

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Baltimore Police culture encourages bad behavior

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Majestic Towing scandal in Baltimore involved police officers receiving kickbacks for directing vehicles to a specific towing company. This scandal highlighted corruption within the police department and raised concerns about unethical practices. The officers' involvement in steering business to a particular towing company for personal gain undermined public trust in law enforcement. The incident underscored the need for increased accountability and transparency within the Baltimore Police Department.
  • The lack of oversight in police practices refers to the absence of proper monitoring and supervision of the methods and actions taken by police officers in carrying out their duties. This can lead to a situation where officers may engage in misconduct or illegal activities without being held accountable due to the failure of superiors to adequately oversee their actions. In the context of the Baltimore Police Department, this lack of oversight has been criticized for potentially incentivizing unethical behavior among officers, such as resorting to illegal shortcuts like planting evidence to achieve commendable outcomes. The absence of stringent oversight mechanisms can contribute to a culture where misconduct is not effectively addressed, fostering a climate of impunity within the police force ...

Counterarguments

  • The reward system is designed to motivate officers to perform well and is not inherently flawed; the issue may lie in its implementation or the lack of checks and balances.
  • Emphasizing the removal of guns and drugs is a legitimate strategy for reducing crime, and the majority of officers may be following legal and ethical procedures to achieve this goal.
  • The history of integrity issues and scandals, while serious, may not reflect the current state of the department if reforms have been implemented since those events.
  • The case of Wayne Jenkins, while troubling, may not be representative of the behavior or oversight of all supervisors in the department.
  • Calls for significant reform must be balanced with the recognition that any large orga ...

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Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

The Gun Trace Task Force operates brazenly without repercussions

Justin Fenton brings light to the brazen operations of the Gun Trace Task Force, a team whose members seemingly acted without fear of consequences, engaged in corrupt activities, and had histories of misconduct.

Many members have long histories of misconduct complaints

Daniel Hersl had repeatedly been sued for misconduct

Within the ranks of the Gun Trace Task Force, officer Daniel Hersl stands out as a particularly problematic officer, described by Justin Fenton as someone who had been repeatedly sued for misconduct.

The team feels invincible carrying out robberies, extortion, planting evidence

The offic ...

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The Gun Trace Task Force operates brazenly without repercussions

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Gun Trace Task Force was a specialized unit within the Baltimore Police Department that was tasked with investigating illegal gun activity. The unit faced significant controversy due to allegations of corruption, including officers engaging in criminal activities such as robbery, extortion, and evidence planting. The officers' actions highlighted a lack of accountability within the unit, allowing misconduct to persist unchecked. The revelations about the Gun Trace Task Force led to a broader investigation into police practices and accountability in Baltimore.
  • The Gun Trace Task Force was involved in corrupt activities such as robberies, extortion, and evidence planting. These officers operated with a sense of invincibility, believing they could engage in illegal actions without facing consequences. Their behavior created an environment where corruption could flourish unchecked within the unit.
  • The Gun Trace Task Force operated with impunity due to a la ...

Counterarguments

...

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Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

Lack of oversight enables Gun Trace Task Force corruption

The Gun Trace Task Force's corruption was facilitated by a systemic lack of oversight, allowing illegal activities to go undetected within the Baltimore Police Department.

No one checks if officers submit all confiscated money and drugs as evidence

Officers from the squad regularly encountered large sums of cash during arrests and were responsible for submitting it as evidence. Fenton suggests that not all confiscated cash was submitted, pointing to a significant lack of oversight. Officers, including members of the Gun Trace Task Force, got used to taking money with no repercussions. For instance, Maurice Ward, a member of the task force, realized they were not being monitored when he forgot to submit evidence and no one questioned him. Furthermore, the officers were implicated in staggering figures of cash not accounted for in evidence submissions.

Supervisors don't question suspiciously high productivity

When supervisors became aware of high productivity, such as Gun Trace Task Force supervisor Wayne Jenkins boasting about the number of guns seized in one night, they often praised rather than questioned the plausibility of such results. Fenton describes how disbelief arose among colleagues who wondered how such success was possible if everything was done by the book. Despite Jenkins being known for his difficult behavior and having a direct line to higher-ups which allowed him to circumvent his own supervisors, results were prioritized over the process.

Complaints about misconduct often go nowhere

Fenton also discusses broader systemic issues like complaints about misconduct not being adequately addressed. An officer reported another colleague for dining with a known drug dealer and was met with no substantive action. This "cone of silence" in the police force makes officers hesitant to report misconduct due to fear of retaliation or the lack of concrete proof. The independent report highlighted a systemic lack of accountab ...

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Lack of oversight enables Gun Trace Task Force corruption

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Gun Trace Task Force was a specialized unit within the Baltimore Police Department that was involved in corruption. This corruption involved officers engaging in illegal activities like theft, extortion, and overtime fraud. The lack of oversight and accountability within the department allowed these corrupt practices to persist unchecked, leading to a significant scandal and the indictment of the entire squad. The case highlighted systemic issues within the police force and the need for reforms to address these issues and prevent similar misconduct in the future.
  • The lack of oversight within the Baltimore Police Department allowed the Gun Trace Task Force to engage in corrupt practices without being monitored or questioned adequately. This absence of supervision created an environment where illegal activities, such as mishandling evidence and engaging in misconduct, could occur without detection or intervention. The failure to scrutinize officers' actions effectively enabled them to operate outside the boundaries of the law, leading to a culture of impunity within the department. This lack of oversight ultimately facilitated the perpetuation of corruption and misconduct within the police force.
  • The Gun Trace Task Force officers were responsible for submitting confiscated money and drugs as evidence during arrests. However, there were instances where not all confiscated cash was submitted, indicating a lack of oversight. This lack of oversight allowed some officers to take money without consequences, leading to significant amounts of cash not being properly documented in evidence submissions.
  • Supervisors not questioning suspiciously high productivity within the Gun Trace Task Force indicates that they did not thoroughly investigate or verify the extraordinary results achieved by the officers. This lack of scrutiny allowed for potential misconduct or illegal activities to go unnoticed, as supervisors failed to critically assess the plausibility of the reported successes. The focus on praising outcomes rather than scrutinizing the methods used to achieve them contributed to a culture where achieving results overshadowed the importance of following proper procedures. This dynamic created an environment where officers felt emboldened to engage in corrupt practices without facing adequate oversight or accountability.
  • Complaints about misconduct being ignored within the police force point to a systemic issue where reports of wrongdoing by officers are not adequately addressed or investigated. This lack of follow-up on complaints can create a culture of impunity, where officers feel they can engage in misconduct without facing consequences. It can also lead to a lack of trust within the department, as officers may fear retaliation for speaking out against ...

Counterarguments

  • Oversight mechanisms may have been in place, but were ineffective or circumvented by the officers involved.
  • High productivity could sometimes be the result of legitimate, effective police work rather than corruption.
  • Some complaints about misconduct may have been investigated, but the outcomes were not publicized, giving the impression of inaction.
  • The indictment of the entire squad could be seen as a strong response to corruption, indicating that oversight mechanisms can eventually work, albeit late.
  • The discontinuation of random integrity stings might have been du ...

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Police Corruption in Baltimore | "We Own This City" with Justin Fenton | 5

Traumatic fallout for victims like Umar Burley

The ordeal endured by Umar Burley exemplifies the gut-wrenching consequences of systemic corruption within law enforcement, resulting in wrongful convictions and deeply ingrained trauma even after release.

Wrongly convicted based on planted evidence, spends years in prison

Umar Burley was wrongfully convicted after heroin was planted in his car, following a chase initiated by officers in northwest Baltimore that tragically resulted in an elderly man's death. Burley, upon legal advice that the defense of planted evidence was unviable, pleaded guilty and was thereby convicted, leading to his spending several years in prison. The truth only surfaced when cooperating officers informed prosecutors about the planted evidence, culminating in his release.

Still deeply impacted after release and settlement

Despite his release from prison and receiving a multimillion-dollar settlement from the city after suing for his ordeal, Burley could not shake the deep-seated paranoia about the police that the incident had planted within him. This continued distrust manifested dramatically when it contributed to a series of events where Burley shot his girlfriend and subsequently engaged in a police chase in Virginia. The trauma and distrust toward law enforcement remains a persistent shadow over his life.

System unravels, eroding public trust

As revelations about the Gun Trace Task Force emerged, many cases – like that of Umar Burley – were overturned. This led to a slew of lawsuits that settled with significant financial repercussions for the city.

Many cases overturned, lawsuits settled costing city millions

The actions of the Gun Trace Task Force ha ...

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Traumatic fallout for victims like Umar Burley

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Gun Trace Task Force was a specialized unit within the Baltimore Police Department that was tasked with investigating illegal gun activity. However, the unit became embroiled in a major corruption scandal when several officers were found to be engaging in criminal activities such as robbery, extortion, and planting evidence. This scandal led to the overturning of numerous cases and significant financial settlements due to wrongful convictions linked to the unit's misconduct. The revelations surrounding the Gun Trace Task Force highlighted systemic issues within law enforcement and eroded public trust in the justice system. Efforts to reform police practices and rebuild trust have been ongoing in the aftermath of this scandal.
  • Umar Burley was wrongfully convicted after heroin was planted in his car following a police chase in northwest Baltimore that resulted in a man's death. Burley pleaded guilty based on legal advice, leading to his imprisonment for several years until the truth about the planted evidence emerged. This incident led to deep-seated paranoia and distrust towards law enforcement, impacting Burley even after his release from prison.
  • U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett issued an apology to Umar Burle ...

Counterarguments

...

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