Baltimore, MD (June 12, 2026) - The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is pleased to announce a series of promotions and command staff assignments. These leadership changes are the result of recent retirements and promotions and are designed to strengthen the Department’s operations while advancing its commitment to public safety and service to the community.

“These promotions and leadership assignments reflect the depth of talent within our Department and will help us continue advancing our public safety goals,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “Each of these commanders have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the people of Baltimore and has earned the trust and respect of their colleagues. I look forward to their continued leadership and the positive impact they will have on our organization and the communities we serve.”

The promotions include:

Captain Christopher Merino was promoted to the rank of Major and serves as the Commanding Officer of the Eastern District. A native of Queens, New York, Major Merino is a retired United States Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and completed more than 20 years of honorable military service. With more than 22 years of service to the Baltimore Police Department, he has served in various capacities, including Executive Officer of the Public Integrity Division, the Special Operations Section, and the Eastern District. Other assignments include Shift Commander in the Southeast District, SWAT Tactical Officer, Detective in the Violent Crime Impact Division, Neighborhood Coordinating Sergeant in the Southeast District, Firearms Instructor within the Education and Training Section, and Patrol Officer in the Northeast District. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia College. (Major Merino was promoted in March 2026.)

Captain Jeffrey DiPaola was promoted to the rank of Major and serves as the Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Section (SOS). Captain DiPaola is a dedicated officer who has served the Baltimore Police Department for 20 years. He has worked in various roles, such as Executive Officer of SOS, Captain and Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff, Northwest District patrol, Detective in the Violent Crimes Impact Section/Division, and SWAT team member and leader for eight years. He oversaw the SHIELD unit in the Criminal intelligence section and is a recipient of two Commendation Awards, two Unit Citations and 12 Letters of Commendation. He is also a recent graduate of the 21^st-century policing leadership program. (Major DiPaola was promoted in May 2026).

Captain Alfredo Cadiz-Burgos will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the Commanding Officer of the Southeast District. He joined the Department in 2014 and brings a wealth of operational, investigative, training, and executive leadership experience to this role. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of assignments across the Department, most recently as a Captain in the Education and Training Section, where he was responsible for helping develop and prepare the next generation of Baltimore police officers. Other assignments include Executive Lieutenant and Officer to the Deputy Commissioner of the Resources and Accountability Bureau, and Lieutenant with the Northern District, Sex Offense Unit and the Western District Detective Unit. He holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in criminal justice administration from Franklin University and is a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.

Lieutenant Ryan Beaver was promoted to the rank of Captain and serves as the Executive Officer of the Central District. He has served the Department since 2012, beginning his career as a Patrol Officer in the Southeast District. Captain Beaver previously served in the Central District as a Sergeant, the Southern District as a Lieutenant, and Northeastern District as the Executive Lieutenant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Mount St. Mary's University. (Captain Beaver was promoted in April 2026). 

Lieutenant Jennifer Cox was promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of Special Operations Section. Lt. Cox has been with BPD since 2006, beginning her career as a cadet in central records. After graduating from the police academy, she began her career in the Southern District, serving with the Patrol Sector, Narcotics Unit, Bike Patrol Unit, Neighborhood Services Unit and Crime Analyst in the Report Management Section. In 2020, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served with the Northern District and later with the Group Violence Unit. As a Lieutenant, she served with the Northeastern District and was later assigned as the executive lieutenant in the Chief of Patrol’s Office. (Captain Cox was promoted in May 2026).

Lieutenant Alan Woods will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Homeland Security Section. Born and raised in Baltimore, Lt. Woods has served with the Department for 19 years. He has worked in various assignments within Patrol, Investigative Narcotics, and multiple units within the Criminal Investigations Division. He has overseen BPD’s Missing Persons, Internet Crimes against Children, SHIELD, Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Terrorism Units. He has served, and continues to serve, as a Federal Task Force Officer with multiple federal law enforcement agencies. He has received awards from both federal and state agencies and received a mayoral award in recognition of his investigations.

Lieutenant Denishia Jordan will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Northwestern District. Beginning her career in 2009, Lt. Jordan has served in multiple capacities within the Department to include patrol operations and criminal investigations. She most recently served as the Unit Commander of the Southwest District Detective Unit. Lt. Jordan has completed extensive leadership and investigative training, including the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy, Women in Leadership, and numerous specialized law enforcement programs. She holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice administration and is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree in management and leadership. 

Additionally, several command staff will move to new assignments throughout the Department:

Major Albert DellaRocco will serve as the Major of the Recruitment Section.

Captain Tavon Adams is serving as the Executive Officer of the Eastern District (as of April 2026).

Captain Adam Lattanzi is serving as the Executive Officer of the Citywide Investigations Section (as of April 2026).

Captain Lisa Cornish will serve as Captain in the Public Integrity Division. 

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