Baltimore, MD. (July 1, 2025) – In 2025, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) continues to see double-digit reductions in gun violence, including a 22% decrease in homicides (68 in 2025 v. 88 in 2024) and a 19% decrease in non-fatal shootings (164 in 2025 v. 204 in 2024). Group A National Incident Based-Reporting System (NIBRS) offenses are down 11%, with many categories down by double digits. Additionally, the clearance rates for homicides and citywide investigations to include non-fatal shootings, robberies, burglaries and more, are significantly above the national average.

“Recent high-profile incidents remind us that there is still work to be done to improve our department and rebuild trust with our communities,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “This year’s mid-year report highlights meaningful progress in reducing crime, hiring more officers, advancing Consent Decree compliance and addressing quality-of-life concerns. Baltimore is a safer city today, and I’m proud of the dedication shown by our officers, community members and all of our partners in working together towards that goal. We will continue to strengthen community policing efforts, build trust and stay focused on reducing gun violence and crime in our neighborhoods.”

120 suspects have been arrested for homicides and non-fatal shootings, with the homicide clearance rate currently at 64%, not including open warrants for six additional suspects. And the non-fatal shooting clearance rate is 44%, which is more than 20% higher than BPD’s 10-year average.

In April, the Department announced several organizational changes that have aided in operational efficiencies and effectiveness. With the new Youth and Community Partnerships Division, the Department has focused on tracking quantitative and qualitative data to better measures of community policing to ensure compliance with the consent decree, and inclusion of strategies to support District Crime Plans and outreach efforts.

Following the creation of the new Crime Strategies and Intelligence Division, the agency has streamlined data collection, analysis and dissemination processes to ensure actionable intelligence is quickly accessible to all operational units. By centralizing our intelligence functions, the BPD is following national best practices and doubling down on our commitment to more innovative and data-driven policing that prioritizes public safety and accountability.

“Our continued progress is the direct result of the comprehensive, evidence-based public safety strategy that we have implemented in partnership with residents,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I want to acknowledge the leadership of our community violence intervention ecosystem, MONSE, the men and women of BPD, our regional law enforcement agencies, and our partners in the State Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Attorney General. But our work is far from over. 68 lives lost to violence is 68 too many. While we acknowledge the historic lows we are experiencing, we must simultaneously acknowledge that there is much more work to do and our success makes me commit even further to doing it.”

2025 Mid-Year Key Highlights:

• Police Officer Trainee applications and hiring of new Police Officer Trainees have both nearly doubled, and cadet hiring has nearly tripled.  Police Officer Trainees from Baltimore City now account for 37% of our new hires.

 

• Rebranded and expanded the capacity of our Jr. Cadet program (we currently have 64 cadets representing 20 Baltimore High Schools) and developing our Youth Advisory Board, to include the youth voice on policies and practices that impact public safety, community engagement and the future of policing in Baltimore.

 

• Juvenile victims of homicide are down 71% (2 in 2025 v. 7 in 2024).

 

• Achieved full and effective compliance with two sections of the Consent Decree (Transport and Health & Wellness) and began the sustainment period for three other areas (Community Oversight Taskforce, First Amendment Protected Activity & School Police).

 

• The Department has seized more than 1300 firearms and 150 ghost guns, averaging seven-gun seizures a day. 

 

• Expansion of the Victim Services Unit (VSU) to serve victims of sex offenses and felony aggravated assaults, to include onboarding nine additional professional team members assigned to VSU.

 

• BPD’s Crime Lab was recognized as a top-performing forensic laboratory, receiving the prestigious 2024 FORESIGHT Maximus Award and being recognized for operating at or above 90% peak efficiency.

 

• Creation of new unit, Missing and Exploited Persons Unit (MEPU), which has assisted in increased enforcement efforts on Human Trafficking (HT), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICSC) and Missing Persons cases. MEPU has initiated 24 HT/ICAC cases compared to just eight this time last year and have made 24 arrests compared to seven, this time last year.

 

• The Compliance Division completed 20 audits and inspections on topics including, Transport, Procedural Justice, Pro-active Enforcement Units, Youth and Behavioral Health interactions. Additionally, the division revised seven policies, published multiple reports, conducted six performance review boards and participated in two sentinel event reviews with city agencies and behavioral health partners.

 

• The Officer Safety and Wellness Section assisted and provided support to more than 160 BPD members.

 

• Hiring 85 new professional members within the Department.

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BPD Mission Statement

The Baltimore Police Department is dedicated to upholding the Constitution and enforcing laws in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner. We commit to creating and maintaining a culture of service that builds trust and legitimacy in all communities, values the sanctity of human life, and provides for the safety and well-being of all.