Baltimore, MD (April 17, 2025) -- The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is announcing a series of command promotions and organizational changes aimed at enhancing departmental efficiency and operational effectiveness.

As part of these changes, BPD has established two new divisions and implemented a strategic restructuring within several of its existing bureaus. These updates are accompanied by a number of promotions to fill vacancies created by recent retirements and to support the department’s evolving structure.

The Promotions Include:

Chief Erin Murphy has been promoted to Chief of Staff and Government Affairs. She most recently served as Director of Government Affairs and has also held roles as Chief Counsel in the State’s Attorney’s Office and as a Partner at Silverman Thompson. Chief Murphy is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she also served as an Adjunct Professor.

Chief Lisa Reynolds has been promoted to Chief of the new Youth and Community Partnerships Division. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Juvenile Booking and Services. Before joining BPD, she held several senior roles at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, including Executive Director of Intake and Pre-Adjudication Services, Community Operations, and Community Detention. She is a graduate of Kent State University and the University of Baltimore.

Lieutenant Colonel Jason Bennett has been promoted to Area 3 Commander. Lt. Col. Bennett most recently served as Major of the Southern District and has more than 20 years of service to the department. He is a U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran and a graduate of the University of Arizona Global Campus and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Major Albert DellaRocco has been promoted to District Commander of the Southeast District. Since joining BPD in 1999, Major DellaRocco has served as Captain and Executive Officer in the Southeast District, as well as Rangemaster in the Education & Training Firearms Unit and as a SWAT team leader and Sergeant.

Major Henrietta Middleton has been promoted to District Commander of the Southern District. She has served with BPD for 18 years and most recently served as Captain of both the Northern and Western Districts. Major Middleton attended Morgan State University, where she studied Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology.

Captain Gregory Edleman has been promoted to Executive Officer of Citywide Investigations. Captain Edleman has served with the Department for more than 11 years and previously served as Lieutenant with the Northwest and Western District Detective Units. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and has received unit citations in 2019 and 2020.

Additional Appointments and Assignments:

Colonel Ryan Lee will be the Chief of Patrol. He previously served as Chief of Detectives and brings over 22 years of law enforcement experience from the Boise Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau. He is a graduate of California State University and Boston University.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Velte will lead the newly formed Crime Strategies and Intelligence Division. A 30-year veteran of the Department, Lt. Colonel Velte most recently oversaw the Group Violence and Anti-Crime Section. His past assignments include Major of the Southern District, Captain in the Western District and various roles in patrol and investigations. He is a recipient of the Silver Star for Valor and the Legion of Merit awards.

Olivia “Sunny” Schnitzer has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning and Special Projects within the Resources and Accountability Bureau. She previously served with the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice and as Deputy Mayor of Public Safety for the City of Baltimore. She holds degrees from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the University of Pennsylvania.

Major Arnold Jenkins will serve as Major of the new Youth and Community Partnerships Division.

Major Jennifer McGrath will serve as Major of a new Operational Intelligence Section.

Major Keira Saunders will serve as Major of the Northern District.

Captain Christopher Merino will serve as Captain of the Special Investigations Response Team and Administration Section of the Public Integrity Division.

Captain Daniel Popp will serve as Captain of the Investigations Section of the Public Integrity Division.

“These promotions and changes will undoubtedly improve our operational effectiveness and foster greater accountability, collaboration and innovation across the Department,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “These new approaches will enhance our ability to sustain and expand upon historic reductions in homicides and shootings, and other violent crimes, while reinforcing our commitment to reducing harm and building trust with the communities we serve. Centralizing our intelligence functions and streamlining our processes is not just an operational shift—it is a commitment to more innovative, data-driven policing that prioritizes public safety and accountability.”

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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.

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