Baltimore, Md. (Jan. 12, 2024) – The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) announces Phase 2 of its structural re-organization initiative, effective Jan. 14, 2024.

In alignment with Commissioner Richard Worley’s strategic and tactical plans to reorganize the BPD to carry out efficient, successful community policing, the following promotions will be enacted:

Major Nicholas Edwards will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, overseeing Area 1.

Major Edwards joined the Department in 1996. He was assigned to the Mobile Enforcement Team and the Organized Crime Division before being promoted to Sergeant. He previously served as Captain and Major in the Robbery-Homicide Section.

Captain David Brust will be promoted to the rank of Major in Homicide.

Captain Brust joined the Department in 2008 and most recently served as Captain of the Special Investigation Division.

Captain Alberto Colon will be promoted to the rank of Major to be the District Commander of the Southeastern District.

Captain Colon has been with the Department for more than 17 years. Prior to joining the BPD, he worked for 10 years with the State Police in his native Puerto Rico. He most recently served as the Executive Officer of the Central District.

Captain Arnold Jenkins will be promoted to the rank of Major to be the District Commander of the Northern District.

Captain Jenkins joined the Department in 2012. He has served in the Community and Youth Services Division, the Group Violence Unit and, most recently, as Captain in the Compliance Bureau.

Lieutenant Tavon Adams will become the Captain in the Central District.

Lt. Adams joined the Department in 2001. He became a Sergeant in 2018 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2021.

Lieutenant Albert DellaRocco will become Captain of the Southeastern District.

Lt. DellaRocco joined the BPD in 1999. He most recently served as Rangemaster in the Education & Training Firearms Unit. He has also served as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team leader and Sergeant.

Karen Tyler will become the Director of Human Resources. She joined the Department in 2019 and most recently served as the Deputy Director of Human Resources.

Chrischelle Roman-Taylor will become the Deputy Director of Human Resources. She rejoined the Department in 2022 following an earlier stint with the BPD. She most recently served as Human Resources Business Partner.

Several organizational changes will also be enacted:

Major Derek Loeffler will be moving to the Office of the Police Commissioner.

Major Azalee Johnson will oversee Administrative Duties Division and Recruitment.

Major Danita Boyd will move to the Special Investigations Section.

Major Keira Saunders will move to the Northwestern District as its District Commander.

Captain Ryan Felker will move to the District Detective Unit.

Captain Michael Newton will move to Homicide.

"These changes reflect my continuing efforts to streamline our processes and daily functions. Combined with the earlier restructuring, this optimizes the Department to do more with less," said Commissioner Worley. "New positions and promotions are specifically designed to address staffing shortages, mentor future leaders, align skillsets and benefit from experience and institutional knowledge."

Additionally, Chief of Staff Michelle Wirzberger is departing her position at BPD for a new role as Deputy Executive Secretary with the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City. Her replacement has not yet been named.

Chief Wirzberger has been with the Baltimore Police Department for six years, where she served as Chief of the Consent Decree Implementation Unit, Director of Legislative Affairs and, most recently, Chief of Staff.

“It has been the highlight of my professional career to support the brave men and women who work so hard to keep us safe and the professional members who strive to make BPD run efficiently. If I have left the agency better than I found it, it is because I have been blessed to work with one of the most talented and hardest-working teams in Baltimore,” said Chief Wirzberger.

“Michelle was instrumental in facilitating a smooth transition for me,” said Commissioner Worley. “While I am sorry to see her go, I have no doubt she will excel in her next leadership position.”

All command changes go into effect Jan. 14, 2024.

Also see: BPD announces organizational changes and command promotions

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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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