Baltimore, Md. (December 13, 2024) – The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) announces promotions and new command changes effective December 15, 2024.

Captain Valencia Carter will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the District Commander of the Southwest District.

Captain Carter is a 21-year veteran of the BPD and currently serves as the Executive Officer of the Education and Training Section. A Baltimore native, Captain Carter has steadily advanced through the ranks, earning promotions to Sergeant in 2011, Lieutenant in 2016, and Captain in 2023. She has served in the Western District, Criminal Investigative Division, Public Integrity Bureau, and Recruitment Section. Captain Carter holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Coppin State University and a master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from Johns Hopkins University.

Captain Kurt Yourkovik will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the District Commander of the Northwest District.

Captain Yourkovik has served with the department for more than 15 years and currently serves as the Captain of the Northwest District. Born in Baltimore, he spent parts of his childhood in Hawaii and San Antonio, Texas. Captain Yourkovik began his BPD career as a patrol officer in the Western and Southern Districts and has also served with the Mobile Metro Unit (MMU) and the Chief of Patrol Office. He is a recipient of the prestigious Life-Savings Award, along with numerous commendations recognizing his exceptional service to the department and law enforcement.

Lieutenant Alfredo Cadiz-Burgos will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as Executive Officer of the Resources and Accountability Bureau.

Lieutenant Cadiz-Burgos is a 10-year veteran of the BPD and currently serves as the Executive Lieutenant to the Deputy Commissioner in the Public Integrity and Compliance Bureau. His previous assignments include Executive Lieutenant for the Chief of Detectives, and leadership roles for the Sex Offense Unit, the Western District Detective Unit and the Southwest District. He has also previously served with the Citywide Robbery Unit, Western District Action Team and Western District patrol. Lieutenant Cadiz-Burgos holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Franklin University and is pursuing a master’s degree. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s prestigious Southern Police Institute.

Lieutenant Ramone Luke will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Western District.
Lieutenant Luke joined the BPD in 2014 and began his career as a patrol officer in the Western District. Throughout his tenure, he has served in various capacities across the Operations and Compliance Bureaus, most recently as the Audits and Inspections Commander. His previous served with the Central District, Western District BCIC, Western District Patrol and the Child Abuse Unit. Lieutenant Luke holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore.

In addition to these promotions, three command staff members will transition to new assignments:

• Major Jennifer McGrath will move to the Anti-Crime Section.
• Captain Tashania Brown will move to the Northwest District.
• Captain Michael Mercado will move to the Education and Training Section.

The Department will have two bureaus, the Operations Bureau and the Resources and Accountability Bureau.

All command changes will take effect on December 15, 2024.

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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.