Baltimore, Maryland (July 24, 2025) - The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is announcing several new promotions and command changes effective July 27, 2025. These promotions will fill vacancies created by recent retirements and support the department’s mission.

The promotions include:

Lieutenant Colonel John “Jack” Herzog will be promoted to rank of Colonel and will oversee the Criminal Investigation Division. With over 18 years of experience, including nine years in command positions and more than six years at the executive level, Lieutenant Colonel Herzog has served in a wide range of operational and investigative assignments. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of the Citywide Investigations Division (CWID), which oversees investigations into non-fatal shootings, robberies, burglaries, serious assaults, fugitive apprehension and stolen vehicles. Under Lieutenant Colonel Herzog’s leadership, the CWID achieved significantly higher clearance rates in all major crime categories, exceeding national averages. Some of his previous assignments include Deputy Chief of Patrol, Major of the Homicide Section and Anti-Crime Section and Captain of the Southwest District. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Strategic Management from Boston University. His leadership training includes the Senior Management Institute for Police, a certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership from the University of Maryland University College and participation in The Leadership (Baltimore City) 2023 cohort.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Velte will be promoted to the rank of Colonel and will remain in command of the Crime Strategies and Intelligence Division. As a 30-year veteran of the Department, Colonel Velte will continue leading the Operational Intelligence, Homeland Security and Data-Driven Strategies Sections. Furthermore, he oversees the Group Violence Reduction Strategy in partnership with our law enforcement partners, which has contributed to significant reductions in homicides and non-fatal shootings. Lieutenant Colonel Velte previous 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. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore.

Major Matt Corell will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and will oversee Area 3 within the Chief of Patrol’s Office. Major Corell is a 28-year veteran of the BPD and served most of his career in the Patrol Division. He previously served in the Central, Western, Northwest and Northeast Districts. Major Corell most recently served as the commander of the Education and Training Section, which houses the Police Academy. He also served in roles as an Academy Instructor and Policy Writer in the Written Directives Unit. He was promoted to Captain in 2022, serving as the Executive Officer of the Western District and was then promoted to Major of Western District in 2023. Major Corell was born and raised in southwest Baltimore and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps; with two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Johns Hopkins University and is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI’s National Academy.

Major Paul Sinchak will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and will oversee Area 1 within the Chief of Patrol’s Office. He is a 16-year veteran of the BPD and previously served as the Commanding Officer of the Central District, working closely with community and business partners throughout the district. His previous assignments include the Chief of Patrol’s Office, Westside Initiative, Central District, Southwest District, Tactical Section’s Bomb Squad, K9 Unit, Mobile Metro Unit, and Underwater Recovery Team. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology & Sociology from Towson University, a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Maryland University College and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Leadership from The Citadel - Military College of South Carolina. During his tenure he has received numerous recognitions, including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two lifesaving awards.

Deputy Director Jennifer Moran was promoted to Laboratory Director and oversees the Forensic Laboratory Section. With 19 years of experience, Ms. Moran has been a Serologist, DNA Analyst, Technical Leader, Forensic Biology Supervisor, Deputy Director, and now Director. She has led several key projects to include implementing new services and technologies, resolving backlog and turnaround times, while navigating a rapidly changing forensic science landscape. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a master’s in forensic science from Towson University. She is also an adjunct professor at Towson University, is an assessor for the ANSI National Accreditation Board, and is certified by the American Board of Criminalistics.  (Director Moran was promoted in early July 2025)

Captain Tashania Brown will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the Commanding Officer of the Northeast District. A Jamaican native, Major Brown has served with the BPD for 19 years. She has served as the Captain and Executive Officer in the Northwest District and the Performance Standards Sections for the past two years. Her previous assignments include four years as the Use of Force Assessment Unit Lieutenant in the Compliance Bureau, the Chief of Patrol’s Office, Eastern District, Northern District, Northeastern District and the Inspections Unit. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Coppin State University and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Captain Michael A. Mercado will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the Commanding Officer of the Southwest District. Captain Mercado has served the BPD for 15 years and previously he served as a Soldier in the U.S. Army. His previous assignments include serving with the Northern District overseeing the District Detective Unit and District Action Team, and the Northeast and Western Districts. Most recently, he served as the Executive Officer of the Education and Training Section. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). He is also a graduate of PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). Captain Mercado received numerous recognitions and awards, including the United States Attorney's Certificate of Commendation and the Deputy Operations Commissioner's Commendatory Certificate.

Captain Scott Swenson will be promoted to the rank of Major and will serve as the Commanding Officer of the Central District. Major Swenson has served with the BPD for 24 years and most recently served as Captain of the Northeast District. He joined the Department in 2001 and was assigned to Southeastern District Patrol. During this time his Marine Corps Infantry Unit was activated, and he served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned to BPD and continued to serve within the Patrol Division. He previously served with the Department’s SWAT Team, Central District, Education & Training Section and the Use of Force Assessment Unit. He also served as the Executive Officer of the Eastern District. He has received a Life Saving Award and two Unit Citations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Shippensburg University and a Master of Science in Management from Johns Hopkins University. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.

Lieutenant Lisa Cornish will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Northwest District. Lieutenant Cornish is a lifelong Baltimorean who has served with the BPD since 2001. She began her career as a Patrol Officer in the Northern District and has served with the Internal Affairs Division, Special Investigations Response Team (SIRT) and the Western District. Lieutenant Cornish holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Lieutenant Albert J. Rotell will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Northern District. He has served with the BPD since 2002, starting his career in patrol in the Southern District. His previous assignments include District Detective Unit, Advanced Technical Team, Northwest District, Administrative Duties Division, Southwest District and Records Management Section. Lieutenant Rotell holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Lieutenant Melvin Santiago was promoted to the rank of Captain and serves as the Executive Officer of the Southeast District. He has served with the department since 2003, following honorable service in the United States Marine Corps. Captain Santiago began his career in the Southern District and his other assignments include Citywide Narcotics Unit, Southern and Northern Districts and the Chief of Patrol’s Office. He holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Gateway Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Herzing University. (Captain Santiago was promoted in May 2025)

Lieutenant Christopher Warren will be promoted to the rank of Captain and will serve as the Executive Officer of the Southwestern District. Lieutenant Warran is Baltimore native and enlisted in the U.S. Army, following his graduation from Patterson High School. He joined the BPD in 1998 and began as a patrol officer in the Southwest District. He previously served with the Northeast District, Special Operations Section, the Mobile Enforcement Unit, the Dirt Bike Task Force and Mobile Metro Unit. He most recently served as the Executive Lieutenant overseeing the Pawn Shop Unit, Regional Auto Theft Task Force, Crime Gun Intelligence Center and the Citywide Enforcement Team.

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

Lieutenant Colonel Edwards will oversee Area 2 in the Chief of Patrol’s Office.

Major Valencia Carter will serve as the Major of the Education & Training Section.

Major JoAnn Wallace will serve as the Major of the Administrative Duties and Recruitment Section.

Captain Alfredo Cadiz-Burgos will serve as the Captain in the Education & Training Section.

Captain Jeffrey DiPaola will serve as the Captain in the Special Operations Section.

Captain Adam Lattanzi will serve as the Captain in the Eastern District.

Captain Bill Shiflett will serve as the Captain in the Northeast District.

 

“These promotions and changes will strengthen our Department and assist in furthering our public safety mission,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “I have worked alongside many of these commanders, and they have served our city with honor, integrity and distinction. Each of them represents the many talented and dedicated people that serve, and I am thankful for their ongoing contributions and leadership in service.”

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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.