The Consent Decree between the City of Baltimore and the Department of Justice requires the BPD to disclose to the public, the acquisition of any new type of equipment or technology that will be used in enforcement activities or oversight of such activities. The disclosure will include: (1) the type of new equipment or technology sought; and (2) BPD’s intended use of the equipment. BPD shall make these disclosures prior to deploying the equipment or technology.

After exploring the market and reviewing multiple Early Intervention Systems (EIS) through a competitive bid process, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has selected Benchmark Analytics to advance its current internal processes and supervisory technology platforms. Benchmark Analytics is a computerized database system that will provide supervisors and Command with alerts about officer performance as compared to that of officer peer group members, including, but not limited to, when an officer potentially requires intervention from a supervisor, Education & Training (E&T), and/or Officer Safety and Wellness (OSW). Benchmark Analytics will utilize existing BPD performance indicators, such as uses of force, misconduct complaints, training history, use of sick leave and others to determine whether an intervention is warranted.

Officer alerts and resulting interventions derived from the EIS technology solution are intended to be supportive of the member’s safety and wellness, and not disciplinary in nature.

The new Benchmark Analytics system will advance reforms required under the Consent Decree, particularly Consent Decree paragraphs 312-327, which address EIS requirements, as well as other paragraphs related to supervision.

The contract cost Benchmark Analytics licensing, implementation, configuration, training and ongoing support is approximately $2.5 million over the life of the five-year contract.

The Board of Estimates approval was on 9/6/2023.

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Crime Scene Unit and SWAT Team plan to begin using sUAS (“drone”) technology during crime scene management and as a tool during high-risk tactical situations.

BPD’s Crime Scene Unit (CSU) is acquiring small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to support crime scene investigations. These units will be utilized to document outdoor crime scenes through aerial photography/videography, 2D mapping & 3D modeling. The sUAS will provide a more efficient, effective and safer alternative for the CSU to document crime scenes, and will present a true and accurate representation of the scene for investigators and for use in a court of law.

BPD’s SWAT Team is acquiring small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to support in assembling information and apprehending suspects in high risk tactical situations such as hostage rescues, active shooter response and apprehending barricaded persons. The sUAS will provide SWAT Team members with a tool that will enhance situational awareness and minimize risk of death and/or serious bodily injury during high risk operations.

Only CSU and SWAT Team members who have received their FAA Remote Pilot Certification (14 CFR Part 107) will be authorized to complete missions for BPD.

• Policy 1512: Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
• Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Drones) Frequently Asked Questions
• 2024 Flight Logs

The City of Baltimore has contracted with Teletrac Navman to install its GPS fleet management software, DIRECTOR®, into fleet vehicles. The City's Department of General Services (DGS), in collaboration with BPD, is in the process of installing the software, which provides vehicle location monitoring, speed, safety analytics, and maintenance reporting.

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has acquired Nighthawk LEOVision to support criminal investigations. Developed by Radix Metasystems, Nighthawk is a software tool designed for law enforcement to streamline investigation-derived data from a variety of providers in order to clearly and efficiently establish connections and patterns. BPD’s criminal investigators will be able to organize and tailor all of the data related to a case with custom marking, labelling, bookmarking, and interactive mapping which will allow them to more easily account for case artifacts.

After exploring the market and reviewing multiple applications for a learning, education, and training management system, the Law Enforcement Training Management Ecosystem project was coined as the LETME Learn project, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has selected Envisage Technologies’ Acadis Readiness Suite. BPD currently develops and tracks training through different formats. With the implementation of Acadis, BPD will be able to organize and track training curriculum, creation, delivery, and completion in one system; students and command will have their records and registration at their fingertips; and administrators will be able to analyze training at the individual and group levels. In addition to the education side of training, Acadis also provides portals that use resource management information, such as facility capabilities and instructor availability, for more efficient distribution and scheduling.

The new LETME project will advance reforms required under the Consent Decree.

The contract cost for Acadis implementation, configuration, and training, as well as 5 years of licenses is $1,375,000 and will be funded by BPD Technology Improvement Capital Funds.

The Board of Estimates approval was on 7/22/2020.

The BOE agenda can be found here.

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) plans to deploy a new group messaging tool called Evertel to enhance the way department members communicate critical information internally. Evertel is a collaborative communications platform designed for law enforcement and first responders. The software allows users to quickly and securely communicate using their mobile phone, iPad, desktop, or laptop computer. The benefits of this collaborative communication tool include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Provides a secure communications platform
• Designed for use mobile phones (iOS or Android), personal or department desktops, and laptops
• Stores all communications data
• BPD can easily distribute real-time agency alerts
• Enables real-time communications in times of need

The department reviewed its requirements and selected Evertel at a cost of $48,000/year. Deploying this secure, collaborative communication platform quickly will allow all BPD members to instantly and securely share crime intelligence and safety information across all divisions and work units in real-time.

After seeking requests for proposal, the vendor Cognyte Software, LP was identified to provide the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) with a Cell Site Simulator.

Cell Site Simulators are devices that mimic a cell tower and capture identifying information of electronic devices (e.g. cell phones and tablets in the range of the device). 

Before use, the investigator must obtain a court order authorizing or directing the use of a cell site simulator per Maryland Code Criminal Law Article §1–203.1, and the application shall set forth the basis for probable cause. For exigent circumstances, BPD may use a cell site simulator for a period not to exceed 48 hours. Examples of exigent circumstances are those to assist in locating victims or suspects of serious crimes (e.g. kidnapping, vulnerable or suicidal missing persons) or with express consent of the user or owner of the device. For exigent circumstances, investigators shall seek permission from the court to authorize utilization of the equipment as soon as practical under the circumstances, and in no case later than the next business day. Only data captured that a search and seizure warrant allows will be retained.

The contract cost for Cognyte, LP is $920,000 with a term of one-year with two, one-year renewal options.

The Board of Estimates hearing is scheduled for August 24, 2022.

The BOE Agenda can be found here.

The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has acquired the Wolfftracker Motion Sensor device for high-risk warrant services, hostage/barricade incidents, and other tactical incidents involving BPD SWAT. Wolfftracker is a small tool that uses Doppler radar to detect movement through barriers such as walls. Being able to detect the presence or absence of individuals prior to entry by SWAT will increase safety and the likelihood of a positive outcome. Wolfftracker will only be used by SWAT members during tactical situations. Fourth amendment concerns are mitigated by either the exigency required for its use or a signed search and seizure warrant. It does not collect or store any information or data.

Wolfftracker is manufactured by the Mistral Inc. The cost is $4,999.20 and is funded through General Funds.